Thanks for checking out this page! I hope you find something useful …
To be honest, I know very little about surfboard design and construction. As you may have read ‘the FFW story‘ – I have a lifetime of experience and only a few years ago started to design and make my own boards. I have found a lot of information available on the internet and in particular these forums:
This IS the internet GO TO place for everything about surfboard design and construction. This thread is a good place to start!
Note: Keep your eye out for comments and information from some of the worlds best shapers and surfboard designers.
Website here: www.swaylocks.com
This is the Australian equivalent of swaylocks. Fairly new, but a friendly and growing number of inhabitants.
Website here: www.sanded.com.au
The Forums on here contain some hidden gems of information.
Also, keep you eye out for any surfboard design articles and make sure you read the comments; again some hidden gems.
Website here: www.swellnet.com
The Real Surf forum has a section dedicated to design. It’s worth a look, but keep in mind it can be a bit of ghost town on that section of the forum.
Website here: http://forum.realsurf.com/forum/index.php
Surfboard Design Software
This is the computer design software I use – AKU Shaper
I did a lot of research and tried all the different design software. From Shape3D to BoardCAD, I tried each and found AKU Shaper to be the easiest to use and learn.
The tutorials are fanstastic for quickly learning the software. See here: https://www.youtube.com/user/akushapertutorials
I’m self taught, and have pick up a few things along the way; I’m happy to help anyone learn the software. Just shoot me a comment on here, or via any of the social media platforms.
Surfboard Supplies
For surfboard supplies like resin, catalyst (UV and MEKP) cloth, paper, and even tools like sanding blocks and sanding pads I go to:
When I first stated I was really unsure of what I needed … hotcoat or filler coat? Laminating resin to sanding pads … the crew at Shapers helped, but what really struck me was that they did not make me feel like a total newbie kook. I get my blanks supplied and cut from them as well, which is a seamless process. So, it’s easy to pick up the cut blank and any supplies I need.
Big shout out to Jules, Tank (aka Jake), Elvis (aka Levi) and Foils (aka Dan) … thanks for your friendly service!
Fin Systems & Fin Plugs
I have used Shapers S-plug, Probox and Gearbox.
I started with Shapers S-Plugs on the first board I made, but as I wanted more ‘adjustment’ from the fin system I used I changed over to Probox, and more recently Gearbox.
Surfboard Fins
I have a large collection of FCS ‘dual tab’ fins and more recently have acquired some of the Shapers Fins
Other Surfboard Design and Construction Blogs I’ve come across:
Seadragon Surfboards
In his own words, Cass Selwood is “a garage hack having a go at making the craft I’ve been riding for the past two decades”. He has set up his blog under his ‘label’ Seadragon Surfboards where he is “charting the exploration of surfboard design and construction from a small shed in the Adelaide hills” – www.seadragonsurfboards.wordpress.com
Other sources of useful information I’ve come across:
Blending Curves
Great source of plan shapes and outline templates – www blendingcurves.com
Turtle’s Big Secret
Good source for computer design software files – www.turtlesbigsecret.com
Hi Wingnut,
Where are you, I’m near the Gold Coast – Jacobs Well.
I’ve got a video I’ll transcode to a tighter format, got a few pics.
I’ve been thinking about a method to hold a blank and change the router to a foam cutter.
Looking through your site I noticed canting fins. My last board had the side fins canted at 55 deg, made it just way too loose. Ended up putting them back to 10 deg. I’m a kneeboarder and could just chuck the board anywhere, usually with the back end popping out, and as you said, no power. What I was wanting was vertical lift, the side fins were beneath the middle of my shins, middle of my weight and properly foiled for lift. Theory was lift to assist in turns as well.
Hey Colin, great to hear from you. I’ll send you an email. Yep, fin cant is a fun process!
Wingnut2443
Hi Wingnut
Got to your site through swellnet, just wondering where you get your blanks cut?
Thanks
Col
Hey Col,
Thanks for stopping by … mate, I’ve sent you an e-mail. Where are you based? If near the gold coast, there are a few options – most blank suppliers have, or have access to machines to get them cut.
Wingnut.