Balsa Composite Sandwich

[Surfdad]

Just thought I'd share the final result. Vacuum bagged 1# EPS core, 2 oz e glass bottom and between the EPS and Balsa, 4 oz s glass on top. Total weight with traction is 4 lbs 3 oz, naked it was 3 pounds and some odd ounces. EXCEPTIONALLY light.

The wood is such a sweet look.

[dogbert]

Very nice! The wood really does look sweet!

[chpthril]

That thing looks cool, Surf, how's it ride.

[Surfdad]

Thanks guys,

The wood has such a distinctive look. The ride was superior. I was hoping that James would get a chance to ride it, that would be the true test, but he JUST got over a nasty flu and yesterday he was going to a winter formal dance at his school - something about a GIRLFRIEND all dressed up that is more important than wakesurfing?! Go figure. Anyway, hopefully next weekend he'll ride it.

The wood has sort of a "twang" to it. So when you load it up going into a turn, it twangs and shoots you forward. It's great fun. Also being that it is so light - my Walzer is probably the lightest board we had prior and that was pushing 6 pounds with fins and traction - the balsa board is very responsive. You can push it around with ease.

Great fun.

[sacnvr2l8]

that is one nice looking board....but if i had to wear a parka while posing for pictures with it I would think its too cold to ride...buuuurrrrrrrrrr

[Lunchbox]

that is one nice looking board....but if i had to wear a parka while posing for pictures with it I would think its too cold to ride...buuuurrrrrrrrrr

Don't forget the moon boots...

[Surfdad]

Yeah it was freezing! Water temp of 55'ish and the air was around 45'ish when we started. My lovely wife Judy is such a trooper, but she does NOT get in the water - or cold for that matter She wore a parka, and those fur line boots! Sometimes she wears waterproof ski pants over her sweats.

[Jason B]

I can't decide which I'm more impressed with--the very impressive board or being in water that cold!!

Looks awesome! Great job, where do we get ours

[typerider]

good looking board. looks fun.

[Surfdad]

Thanks guys,

I should show the next build step by step here on TO.com. The next one will have some unique patterns in the bottom skin.

[LovinPowell]

Yeah it was freezing! Water temp of 55'ish and the air was around 45'ish when we started. My lovely wife Judy is such a trooper, but she does NOT get in the water - or cold for that matter She wore a parka, and those fur line boots! Sometimes she wears waterproof ski pants over her sweats.

55ish + 45ish = 100ish so Tall's rule of 100 applies, you're good to go. Nice looking board, Surfdad you're my hero.

[Surfdad]

Thanks guys...the Balsa really does have a great look. The outline cut from the skinned blank pictured above:

[da.bell]

Is the glass bringing out the color of the wood? Have you thought about using a stain on the wood to get a different color on in? Would it even work well or would the balsa burn to mush?

Sorry, a lot of questions. Are you still boating at New Hogans? We were out on Thanksgiving and the water temps were about that level also. Wasn't back with a full wetsuit with a total of 6mm in the chest area.

[Surfdad]

Hey da.bell,

Actually there is no exterior glass on that in-process board. The balsa skin is attached to the 1# EPS core with 2 oz eglass and epoxy. It's in a 1 to 1 resin to glass matrix.

Interestingly enough that is the crappy C grade balsa that the R/C model folks don't want It has the great color and some knots, but also like you are seeing - it's almost like a sheen from the raw wood. When I do the final lamination, the wood gets a bit darker.

On a tech note, the diagonals in the pattern have some performance attributes. A orientation of the grain of the skins against the force of the wake, resists flexing the most. An orientation with the force offers the most flex and the diagonal orientation offers a medium flex, but also, it tends to redirect the bending or flex down the length of the skin along the orientation of the the grain.

We are still hitting New Hogan, although I'm using a half drysuit at this point. It's COLD!

[Jason B]

So the lip doesn't curl up? The board is flat across the entire thing?




ps....time for new furniture