how to build my first wood longboard?

[Surf-Asia]

hey there everybody,

first of all, im new to the forum, and im new to surfing. strangely, im landlocked, but ive heard about river surfing near my home, and i wanted to give it a try. just a couple small issues, though: they dont sell surfboards here, and im on a very tight budget!

so.... i was wondering if someone could give me some advice on how to build my first longboard! i wanted to make it a solid wood longboard, maybe 8 or 9 ft long. u guys tell me which would be better! i was thinking making it 20 in. wide, and have 3 fins... i also dont know what kind of general shape a surfboard should have, or the essential parts of a surfboard, so could someone maybe please take the time to tell me what i need to do to my surfboard and how i should shape it so it is good (enough) and ride-able?

i was going to use 2 1inch thick 9 ft long 12 in wide pine boards to make the surfboard. i was gonna glue them together, then cut out the general shape, and from that i was going to file in all the details, and finish up the shaping... does my plan sound ok so far?

thanks a lot guys, sorry for the newB questions!

lucas

PS i know it will be very very heavy!

[IB_Surfer]

Very heavy. I've thought about how to do this too but have not pulled the trigger. I've seen pictures on this forum about how to make them hollowed or chambered, here is the youtube that has me interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA2-CEQea3A

[Surf-Asia]

ya, i figured it would weigh around 70 lbs??? but i wont really know until i have cut it all up, and weighed it.

some people have also told me that the weight will be better though, because it will offer more buoyancy, accelerate faster, and well, i suppose practically everyone on this forum would know more about the pros of a heavy board than i do! haha.

ive also heard about hollowed boards... hmmm, ill definitely give that youtube link a try, thanks! and can you, or anyone else maybe tell me what i have to do to the board, after ive roughly shaped it out, so it will be rideable? like what kinds of details do i need to add to the shape to make it work? basically, all i know now is that ive got to cut out a long oval, and strap a fin onto it. haha. not very well informed, am i?

thanks again!

L.

[drowningbitbybit]

I would suggest building a plane and popping to somewhere that sells surfboards. It'll be simpler.

[Surf-Asia]

sorry drowningbitbybit, i dont quite understand what you mean by building a plane...

but, you see, there are no places within a few hundred miles for me to buy a surfboard, plus i have a very low budget, and i cant afford a pre made board or board kit. i also love building things, and this would be a bit of a hobby just to build it. i also didnt want to make it hollow, even i know itll be lighter. i wanted it to be solid wood.

any help? basically i just need layouts, and for someone to tell me how to detail shape the board.

hope everyone is well!

L.

[powergrooves]

Below is a link to a surfshop in Braunton,Devon UK--they are a real surfshop and their mainman SKELLY knows his stuff (Don't tell him I said so)
They have a solid wood surfboard in their showroom and I'm sure that they will not mind giving you the dimensions for it (Because they are good guys)

http://www.gulfstreamsurfboards.co.uk/

Let me know if you get a responce
POWERGROOVES

[Surf-Asia]

thanks!

i just emailed them, and am waiting for a reply! in the meantime, ive been browsing their site, and man, it looks like they have some top notch stuff! beautiful boards, and those boards arent just tools, those things are pieces of art, too!

so, ive got a couple really easy questions for you guys. please, dont laugh, these should be ridiculous easy questions, haha...

1. is the bottom of a surfboard normally flat, or concave? i mean from one side to the other side, is it flat like a board, or does it have a bit more shape? do u know my meaning?

2. are the sides of the board flat, or angled?

i hope u guys can understand what im trying to ask, haha. i just dont know the appropriate terminology for the parts of a surfboard!

regards!

L.

[drowningbitbybit]

Know your surfboard

[Surf-Asia]

wow! thanks drowningbitbybit!!!!

that page was perfect! now, i finally know how to make and shape my next board! once i get started, ill eventually post pics of the board. its not gonna be a work of art or anything, but i hope it will work, and i hope you guys will approve of the finished product!

thanks again, mate!

L.

[powergrooves]

weeell?

[Roy Stewart]

some people have also told me that the weight will be better though, because it will offer more buoyancy, accelerate faster, and well, i suppose practically everyone on this forum would know more about the pros of a heavy board than i do! haha.

.

All else being equal a heavier board has less buoyancy, and will accelerate slightly faster under the influence of gravity and slightly less fast due to the pumping action of the rider.

I have boards at 65 and 70 pounds, but they need to be designed specifically for the weight.

.

[surf patrol]

I have found a complete guide on how to make an authentic wooden board that'l cost ya $100...
this need not be too heavy as it has a wooden skeleton structure and a fairly light wooden shell.
mine rides great in big and small stuff and is equal if not better than my boards I paid top dollar for ...just need some time and some tools to make it happen!
heres the link http://www.woodensurfboardplans.com GOOD LUCK