I think its time to add a >10 footer to my quiver and was thinking of a DIY hollow timber job. Now assuming I can build it well and the materials good I was wondering are these kits designed by anyone with any surfboard building knowledge? It would be a shme to spend a heap of time and money building a board that was a lump of ****e.
Has anyone had any experience with the kits available in Australia?

Steve

It depends on what you want OlSteve, Riley do a kit that is focused around there type of construction - chambered balsa, I think Grown do a hollow timber construction kit and also there are a lot of different "kits" that you can get online as well - most just the plans and you source your desired timber +/- marine ply for internal fishbone structure.
If its a 10+ board + wood it is going to be pretty heavy that is going to influence the performance of the board. Also the kits are typically only for the board construction you then have to glass it yourself - which is also another skillset altogether!!!!
but that being said its pretty special to finally finish and get to surf a board you have made 100% yourself.

The tree to sea forum is a great reference if you are keen to do it all yourself

cheers

PM Roy Stuart.

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Cobra said..
PM Roy Stuart.

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Cobra said..
PM Roy Stuart.

Me old mate Roy haven't seen him round the points recently. which has been great.

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chrispthekiwi said..

Cobra said..
PM Roy Stuart.

Me old mate Roy haven't seen him round the points recently. which has been great.

Hes probably busy telling people hes the only one that knows anything and that they are idiots if they disagree with him

Hey Steve,

My thoughts if you were going to do a big board like a 10 footer is find yourself a weekend class and do it there so you get a good finished product first time then you are flying. As you are wanting a big board the timber can be expensive(balsa or paulownia) Check out Sturart Bywater of Bywater Design, he is based ion Brisbane and does about 4 or 5 weekend classes per year and does a lot of longboards. Will cost you more but it is a special experience and you will get a kick ass board in the end.

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McHenry said..
Hey Steve,

My thoughts if you were going to do a big board like a 10 footer is find yourself a weekend class and do it there so you get a good finished product first time then you are flying. As you are wanting a big board the timber can be expensive(balsa or paulownia) Check out Sturart Bywater of Bywater Design, he is based ion Brisbane and does about 4 or 5 weekend classes per year and does a lot of longboards. Will cost you more but it is a special experience and you will get a kick ass board in the end.

I second what McHenry said above.

Tom Wegener is offering shaping classes for his corkys and you stay at his house. Check his website out.

Thanks lads, i will scope it out

Ok i am going to run with the Bywater Design June/July 4 day class. Now i just need to decide how big to go? I have a 9'2" ECS, 9'4" Mark Rabadge Team board (ex Ray Lawrence) and my new board in the avatar is a 9'6" Peter Shelly. I have tried them all as a single fin and i hated the slow feel. I love the 2+1 ride. Love doing turns.
Anyway, i understand a timbe rboard will be no HP board but how big should i go before they become too big? Was thinking maybe 11 foot?

steve

I had a 9'8" Riley balsa and that was bigarse board - hollow wood is a little less weight but at 11' that would be a brute if you "love doing turns" etc that sized wooden board is not gonna tick your boxes. But if you want to cruise then maybe a 11' wooden board is the go