Has anyone ever seen anything like this on the water?
Thinking of building purely for the sake of a project, but would like to know thoughts on if it would sail or not.
"quote"
Wooden Raceboard
Recent years have seen the price of racing sailboards skyrocket to $4,000 plus, excluding many sailors. Now you can afford to join the race with a board thats inexpensive to build and be just as competitive.
Like all of Michael's designs, they are easily built. The construction is similar to that of a model aircraft.
The comprehensive plan also incudes fitting a mast track and a finbox to take a standard Turtle fin.
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I'm not sure about the definition of "raceboard" but it surprised me to see a dagger board in there.
I'm sure it would sail, but very much doubt it would be competitive, think it would come out a tad heavy.
Thanks Decrepit, yeh I don't expect this to be competitive to any degree, but might be fun to build. I was wondering how critical weight would really be,wouldn't there be large variances in rider weights to negate board weight?performance of any board would be based on design wouldn't it?(I know this probably lacks design for good performance, but I lack skill for that anyway !)
By the way, my first estimates on materials seem to indicate I might get it out under 20kg's, which I didn't think too bad considering Kona one is 17kg's I think.
John Gettens used to race home-made wooden longboards years ago. They were vast; about 14' long I think, and very, very quick a lot of the time. The weight doesn't have to be a problem as you gain by not having a core.
However, in longboards the rocker line is absolutely critical. You may need to try to find something like a Mistral Pan Am or F2 Lightning 380, IMCO or Fanatic Cat to make sure that this will sail well.
weight is a big factor!
Don't be fooled into comparing it with your own weight, and thinking it's such a small percentage it doesn't matter.
That's a common error, your weight is part of the power train, (it's counterbalancing sail sideways thrust). The board and rig are dead weight, getting them as light as possible has a big impact.
20kg sound very heavy to me, but I haven't got much experience with big boards
20 is not that heavy is it? First one designs and what I learned on (Tyronsea thingy) were about the same weren't they? (too long ago to remember, too lazy to google it 
)
BUT the main problem with the wooden ribs/stringers/ply construction is that if you get a minor hole in it whilst sailing you are not coming home!!!
Just googled original windsurfer and they came out at 20kg's.
I think a lot of early "plastic" longboards would be close to that.
I will give it a go and see how it turns out, something to do when there is no wind.
As for a small hole in it - as a beginner windsurfer, my swimming has improved so should be right!
As for the weight of it:
I've got an old Cavman Raceboard for really light days and teaching mates (huge thing probably 300L or something), it weights 18kg and goes okay I reckon. Sorta plasticy top and some wood in the hull too, glassed bottom.
Hope that helps somehow in working out if you one will work
Why not use balsa and reinforce critical areas with carbon and seal the whole thing in epoxy?
i have always wondered what it would be like if there was some way of replicating or manufacture artificially, different materials that grow naturally.
such as.....(try not to laugh
) the shell of a pistachio nut...
think about it....its as light as a feather, as stiff as carbon and impact resistance...well
you know what i mean.granted a lot of its strength come from its shape but you got to admit its pretty tough stuff......now just got to peel a million more for my next board..
) the shell of a pistachio nut...
Hi mate, you may like to check out my efforts last year. No blue prints needed!
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