porotype process

Submitted byparadisepete onSat, 06/29/2019 - 07:51

im going to be doing some prototyping on a strip build paddle board, it is a bit of a unique design, not really surfboard based as the majority of what you see out there are.  i am using basic dimensions of production SUP boards as a baseline, so i might get lucky and get the stability and maneuverability right the first time, but i really don't want to waste the materials on an "experiment", it is just for personal use too so there is no "investment" here for later return.  in the future i may mess around with my own kayak, mostly because i enjoy building and adjusting as opposed to just building from plans.

my thought was to use cheap white wood for my strips, then just a couple good coats of varnish, or some sort of sealer??  i feel like the thing only needs to hold up in the water for a couple sessions to know if adjustments need to be made.  or maybe if i do need the strength of at least some fiberglass i would use polyester resin since its cheaper than epoxy.  again prototyping so not worried about looks or long term.

any shared experiences or suggestions would be appreciated.

JohnAbercrombie

Sat, 06/29/2019 - 15:38

One method that's been used in the past is to build an under-size 'core boat' - usually with plywood S&G, and glue foam to that core.

Shape the foam, test, re-shape, test, etc....

that is an interesting approach, especially for a kayak or canoe shape i can see where that would work.

i have been considering making a foam prototype of the paddle board, i was struggling with how to make it stiff enough without kinda committing to a center "rib" shape.  making some sort of plywood rectangular "box" for a core surrounded by foam may be the answer there, same concept as the "smaller core boat".