Firewire knockoff - compsand build.

Place the alignment tool INTO the aluminum guide - it's a tight fit. Then place the alignment tool over the marks I drew on the foam. Then remove the tool, leaving the guide in the proper location to cut the fin box holes.

Place the collar over the router, in this picture you can see the step in the collar is down in the picture, it will UP away from the cut. This cuts the deep channel for the base in the box.

To cut the flange, flip the collar and run the step in the collar all around the outside of the guide. I didn't get a picture, but there is an OFFSET inside the collar that adjusts the depth of the cut - set the depth for the deepest part, then when the collar is flipped over, the depth of the flange is already set.

Test fitting the boxes and then after the epoxy has been poured into the holes, I place a set of fins in the boxes to make sure the cant is correct for both fins.

That completes the installation of the boxes. To prepare for laminating the bottom, I tape the set screw hole and base opeing in the boxes. After the lamination, that will be ground off.

I have a piece of 4 oz S glass cut and ready for wet out.

Every well outfitted backyard shop needs a stealth shop bunny.

I like to smooth out the glass, by hand, before pouring on the resin, this typically will turn up any debris or bugs crawling around.

No good pictures, but I poured the epoxy onto the glas and then push it around to soak into the glass. The epoxy tends to foam if worked too much, so it's mostly pull once and leave it. I pulle the epoxy over the rails, wetting them. Then flip and lam the laps on the deck side. The rails look nice, I didn't good pictures, but the two pictures give an idea.

As usual great job SD but how do you have so much time during tax time ???

Thanks Kona - long time no see. How have you been? In response to your question: employees.

Ha ha. LG.I have been skiing all winter finished up yesterday now I need to get the boat out of storage.

Good for you! We've been snowboarding "almost" every weekend, we haven't had this much snow in years.

Both the top and bottom are laminated, I need to grind the boxes open. As folks can see in the first picture, the deck and botto are white. I believe it's paint, which I'll do before hotcoating. I'd love to do a black pinline between the white and wood.

I'm liking the visible wood on the rails.

Only one layer of glass on the top and the bottom to finish it off? Can't wait for the paint job!!

Yeah - it doesn't need as much. The high density foam prevents the heel dents, and stiffness comes from structure, not so much the materials. Separating the two layers of fiberglass by 3mm, gives it the needed rigidity.

ahhhh my infamous painting...Just a simple white this time!

I know one of the things you look at is weight, how does this board compare to others you have built! HD foam seems like the way to go!

This board is right at 4 pounds. That's my goal on most of the boards. I've built to under 3 pounds, but that's not practical. Above 5 pounds takes a concerted effort to add weight. HD foam is certainly a viable option for building light, rigid and ding resistant.

Rails taped off and primer on the deck.

First coat of white. I've used appliance epoxt spray paint, I've found this does well under a hoatcoat.

i am so impressed by this post you are doing such an amazing job and your going to be so proud of it once it is done

Awsome build. I can't wait to see your finished "Art"

Thanks Chase and Charlie and thanks for following along. This "art" will just be solid white, I'm trying to duplicate the original board - but I am sure I can screw up solid white

Primer on the bottom.

Almost done! Love my workbench!

blah solid white? at least do some sticker art on it or something haha that piece is to amazing not to make it your "own" check out www.endlesssummertattoo.com and check out the owners drawings / paintings he does on his surfboards there sick.. get creative!

If I could draw like THAT! I'd do inspirational stuff tooooooooooooo.

Hotcoat on the deck - beautiful view of my outdoor workbench

Hotcoat on the bottom.

Finally done, except to apply traction. I threw my back out over the weekend and have basically been sitting on a heating pad for a week!

Very Nice Jeff, and Sorry to hear about your back, you are going to have to get out behind that boat to streatch it back out. At least I am sure that is what the doctors would say ;-) Once you get the traction on, can you take a closer pic of the board and the rails? Good luck with you back! Jon T

Thanks Jon and for the sympathy too! LOL - yes alternating stretching and then soaking in cold water up to my neck! After I get the traction on I'll try and remember to snap a quick picture of the rails up close and personal. The wood is a really good look.

I have a fire to put out on a mold I'm building, I didn't get out to laminate the first few layers of 'glass because of my stupid back and my flanges curled up! Reminded me of that scene from the Wizard of 'Oz when the house lands on the WW of the W when the ruby slippers are removed.

ARE... YOU.... ****TING.... ME???

Wow, impressive dude!!

Thanks jd - you must be referring to my outdoor workbench!

I tried to get pictures of the rails up close, but all I did was provide further proof why I am NOT a professional photographer. I'll try it again.

So we got a chance to ride it yesterday - it was so windy that it was hard to ride - going into the wind was like being in a rainstorm from the sprag from the boat.

I didn't like the tail shape, the square tail is just not my favorite.

It was plenty fast, and light enough you could toss it around, but it wasn't "alive". I think that much wood on the rails just made it "dull", like it was too stiff along the perimeter and actually transfered flex to the center.

It was plenty loose and drivey, just not "magic".

Sweet, glad your back is all good, and that you got to get out and ride the board. I would not worry about the pictures, but maybe a pic that is not so close up would be good. Just an overall look of the board. If not no problem, to bad the board isn't what you expected. How do you know that you don't like how the tail feels? I guess I need to ride more.

PS, This board has to be 150% better than any board I have built!!

hey jeff ,has green peace come knocking on the door yet...

@ dj - over my wakesurf building? nah - but they did have an issue with my "baby seal clubs - 4 sale" website JOKE!!!!

@ Jon - I'll try and snap a picture or two over the weekend. My back is still bugging, just not enough to keep me off the board. Those square'ish corners felt like they grabbed in turns and off the top. Not that such a tail is bad, I just didn't care for it. Thanks for following along, Jon.

Great job Jeff. Thanks for sharing.

Petr, my friend! It's been so long since we've seen you! How are things in CZ? Thank you for your kind words.