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any idea if these ever are going into production? just curious

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf8e0hTMwIg

It is a nice idea.

However, there are material properties that have to be considered over form - I could be wrong, but it looks like there is a stress concentration resulting from the fin hole, screw pressure and lateral fin forces that have caused a significant stress crack at 2:22. Combined with the standard inherent material properties, this may result in ultimate premature board failure.

Fatigue and incorrect material selection are common causes of product failure.

Like I said, I could be wrong, so don't jump me! Just my 2 cents!

Richie

Very nice idea and the material only has waterpearls, no damage seen. But how to find such a board if you miss it in a huge jump or in a big wave? Floating around it also is a potensial danger to other kiters. Unless you paint i orange or somthing and then the point is gone... but a stylish idea!

I think price would be the primary barier to this becoming a production board.

So this board will probably develop –only- as a toy for the pro riders.
I ve been “day dreaming” hard: why it is that I like this design. I do snowboarding, but the idea of a plexiglas snowboard does not appeal to me. Also skim or skateboarding can only be fun with a good old wooden board or foamie.
Believe it or not, I think it is of the “moses effect”. Do not laugh . Just the idea that with this board it is like you are “walking on water” or the effect when making a spray like a wall of water you can look through. Just ordinary action photo’s will look different too, it becomes closer like actually flying in the air (without special effects). Also zero resistance, if the plexiglas becomes thinner, the speed.

There is another problem with a Plexiglas board: It sinks in salt water.

The density of Plexiglas is about 1.19, while the density of sea water is about 1.03

My calculations show that you need about 500 grams of buoyancy to keep the board afloat. Maybe you can provide that with thick low density foam pads and straps.

Plexiglas has a low modulus of elasticity compared to fiberglass and carbon fibre. So a Plexiglas board will bend a lot more than a standard board, and will not feel as crisp when riding.

If you look carefully on the film you'll see that it's layered and hollow with a stiffening central layer for mounting of pads. It should be possible to build such a board if you have the right glue and so on. Easier than other materials, I believe.

Just to add my experience to this, Plexiglas or Lexan is never glued together, it is welded together using Methyl Chloride. This is typically not a very good sealant but if you were able to apply it so there were no holes I think it would be possible to to make a hollow board, you would definitely need a inner skeleton though and the rocker/concave would not be easy, I believe heat would be required for this (maybe a large oven and a form). You may also need some other sort of sealant.
While anything is possible, I am told by the guys in the our shop that Lexan will de-laminate withing 2 years and Plexiglas will de-laminate in 4, faster if exposed to UV and temperature variances. If this is to be filled with air, it would probably need a vent while not in use..... sounds like a fun project but a lot of work at the same time... all for a see through board... I once had a see through watch... made it hard to tell the time.....

Sincerely

Pete

vindsportknut wrote:If you look carefully on the film you'll see that it's layered and hollow with a stiffening central layer for mounting of pads. It should be possible to build such a board if you have the right glue and so on. Easier than other materials, I believe.

The board is mainly made from one piece of plastic.
As I remember from last summer, material cost would be hundreds of dollars for the plastic,
but the kicker is it cost $10,000 + to mold, form, polish, etc.
It looks neat, but doesn't seem too practical.
All the same, it would be fun to try....