Frank's Flex Channel Board

[Headwax.]

"chatting" with frankfqr ....

noticed that this great looking board had gone under
in the plethora of board shots

shame to let it go without knowing more about it

couple of questions:

how did you make it eg layers?

how does it go?

what's the philosophy?

does the cant of the outside fins change with the flex of the tail?

how does that effect the ride?


how would you change it now you have ridden it?

and how is it lasting?

cheers

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PS: be offline for a few days (wife making me go surfing )

looking forward to the answers

[tomway]

Wow, I second all those questions, and two more: How did you glass it?! Did you glass the bottom flat, and into the grooves on the deck (so the glass met)? How much flex was apparent in and out of the water?

Great looking board frankfqr.
Tom

[frankfqr]

Probably just me but this thing has just eaten up a rather lengthy update. Lost in computer limbo Will be in touch.

[frankfqr]

I played around with alot of different flex tail varieties many moons ago. Came to the opinion that I didn't like the release, the spring when the flex was disengaged. Although this could be seen as something positive by todays standards and styles. Also had varying regards for the changing rocker. With this Channeled Flex idea I wanted to try to restrict the flex length wise, using a full 1/4 inch stringer and reenforcing the foam struts along the flex panels. Hoping to achieve all of the flex from side to side and even then minimize the spring. Hopeful goals being decreased tail surface area engageing fins with minimul draft, in addition utilizing the curved flex panels as there own source of hold. This is where I could be way off base, source of hold. Many different theories on this one and I'm no hydrotechy but I still got a hunch and it's only a toy. Construction: Clark 62C, 6oz. on the bottom with 2 / 4oz. panels on the flex areas. Then flip it and razor knife and chisel the slots, drum sander and fine tune by hand. For glassing the channels think paper mache just layers of glass in varied width and length, one 6oz thru out then two 4oz. thru out. This version was only to throw it out there and hopefully garner some assistence in ideas for different materials and applications on future attempts. The offers and responces have been intriqueing. This creation has brought some big smiles to some very inovative individuals. It's caused traffic jams and drawn crowds at surf shops and beaches. Conclusion: Howz it ride!!?? Verdict not in, variables need to be tweeked. There are many, starting with the fins. I wanted to play with the venturi effect,yeah big time. This things psycho fast, but it starts to feel like a rock skipping along the surface and as for pumping or turning along the high line it drifts or slides but the bottom turns are sweet, full smooth solid engagement with extreme accelaration mostly from the compression thru those large fin bases. And very tracky, no turning on a dime here. The fins have to change, I have moved them back and out and parallel since those pics. but still tracks and slides on the high line. I had the board at the KSUSA event in Santa Cruz, kept kicking myself to lean it up with the rest of the boards but sorry guys I'm still an introvert. The only one who saw it was Mr. Don and his advise was to change it to " a more traditional fin system" He's right, I agree, but I can't bring myself to throw traditional at it. Changes coming soon and will be on hand at the Worlds. Thanks for the interest, hope I answered your questions and hope I didn't put to sleep those who could care less. Toys don't ya jus luv em.

[red]

sensational mate
got any toe-in on those fins - some of the behaviour seems to me to relate to very parallel fin setup
your tail width /straightish outline should give you a ton of speed so you can sacrifice a bit to fin drag (aka toe-in)
Oh yes, i forgot - fins in from the rails tend to prevent opposite rail release so holds the board flat, making it tight /tracky (the outside fin doesn't lift clear of the water easily).

[Headwax.]

thanks for the run down Frank

will get back w my questions

computer problems here too

[frankfqr]

Thanx heaps Red, I was a heartbeat away from buying materials to lay up a new fin sheet. Currently the forward fins are exactly parrallel the rears toe in 1/8 inch. Reccomendation appreciated, I'll also move the rear fins out. Thanx again!!!! Bring it on Headwax??!! I'd luv to hear opinions from any "Kneeboard Artist." Oh yeah Mr. Wax, thanks for pulling up pics. I don't know how to navigate this stuff, hell, I still can't indent paragraphs.

[Headwax.]

frank said

Came to the opinion that I didn't like the release, the spring when the flex was disengaged.

same problem I had with flex in my fins.
I recently discovered that flex in the front fin of a quad is a bonus (last two thirds of fin rake max)

flex in the back fin is crap (for your reasons)

I've had a quad for 3 years (?) now.

After 3 years of constantly changing my fins and their longitudinel positions I finally discovered the magic positions (and shapes) for my fins in under 3 foot waves.

I am very happy.

Hanging out to see what it's like in 4 feet