Thermoform/ Thermobond ?

[Neki]

What does everyone think about Thermobonded boards with the tough ABS like skin? Seems like an impresive construction.  Boards like Bic Ace- Tech and Surf tech B1 bomber. I know the B1 is targetting the white water scene, wich i think these boards will shine, But other than maybe rental boards, is there a future for this type construction?
     I dont Question the stiff performance characteristics, but i did notice a slight, increase in weight when i picked up all sizes of ace tech's in local shop.  Im guessing the weights are off a hair from manufacture listing. They're claiming about the same weight as other glass boards, but i dont feel it. Maybe a mental block.  
  

[Neki]

What, no intrest in these boards?   I read this polystyrene ABS like skin is reported tougher than polyproplyne. what has me thinking is if the construction is fiberglass/epoxy beneath the outer skin, wouldnt beating it with a malet or smashing it into rocks affect the glass beneath, weakining the structure? How would you repair a board like this IF you do breach the skin?

[robcasey]

thermoform is very strong and has been used on kayaks for years by Eddyline (check site), Hurricane Kayaks, Delta Kayaks, etc. The Tahoe Bliss was thermoform, not sure if it still is?  I tested a sup by boat designer Tim Niemier a year ago on a river, took some hits and only light scratched it. 

the boards and kayaks i've tried with thermoform are very light, tough, and less maintenance.  good for rental fleets, rivers and general use.  but each product varies per it's design, quality of contruction, etc.  cheers

[surfcowboy]

Ok, old schoolers, pipe up. Why are these boards not as good as epoxy?

Can the windsurfers speak to this?

[colas]

In windsurfing, these boards had a definite market segment. The famous yellow Bic boards were best sellers.
Great impact resistance, a moderate weight increase. I had one, nice boards.

The drawbacks were not a lot of rigidity and an agressive seam on the rail. I know a school that has SUPs build this way this summer, people were complaining they got bruises/peeled skin on their legs because of this. This was not a issue on windsurfing board, as you waterstart them and do not crawl back on them.

I guess one could sand the seam to render it non-agressive biy removing sharp edges...

[Jeroensurf]

Its a very expensive way to build boards as you need to make a full metal template instead of just sandwich or glassing it.
For Bic windsurfboards it worked fine as they sold over 50.000 of those boards but for small numbers there are cheaper ways to produce. So it will become rather expensive boards that look cheap.
The last couple of years they looked seamless dus a slightly diff pressing/bonding technique.