alternative construction materials/techniques

[rick mottola]

Hello all, I'm just wondering if any kneelo specific shapers are getting into alternatives to PU/PE.

I know Dean Cleary has been offering EPS/Epoxy since Blank Monday, but I'm not sure if other shapers are offering these kinds of options for their customers. Hart? Bud? Have you experimented with different materials? Any success?

I am seeing a lot of new tech showing up in the standup market, and not just for custom orders but also for off the rack boards in the local shops. Parabolic stringers, vacuum bagged laminations, stringerless, etc, etc.

I know some garage builders have been doing this, like MarkyV and his balsa compsands, but wouldn't it be great to try something like that in your new Flashy or Blast?

Discuss

[rick mottola]

http://www.brandens.net/files/Sounds/FX ... RICKET.WAV

[Headwax.]

hi ksmh3

sincerely sorry no one has answered

these design threads are like a veggie garden - you have to keep watering them and putting a little manure in with the soil.....

David Parkes probably has a few things in the pipeline if you would like to pursue it with him..

Also Franfqr could be a guy to speak to.....

He smart guy is Frank.

hope this helps

cheers

[rick mottola]

thanks heady

[skansand]

shoelkopf does epoxies, Flashpoints all poly.....RX Kneeboards ONLY offers epoxy/eps but isnt quite in production mode yet.... ..more on that in the future..

[frankfqr]

So right Mr. Wax, The vegetables won't flourish unless you stir the manure, you have a way with words. Twas amazed to watch this thread go unanswered!!!!! ------------Just on the surface, if you tap into what info is accessable, you will see the many positive aspects of epoxy/eps in relation to the decades of inherent drawbacks weve had with PU. Not to negate the tried and true, the tools we most ride have been proven, but they were all platforms in relation to the future. And that is only in reference to what is accessable, there are alot of "underground" rumblings that are only recently starting to surface. In hindsight, thank you Mr. Clark for the past, and, excelerating the future.

[KneeBumps]

my 2 cents worth- I'm currently riding a LarrMo KG XPS/Epoxy twinzer fish (I think its extruded not expanded polysty, so it's XPS not EPS) Mabile doesn't shape kneboards exclusively, but I use mine for both kneeing and standup. The board is seemingly much stronger, and seems to flex significantly more than my PU/PE fish. It is significantly more buoyant at the same thickness, hence easier to catch waves, but hell to duckdive because of the added buoyancy. I have had two collisions with other boards (both PU/PE- my nephews board), and the other board was a big loser, without a ding on mine. It's starting to suffer some compression dings on the deck, otherwise no sign of the well-publicized KG glassing failures. It's only a year old now, was made after KG switched their glassing contractors to save their image problems. Short answer- I really like the board, and would buy another XPS/epoxy board.

[rick mottola]

I emailed Parkes and this is what he sent back,

I have done a few polystyro foam boards with epoxy/glass and epoxycarbon and glass laminations. Polystryofoam surfs differently to PU . Up to the surfer if they like it.
Basically costs more and takes more production time but is very "do-able".

[frankfqr]

"surfs differently" Isn't that what we were all told when we dabbled with our current design of choice? Differently, sounds like a potiential for a change in "style". All depends on what you want to attain. Large learning curve!!! Skies the limit..................

[Beeline2.0]

..

[frankfqr]

"all depends on what you want to attain" I sure didn't read between the lines and percieve that "surfs differently" means it has the same feel. In PM's to interested inquiries I offer my findings into the trends in recent developments, but always stress that my dabblings are not relevant to the current trend in approach or style......."it's all just toy's" cheers!

[wino]

The reason some people feel that EPS surfs differently than PU generally had their first EPS boards made to the same dimensions of their current PU boads. EPS seems to be more buoyant than PU. Therefore, if you get a board shaped out of EPS with the same thickness of your last PU board it will be corky and surf differently.

If your shaper knows what he/she is doing and has experience with EPS, they should be able to size and shape a board that is right for what you want to do with it.

My first EPS/Epoxy board was magic until yesterdays unfortunate landing in the flats so they are not bullet proof.

[KneeBumps]

Well put wino. My XPS Epoxy board may be a bit too bouyant for some, because it was made to PE/PU thickness specs (2.75").
I would note that it has allowed this old fart new paddling life on a shorter stick, without having to go the "fun board" route and compromising other design aspects.

[Beeline2.0]

..

[skansand]

beeline, what you need is triple wings on the right side of the board, none on the left side....slight vee for good turning but not so deep that takes the juice out of your board...single to double concaves for acceleration...lets make it a reverse quad cause they love the highline....hows that sound....oh and its gotta be a 6'4!