Soft Top Longboard Improvements

[ratso]

Hi All
My background -old guy, surfed longboards reasonably successfully for many years, currently have Robert August WIR 9'6". I have just purchased a Vision Ignite Softtop board 9' to use for a bit of 'turn back fun' and to use when mostly mush conditions and it's pretty good for both.
However, I reckon it could be a lot better, if it was a bit stiffer and had less rocker, So my question is, could the board be split down the centre line (keeping bottom slick intact), hinge open and a stringer inserted then re-glued back together adding stiffness and less rocker?
The board construction is EPS closed cell core, slick polyethylene bottom and cross linked polyethylene deck/sides. I appreciate cosmetically it may not be perfect after.
Any thoughts appreciated, if it could be done, how best to go about it and what glues, stringers, materials would I need.
Many Thanks Ratso

[waikikikichan]

There already is stringers inside.

[dtc]

As waikikichan said, the board already has 2 stringers. But if it's still to flexy then, yes, you could add a stringer (assuming the existing stringers don't run down the middle of the board already). I don't know how well it would work. For example you usually cover a stringer with fibreglass, so on a soft top what do you cover it with, if nothing else that to prevent water soaking into the wood (and to stop you getting splinters). Also, you are now making the board wider, unless you cut out foam equivalent to the width of the stringer. I doubt you can change the rocker.

Otherwise you would use the same technique as for a normal board, but may need different glue.

Another option, although perhaps even more complicated, would be a parabolic stringer....

[jaffa1949]

I know these boards are cheap and doing this sort of job would cost more than the board is worth to do properly.
My suggestion; look at large soft boards that do the job.
The board is a learner barge with screw through fins.
Splitting it is going to mess up the centre fin, wrong glues and resins will dissolve the board, much of the structural integrity is based on the bagging of the skin.
nothing could go wrong, right!
If you do the job, please post progress reports and pictures, I am genuinely interested!

[ratso]

Thanks for replies, yes there are 2 round stringers within the core offset about the centre line, but even so the board still flexes a lot.
A couple of thoughts I had after posting were maybe it would be better to slit the board from the underside leaving deck in one then insert stinger (1/8 or 3/16" wide) with desired rocker shape then fix using suitable glue and seal surface with 3M Marine Sealer 5200. I also read that a simple slit and epoxy glue line can act as a stringer?? I wouldn't be able to have stringer complete length of board as pointed out due to bolt through fin.
I am pretty handy so could possibly do myself to keep cost low but appreciate any advice as to whether it has any chance of sucess.
Thanks to all Steve

[jaffa1949]

Wow you are certainly exploring the weird end of soft board reconstruction .
I would certainly consider using a a shaped stringer for adding stiffness and rocker shape rather than a glue line.
I don't think the glue line would have the structural integrity to hold up for long against the boards flex.
All this is said from my end with only knowledge of shaping and reconstructing PU boards. Feel free to grain of salt my thoughts!
Another thought, why not adapt your surfing, rather than the board if it is intended to be a weak wave option

[Big H]

Better off with one of these:
http://www.surftech.com/surf/surftech-softop-longboards

[CheaterFiveSurfBum]

I personally think you should not even mess with a board like that or any board to accomplish that goal. There are plenty of beginners who would like that board. I see them being sold in yard sales all the time at the beach I live at. You could keep it intact and sell and buy a board more suited to you. If you take it apart, the board will be toast. It would be like a board that was snapped in half and fixed. Still usable but no one wants it.