Messages

Beasho,  I have seen your evolution of Urethane to rope connection methods.  Crimps, thimbles, Albright knots ...  Is the double sheet bend what you have settled on ? Albright looks like it would be better, I use it all the time to connect plastic fly line to mono leader. JP

Ilm,  I don't quite understand part of what you are describing.  To me, wobbly conditions are from chop or chop + wind.  Bigger conditions generally don't seem to effect stability.  Sometimes bigger can cause more of a reflected back wave which can throw you off. 29"w, 119L sounds decently stable for a 175lb weight.  A board like that should also drop into a wave better than something bigger.  I would just practice with what you have sounds like a good size for you. Also sounds like a good shape based on what you originally used and liked.
  For me, I weigh about the same as you.  I have a coulple short wide tail boards (125L and 135L) with that excel in mushy waves but fast head high get scary.  Also have a fanatic stylemaster thats 10'6 and 140L.  Turns out that one isn't easy to surf, but fun to run around on the deck.  Also catching choppy waves on the 10'6 isn't ideal.  It will catch big set waves way outside though.  One year ago I got a JL stungun 8'7/110L/29.5"w  I figured that would be my go-to for bigger days only.  Turns out I have been using the Stun gun most days, big and small.
  Have fun with it.  JP

Water is shallow reef in front of Velaro.

The Velaro beach resort I stayed at was nice.  It's at the east end of the Cabarete beach.  Short walk to where the ION rentals were. 
Jay

Great time lapse video,  and you are the best dressed Glasser out there ! 
 
I have not made a board in years, but since the Sealion 86 and 83 is no longer made, I might end up making a replacement.
Jay

Does Nelson build for any major brands, or just customs ?  Great videos.  I wish I had these resources 30 years ago.  Was just learning by mistakes.  Jay

I only vac bagged one windsurfer back when I was making them for myself.   I tried a wet lamination with all layers in one shot. (bot flip top flip bot flip top)  I didn't get the extraction I was looking for, but I felt it was an epoxy curing early issue.  If I was doing it again I would use a thin epoxy with super long working time and a heater to cure. 

I made an avalanche shovel for backcountry use shortly after the windsurfer.  I vac bagged the blade against a steel shovel to get a shape match.  The vac pump died right when I turned it on and I ended up using a house vac cleaner.  Surprisingly it worked.  Use that shovel to this day.

  My brother was making carbon fiber bike frames at the time.  I know he had found a thinner epoxy that used a heat cure.  I had been using a basic system3 boatbuilding epoxy for the windsurfers.  I think the shovel was done using the thin stuff, which was $$$. 

Wet peg video was interesting,  don't see how it would work for the main surfboard lamination, but maybe for adding layers in the feet area.

We chatted and I saw one of your home made boards this summer at MTK, you were parked next to me. 
Jay

Just did a test surf with the new paddle. 
  For the last few years I have been using a Kenalu Wiki 74 with flexible shaft.  On paper, it's smaller than what I should be using.  I weigh about 175 lb and 6'4 tall.  Been very happy with the wiki 74 as it puts less stress on my body.  I really just wanted to buy another Wiki, but unfortunately that ship has sailed.
  I got a BP Surge, small blade (75) and a medium 100 slim shaft.  I bought directly from BP, as they were offering 100$ off.  A new Wiki still would have been less money.
  Test run was a 2.5 hr surf in 30 degree air temp, slightly choppy water and my smallest board.  The blade is slightly narrower and taller than the Wiki,  felt the same in the water as far as catch.  Shaft felt like a similar flex.  The T-handle is GREAT!!!!  Better than the Kenalu for sure.  I was using 5mm gloves for this sesh.

So I think this is a good option for anyone looking for a smaller more flexible setup.  (Which most mfgrs don't even offer)

Jay

Tom, I saw the Ben Gravy SD episode last night.  Looked crazy

Looks like a great day Surfercook !  We got out on Friday AM in RI.  SUP fest with 6 friends out.  I keep tagging onto your reports,  you might just fill up the forum !

Thanks caribsurf !  I will give them a call.
Jay

Melbourne Fla sounds like a good location.  Any rental operations with decent surf sup's in the area ?

Thx, Jay

Hello everyone,  looking for some vaca ideas for this year.  My wife just wants to go somewhere warm.  I would go anywhere I can surf and rent a decent SUP, not needing a full on surfing destination spot.   I guess we will be flying.  It's a 1 week or less vaca, so not looking to go very far away.

Florida comes to mind.  Should be some waves in early spring, right ?

For the purposes of this inquiry,  Hatteras is not warm enough. 
Cabarete has already been shot down,  Been there once and was happy enough windsurfing.

Need to get planning before it's all booked.

Jay

Eastbound,  say hello if you ever see a tall guy on an orange JimmyLewis Stungun or a big fish style sup.
Jay

Thx for the RI video link Surfercook !  Think I even saw a sup in there somewhere.
Jay