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Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2018 11:05 am
by Sencillo
Hi Guys - Chris Middleton here from wooden-stuff.com - the guy in the images above making the hollow Foilaia.
I can happily share with you my two cents on forming a nose rocker and riding flat foil pocket boards.
Riding a flat board is do-able but it's a long way from being ideal in my opinion - once you get to a level where you're nailing 9 out of 10 gybes, tacks etc, etc then yes it becomes much more doable.
But for the likes of most individuals, the nose rocker helps in touchdowns, avoiding to bury the nose, providing your board's wide enough at the front and it also helps with the take-off.
Now, if you're riding a foil that generates a huge amount of lift (large wings, super thick, crossover foil, kite/SUP) it could be argued that the board can be as flat as a bean because the moment you generate forward momentum with your kite your up on the foil, so the board serves strictly as a platform to control the foil (in theory never touching the ocean) but as I said previously for most people the nose rocker helps.
The initial Ketos Pocket foil boards have a continuous rocker that starts from about halfway along the board.
I've heard people criticize this due to the fact that the front foot when riding is higher than the back foot - does this matter?
What I've learned over 20+ yrs of kitesurfing is that the human body can adapt to anything providing you are persistent. Here in France Ketos is one of the premium foil brands and lots of people ride their boards & foils.

What I try to do with my foil boards is keep the foot area as longitudinally flat as possible but I always introduce some nose rocker - between 4 to 10cm is enough.
Add to that a nose concave on the hull and this will add comfort in the touchdowns.

Bending 25mm Paulownia with steam is for me a non-starter - I do not have the patience or the kit.
Much simpler to use 4,5,6mm thick sheets and laminate several together - you can use airex or EPS foam as a core (I know that this is not eco...) and then sandwich the deck, hull & rails giving the impression that the board is a solid wooden construction but the weight is considerably reduced. Schenkles for sure is producing some beautiful boards that weigh in at a remarkably light-weight.

Some of the Foil boards that I've produced recently are here - https://www.facebook.com/fastafoil/
The Wooden-Stuff Kilaia boards (KIte aLAIA) are here - https://www.facebook.com/woodenstuffproject/

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 10:46 pm
by junebug
butterfish wrote:
Wed Nov 28, 2018 10:42 pm
yes please! is anybody riding his micro pocket foildeck complete flat, without rocker? the boards from greg drexler (boardriding maui) look total flat! do you think it matters? with a board lenght of about 90cm you just have two options: fly (foil) or fail. riding on water inst really possible...
Image
Image

I just finished making this board. 33 inches long x 16 inches wide x 1 inch thick. Solid strips of approximately 1 inch Pawlownia. No rocker. 1 layer of 6 oz glass, 2 layers at plate attachment, recycled car tire material sold as a welcome mat as padding between plate and board, embedded T nuts on deck, embedded O ring and shackle as leash attachment for the foil in case the board breaks.

I haven’t had a chance to ride it yet due to injuries, and I may not for a while. Once I’m riding again, I’m sure it’ll take me a little time to get it sorted, but I’ll post my experience with it.

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:23 pm
by TomW
How about using balsa?
Easy to get 100*1000mm planks in thickness 2-15 mm.
Could do 7+7+7 or 5+10+5. Make Core more of a framework.
Vbag in the rocker.

I've been making footboards using surfboard blanks..wood looks fun.

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:24 pm
by TomW
How about using balsa?
Easy to get 100*1000mm planks in thickness 2-15 mm.
Could do 7+7+7 or 5+10+5. Make Core more of a framework.
Vbag in the rocker. Could laminate with some carbon.

I've been making footboards using surfboard blanks..wood looks fun.

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 10:21 am
by junebug
butterfish wrote:
Wed Nov 28, 2018 2:05 am
hey stevez

does the pocketboards have scoop/rocker or do you ride them total flat? if there is, how do you got it?
Mine is totally flat. It is no problem. It can even handle minor touchdowns in flat water so long as you still have a good bit of power.

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:41 pm
by B19 ELS
Could you use an old skateboard deck. would not even glass it as it would be strong enough?

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:57 pm
by jumptheshark
Most foils would sink a skateboard deck.

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:04 pm
by nixmatters
jumptheshark wrote:
Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:57 pm
Most foils would sink a skateboard deck.
maybe he's got a chance with a carbon foil, a stick-on EVA traction pad on top and PE foam sheet on the bottom, as it would create less drag :)

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:38 am
by TomW
I finished up a solid balsa 110cm board. 3x8mm + 2,5mm layers glued together over a rocker form. Carbon fiber uni D strips on deck and bottom, glass fiber over it. 2,6 kg.
Next Time I'm making it narrower , partly hollow and only 3 Layers , save materials and lower weight

Re: Foilboard (Pocket/Strapless) Paulownia

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:16 am
by stevez
B19 ELS wrote:
Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:41 pm
Could you use an old skateboard deck. would not even glass it as it would be strong enough?
Like this:

https://www.instagram.com/nathanvanvuur ... 0yxbchx9o9

Though looks like it could do with some glass to stiffen up a little.