Wood Surfboard Plans

[Jackyoung]

I finally gave up on finding a book on building a modern hollow wooden surfboard and wrote one myself. I didn't want an old style paddleboard, I just wanted a board that looked like a real surfboard but had all the advantages of wood. I have sold this book all over the world and woodworkers are building them in all the surfing places as well as places like Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. Even sent a set of plans to Heidelberg Germany. Not exactly surf Mecca’s but its really a cool project. Definitely not a project for a novice but really not as hard as you might think. Check out www.woodsurfboardplans.com for pictures and details.

[doyle007]

Jack, that book looks unreal. I've always thought about building myself a center console boat for use here in NJ, but I never thought about building a surfboard. Lord knows that I don't need another board, but building my own would be great.

I now know what to tell my wife to get me for Christmas. I can't wait to read it.

[Jackyoung]

Awesome! There are about a dozen or so people in N.J. building a wood board from these plans right now. It really is a great project and the board always draws a crowd. Hope "Santa" comes through for you......jack

[jock2000]

Great I first saw these boards at Torquay during the 1956 Olympics dad brought one and we had great fun with it as our other boards were 16' and hard to handle in the surf.

[Jackyoung]

Right, when people think of wood surfboards they usually think of those huge 16' paddleboards. Most people are pretty amazed that this wood board looks exactly like a modern surfboard - its just made from wood. Right now we are looking at what structural changes would need to be made to add a sail to make is a sailboard too. Not sure its practical yet but we are looking...........jackyoung

[onthebeachalone]

I just bought a set of Jack's plans. Very clear, simple and well illustrated.

I've often thought that the boats some folks build are finished more like a piece of precious furniture than a "real" boat. If I built one of these boards I might as well finish it with some "WOW" factor because I can't surf and (I think I am) too old to learn. (I can't even swim very well).

It's main use to me would be to walk up and down the beach carrying it. :cool: (Which would be OK too!)

However, if the design concept were to evolve into a sailboard, now that's something I could use. Useful AND beautiful. :rolleyes:

Go for it Jack! :)

[Boatmik]

I'm sure Jack's plans are more flashy than these ones, but I remembered this thread when I was at the "National" Maritime Museum in Sydney.

Took some pics of some boards

http://static.flickr.com/113/308954355_82bde63976.jpg?v=0

And some interesting ones of a long surfski as a ply box.

I like the stainless steel and chrome bits. The back one is probably a handle to keep hold of the thing when all goes awry or to tow a lonesome swimmer back to shore.

Also like the chromed brass nose protector which I guess was to prevent damaging the woodwork should you run into someone or other.

http://static.flickr.com/109/308955382_4de1d1d0ca.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/113/308957875_576585bd18.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/101/308957105_49edcd46ca.jpg?v=0

All the pics are here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boatmik/sets/72157594396607543/

MIK

[tunahound]

Hey there,

Just in the process of building some of these wooden boards. Having a good time too. Have a look at the slide show titled "building wooden surfboards in sydney pt. 1" on www.youtube.com for pics of the process.

Cheers

Thanks Jack!

[Boatmik]

Duckflat also has some plans for a simple plywood hollow board copied from one from the '40s or early '50s
http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/gallery?KID=59

And there was this thread with a few more links
http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=5702

MIK

[soundman]

Aparantly "Hartly" has a surf board plan in a couple of his books back in the seventies.

cheers

[Boatmik]

The link for hartley is in the thread I posted a link to above.

Great minds think alike!

MIK

[Vernr]

This link should take you straight to the Hartley 'surfboard' pages......built a couple myself many years ago........great surfboards by the way!!!!

http://www.hartley-boats.com/surf.html

Cheers,
Vern

[Boatmik]

Howdy All,

Because they are so simple there is a great possibility for playing with the shape.

Not only were there a huge range of shapes in the wooden surfboard era, there have been some improvements in design over the intervening time and casting an eye over the development of the "modern mal' " would provide some benefits.

I probably wouldn't go "all the way" with trying to do a modern mal shape, but some of the lessons of width distribution and volume distribution might be worthwhile.

But the risk is that such a hybrid would not be so good for hanging 10 - you goofy footed grommets.

MIK

[whitewood]

There is also a guy in NZ you has designed modern hollow lightweight wooden surfboards. His name is Stewart and he sells the plans on eBay. (Delivered by email) I am on holidays at the moment and can't include his web site particulars but they appear to be soundly based and worth a look if that is the way a builder wanted to go.

[prozac]

John, the bloke you are thinking of is Roy Stewart and his site olosurfer.
Here's the link - http://www.olosurfer.com/

prozac

[Moondog]

Heys guys...

have you checked out the Grain Surfboard kits available from Capeboatowrks...

They have 9 different models.. light and modern designs........

rumour has it that Layne Beachley is getting one made for herself.... if they are good enough for the world Champ they should be good for us....

check them out www.capeboatworks.com.au

Moondog