Done and tested.


Glued the fabric on.




At full inflation pressure its got a 10 mm rise.






I think its faster than the double hull version so this is a step forward.
And having the fabric with less curve feels better too. I think thats because it presents a flatter curve to the water.
Theres a lot of questions as to whether the fabric should be loose or taut or a combo of each and where...
Inflation levels are low because it loses the pliability when its pumped up too high so the basic plastic inflation valve is fine.

I'll do some more testing on this one and then do another with a few mods and then its on to converting a windsurfer. Im in Sydney over Xmas, anyone got an old board they want to donate ?

If nothing else it should be more comfortable in chop.... and that usually helps speed.

Thats what Im feeling with the test rides, its smoooth rather than bone jarring. Like the diff between driving at speed on a new road Vs over a rutted track.
And if the ride is smoother everything should be easier..
It might add 10% to the top speed but thats not a bad increase just by changing equipment.
Found a better fabric too, the red and blue just isnt up to standard...
The new material is a UV marine product that comes in a dozen funky colours.
A mate suggested " Hoverboard " as a name for this design because the board doesnt actually touch the water !
Need to make 2 more prototypes just to check a few modifications before I make a speed board.

To answer questions from a few PMs...
The new material comes from Bainbridge Int. 273 Harbord Rd, Brookvale,2100, (02) 99381788. Its called Bainflate 210, comes in a dozen funky colours for those who like a bit of fashion with their form and function...
Its UV resist and only $13.95 a linear metre.
A thicker material would be more robust but its the pliability of the material thats the key feature for this application.
Email their sales at sales@bainbridgeint.com.au or browse their cattledog at www.bainbridgeint.com

I got a small sample of the tasteful Flouro Yellow.



Those of you with kids know what happens when you put something new on the floor in front of a child...



Aw son, can you get off daddys board please ? Great balance tho..



The current red and blue material just isnt up to the quality marine grade that the Bainbridge material is. The red material stretches and warps and its not good. Ive cut corners before with kiteboard builds and ended up swimming to shore and Im not doing that anymore. Near-death swims at dusk because I tried to save a $ or two.... idiot.

The Bainflate is a nylon / PVC so it will glue with the PVC glue Im using thats used by professional inflatable boat builders called PA 5000 from PCA Barnham, 17 Campbell Street, Artarmon, Sydney. (02) 94360259
Its $20/litre or $40 for 4 litres + catalyst. PA 5000 sticks like poo to a blanket. Its quality that the pros trust.

When I shape the hull I take away the depth of the inflated fabric from the overall thickness of the board so its no thicker than a standard board when finished. Plus theres the rocker concave in the tail I mentioned earlier.

I did make a flexible deck Hoverboard earlier this year...
but it has a flexible deck and hull.



Vacbag Innegra/glass/epoxy over an EPS foam rim. Just under 1kg finished.







Deckside.



Hull.



The boy wants to test everything I make.









Floats like a cork. Cheers, Ultimats.

Wow great pictures, thanks so much for posting

I'm following this one with great interest, hanging for when you build a windsurfer and someone can stick a GPS on

Perhaps for a test board, it might be best to copy a board that already exists, with the exception of changing the bottom to an inflatable one? That way you would be able to "back to back" the two boards on the same day in the same conditions, to try to isolate some variables -- that way you could have the same sailor, with the same sail, same fin, same bottom shape and the only difference is your amazing inflatable hull. I'd be really interested to see the result of that test

I reckon youve nailed it there Nebbian, I'll have to get 2 identical boards, modify one and then test ride both to compare.
I cant do it because Id be biased so I'll need to find a test pilot in Sydney.
.
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Im moving permanently to Sydney, do they windsurf over there ???....
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Select to expand quote

ULTIMATS said...
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Im moving permanently to Sydney, do they windsurf over there ???....
.

Sure. Can you bring the (Freo) Doctor with you?

Select to expand quote

ULTIMATS said...

I reckon youve nailed it there Nebbian, I'll have to get 2 identical boards, modify one and then test ride both to compare.
I cant do it because Id be biased so I'll need to find a test pilot in Sydney.
.
.
Im moving permanently to Sydney, do they windsurf over there ???....
.

Yeah plenty of windsurfing is happening over here in Sydney. Cracker day yesterday with 20 to 30 knot winds.