Topics

16

Classifieds / Foilboard 7'-1" 120 liters Innegra-carbon FoilSurfMachine

« on: July 07, 2020, 11:47:26 AM »

Actually measure 6' 11"long  (7'1" from the bottom) 28.75 wide.  14.5lbs with deck pad. Great carbon handle system, In perfect shape, no dents or dings. Amazingly well built board. $850

https://www.supsurfmachines.com/

 In Atlanta I will ship at buyers expense plus $50 for packing materials. I'll try and find out the shipper Dwight used to send it to me used I never had a problem with them. I'm not sure how much shipping is nowadays. I assume it's still somewhere like $100 for the east coast.

17

Random / Memorial Day

« on: May 25, 2020, 03:33:38 PM »

Memorial Day. We say thanks today for the many sacrifices made.

I just wanted to take pause and remember a friend and fellow Coast Guard who died while serving.

Michael K Luke. Michael was a great guy, a fellow recruit and the leader of our US Coast Guard boot camp Gulf Company in 1979. When things got tough for me in boot camp, he played a role motivating and inspiring me and many others in our company as we all figured out the stresses of basic training together. Michael had one obstacle in boot camp, he could not swim. Helping him learn to swim was indelible memory for me. With his determination (and good sense of humor) he did overcome his slight fear and got his swimming skills requirement accomplished in time to graduate.

 June 1980 his Ship was sunk in St. Petersburg, Florida. A collision with a Tanker capsized the 180 foot long USCGC Blackthorn. Twenty three of the fifty man crew die that day. It was a tragic lost the Coast Guard won't forget, and an event that I won't forget ether.

Today is Memorial day and maybe you have someone you remember and might like to share something about. If so I'd like to listen/read.

I just want acknowledge my friend and his families, and all of many sacrifices made to keep our country safe. To all those I say Thank You, and somehow saying Thank You, is just is not enough.

18

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Pressure Gauges and Wings

« on: May 21, 2020, 05:14:18 PM »

 Lately I've seen some blown out wings. I can't help but wonder if the wings were over inflated. I'd hate to have my wing blow out because i trusted a bad pressure gauge. I already suspected my pressure gauge was off' so i figured id test it to find out for sure.

 I bought some new gauges, and had a couple lying around the shop. I put together a little testing rig to see what i can see. It turned out my pump gauge was way off and even the new "better" gauges came with issues. Below is the results of testing the 4 new gauges.
( I tested some older small air filled gauges that were waaay the hell off, but i did not include them because they weren't new.)



A) My wing pump "air filled" gauges was off by a little more that 4.0 PSI. It said 11 PSI when actually it was at 7 PSI
It's a small diameter 0-30 psi Gauge. So yeah my first few times out on the wing i was under inflated.

B) I had a new 2 1/2" 0-30 PSI oil filled in the shop so i tested it  It said 5 PSI when it was at 7 psi
(*** that was the un-vented reading. There is a vent plug on oil filled gauges that is suppose to be opened before use, but the way this one is sold you have no way of knowing that so i tested it as is. Once it was vented to your Atmosphere it was very close, maybe a 1/2 PSI off at 7 PSI)

C) I bought A new oil filled 0-15 PSI it said 7 PSI when it was at 7 PSI. Yep it was spot on. Even at 1 PSI it was spot on
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G008GHS/ref=cfb_at_prodpg This one had a sticker on it telling you to vent the gauge before use. Before venting it would have been 2 psi below actual reading. IMO This is a really nice gauge for wings and the perfect range for accuracy.

D) Digital PSI gauge it said 4.5 PSI when it was 7 psi.
*** This one was a mystery because it was way off at first, 3.5 psi. It would not start to read any pressure until 3.5 PSI.
While i was testing i cycled it through the function button one more time and low a behold, It became spot on.   From 0.25 psi up to 8 PSI it was absolutely perfect !.   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CXMBXRP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My testing was a rig i built that i could hook all the gauges up to it at the same time so all gauges were exposed to the same pressure (in parallel).
For accuracy i used a water column for reference 27.07"= 1 psi  18' tall so max i measured was 8 PSI. 

I ended up using both the 0-15 oil filled, and the digital gauge together teed onto my air pump. It's overkill but for me there's some peace in knowing that I know I didn't put too much air in.

19

Foil SUP / How is your foil board meassured?

« on: January 24, 2019, 06:02:05 PM »

I bought a board and recieved it, and found out the length was measured from the bottom of the Rolling the contour, so the actual length was 3" shorter than I expected. My 7'2" is 6'11" tall on its end (which was actually a pleasant surprise in my case)

So I'm wondering how common is that way of measuring boards?

20

SUP General / I could have been safer with kids

« on: September 30, 2018, 09:07:43 PM »

I'm a fairly experienced water guys but i wasn't safe enough when it came to teaching youngsters to surf.

I've made many yearly trips with our Church youth to the beach. Each year i would bring a couple of boards with me to let the kids have fun trying surf. I reviewed basic safety with the kids as i gave them one on one coaching pushing them into waves. 

Well a couple of years ago one of our smaller kids about 85 lbs caught a wave and got a good little ride, but when he fell off he didn't pay attention to the fact he had  the board between him and the oncoming waves. I tried to get his attention shouting at him, but he was paying attention to something on the shore.  I rush toward the board as the next wave was coming. I got to the board at the same time the wave did. I tried to pull the board away form him but failed. I could feel the board hit him while we were underwater. When we came up his eyes were now glued on me as he knew he got hit by the board.  So yeah, worst case scenario... happened. I saw blood squirting behind the little guy! It was coming from his left upper arm/ armpit area. It was pulsing out of him going almost 2 feet into the air. I told him to look at me as i didn't want him to panic seeing his blood shooting out of his little body.  Praying to God as i picked him up and got him to shore as fast as i could, I grabbed someones towel and wrapped it while applying direct pressure. Paramedics on the way.
 
In the middle of this darma something very cool happened, his 5" gash from being harpooned from one of my quad fins stopped bleeding. Yep the fin wound that came centimeters from going completely through his arm stopped bleeding sometime before the paramedics showed up and wanting to see the wound. Thank you Lord. 70 stitches later and no long lasting damage the kid was fine.

Lesson here is I should have had soft fins in my boards and you can never prey too much. Protek flex or power flex fins would have prevented the wound in the first place. There maybe other brands but i know Protek's are pretty good.
So yeah that's it, I guess we all know that fins can be dangerous, i wanted everyone to be aware just how dangerous it can get.  Be safe

Lesson

21

Foil SUP / Two wings better than one... Bi-wings anyone???

« on: September 16, 2018, 04:47:04 PM »

I was wondering does anyone have, or is anyone experimenting with a Bi-wing foils for surfing and Downwind? 

If i remember correctly from A&P school bi-wing aircraft where able to fly at slower speeds, be- lighter, and be more responsive. All of which could be good things for small waves and down-winding. It wouldn't have to look like Bi-plane, but more like the size of a small horizontal stabilizer, a few inches above the main wing.  Could be some advantages over single-wing foils.

1. A smaller second wing could give the same lift as a single larger wing, while being more maneuverable.
Example  instead of a 220lb man riding a Gofoil 280 he could ride a IWA Or Kai instaed with the upper bi-wing and have the same lift. Changing the upper bi-wing size, for changing conditions instead of changing the main wing.

2. A smaller second wing above the main could act like a "breach warning" without a complete stall.
In other words when the smaller upper wing breaches, it loses it's lift, while the main wing maintains it's lift, lowering the surfer without totally crashing. (at least that's my theory

3. Different size smaller second wings could allow less expenses and more portable equipment fix-ability.

4. Thinking a upper bi-wing could be made to attach to the mast, and not be brand specific...

I'm just thinking out loud and would like to hear others thoughts on this.

22

Gear Talk / How should i sell my wetsuits?

« on: January 20, 2016, 01:36:50 PM »

I'm way out of the loop and I have a couple of wet-suits that i don't need, 2 of them that I have never worn. I live in Atlanta not a market SUPreme wetsuits locally. I'm not sure if i can list the here in the Classifieds as it seems very different than it use to be. Any suggestions?  Thanks

23

Gear Talk / Thicker Wetsuit or Heated Vest?

« on: December 02, 2013, 08:12:58 AM »

 I just got a 2/3 SUPreme full (Amazingly comfortable suit!) The cyber Monday deals got me shoping. I see the $125 off deal on a heated vest for today, so it just got me thinking...
Just wondering which would be better for the colder days getting a 4/3/2 or a heated vest?

24

Gear Talk / Full suit vs long johns with jacket

« on: November 06, 2013, 10:57:53 AM »

I recently used afront zip jacket with my Short John's and noticed that when I get that occasional flush that most of the water does not go down the short johns. I think the turbulence from entering the jacket may defuse the waters velocity so it goes over the johns instead of inside.

I don't surf with a wet suit much, so this observation may not be a fact. I'm just curious if any body else has experience this.

I love the way the front zip jacket feels on my neck (none of the choking fealing I have from other suits)
So im thinking about getting some long johns and hang up the full suit.

25

SUP General / Anybody ever surf Georgia?

« on: October 29, 2013, 04:40:26 PM »

I live in Atlanta Ga and normally travel to Cocoa beach (8 hr drive)or the Panama City beach (6 hr drive) to catch waves. Tybee Island GA is 4 hours away, which makes a day trips possible, as opposed to the 2 or 3 day trips to FLA.

It looks like a little something is acting up and there may be a little wave action coming up here soon. So Just wondering if i should explore some Georgia options, or just  deal with the drive and be happy. 

26

Random / Pastor Chuck Smith moves on

« on: October 06, 2013, 06:02:08 PM »

Pastor Chuck went to be with Jesus last Thursday.

 Pastor Chuck Smith was my pastor's pastor. His Ministry grew into many world wide churches. He also impacted many surfers life's from the 1960s and on.
So I just wonder if there are any other paddle SUPers  here who have been effected form his life and ministry?

27

SouthEast / Any shops demo or sell SimSUPs in Florida ?

« on: May 03, 2013, 09:15:56 AM »

Headed down to Coco Beach this week and will be driving the coast from Jax Fla down.  I was  wondering if anyone knows of any shops that sellSimSUPs or boards without noses/flat noses?

28

Random / Caution buying and selling on Craigslist

« on: April 09, 2013, 07:47:05 PM »

My son got shot last night for a $300 phone.
He meet someone at a chuch parking lot (not the smartest move on my sons part but...) to sell his cell phone. A second guy comes out from behind a wall shoting his gun in the air, telling him to drop the phone. Before he could react to the demand, the guy shoots my son. So my son took off running as the guy continues to shot at him. my sons wifes puts her Prius in drive (the silent start was literally a potensial life saver)and takes off. The shooter sees her and shoots 2 more time at her as she drives off to get my son.

Good thing is, the 32 slug got my son in his hip bone from staight on. The slug flattens on his skin and hip bone!  The slug fell into his hand as he ran away! How awesome is that!
(Guardian Angel at work, Thank you Lord)

  None of the other shots hit anything that we could tell! Still awesome huh!

The cops caught the first guy within 1 hour, and have a positive id on the shooter.  (Two 17 year olds)

It seems to me that outdoor type stuff is relitively safe to sell on Craigslist, but electronics, laptops and carrying cash.. not so much.
 

29

Gear Talk / Wetsuit suggestions for a 6' 130lb guy

« on: February 14, 2013, 07:05:50 AM »

My 20 year old son is skinny with zero body fat. He want to get a full suit to surf.
The problem is all we can find online is XS to fit his weight, but are 6" to short for the height. "125-135 lbs  5'5"-5'7".

I guess it  it could be possible to get a custom wetsuits but i imagine it would be pretty pricey and we don't know where to look for that.   Before we go down that road wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions maybe a brand that has tall skinny sizes.

30

Gear Talk / Fin suggestions needed for my new board.

« on: January 16, 2013, 01:53:40 PM »

I just got a board today . I have been shopping a looong time for a shorter used board that suites me for surfing average east coast surf conditions that i could afford. I ended up finding a new board for a bargain price but it has no fins.  So many fin choices is a bit overwhelming for me so i could really use some help.

 So im 190lbs, 6'4" older experienced surfer still getting use to stand up in the ocean.
The board is 9' x 32 5/8", 149 liters and 21 lbs. The nose is 23" and the tail  21" wide. Slight single concave up front, to a double concave, but the bottom basically flat. 5 fin option, and i was thinking to get a Quad set of fins (maybe the small center fin also, i forgot what you call it) Best i can tell the fin positioning on this board looks to be pretty good.

Any help would be appreciated.