Blunt nose spar

I had fun transferring the spar drawing to the spar. Old school drafting is almost a lost art since the advent of CAD. This board has a nose rider profile. I decided against doing a nose concave.


D.

Starting a new project

I drew up the spar for my Blunt Nose. The board will be 9'2" long and share the same plain shape as my evolution longboard. It's got a noserider spar with 2" of nose and 4" of tail rocker. I'm looking forward to making the spar, ribs, nose and tail pieces in the next week.

D.

I'm thinkin' blunt nose.

I've seen a few and really like them. Thanks to Board Design and Austin Surfboards for the inspiration.

D.

Digging out

It looks like a mess but, you should have been here yesterday. I've been sorting and getting rid of lots of stuff. You might be able to see the evo noserider under those piles on the bench top. I hope to clean things up in the next week. Then I can finish sand and clear coat it.

D.

Man's best friend.

Last week I came to a conclusion. My house is too lonely. I haven't lived by myself in close to thirty years. With no wife and kids grown up living away, it makes for some long quiet days.

I've had several dogs in the past and thought it'd be a good time for another. Yesterday, I adopted Luke. He's a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier with lots of potential. I think he's as gentle, smart and respectful as any dog I've ever owned.

We are off to a good start and I'm looking forward to many years of companionship.

D.

What do I mean.

This is more about what drives me to build what I do. I would have to credit lots of people. For the first few years it was Rich, Paul and Roy. They were the big three in HWS for me and anyone that does not realize that ain't with it. Yeah, I'm a name dropper too.

For the last few years my attention has been on Cooper, Austin, Zeph, and Jim Phillips. These guys are the best IMO. The reason is because their designs work for me. It's that simple.

All of the people I've mentioned have more than paid their dues and are excellent in their craft. Why wouldn't you try to copy them. I still have a lot to learn. Just ask my kids, they are all way smarter than me.

Please don't be a hater.

Aloha

D.

Vent port

Installed my 3/8" drop anchor vent port. I'll start sanding on it this week to prep for clear coat.

D.

It's about the rails.

Rails make me happy. The tapered rails I've been surfing and building are the best. I'm reminded of this every time I get out in the water. It's a lot easier to manage my board when it doesn't have those fat boaty rails. You wouldn't think it'd make much of a difference but, it does.

Tapered rails work for me for two reasons. I think it's easier to catch waves because of the board's foil shape. The only way to get that shape is with tampered rails. What I like best though is having better rail control when dropping in or turning. With a fat not so tapered rail, it's a lot harder to feel that rail. The shape of the bottom also makes a huge difference. I like some belly in the middle, nose concave and vee in the tail. Those features work better for me than a board with a flat bottom.

Ok, that's how it works for me. I love my evo and the nose rider is going to be even better. All you guys that have to run to the nose to stay in the wave know what I'm talking about.

D.

Hot Coat

The top got done.

Laminated pivot fin

This is the last layer of glass.

The board got laminated.

Laminated with 4 oz. S-2 glass and epoxy resin.

Pivot fin under construction

This is my version of a pivot fin. I rough shaped and it still needs more sanding.

More rough shaping

I sanded on the top today. It's still needs lots of work but, it's getting there.

Rough Shaped

This is my first day of rough shaping. I try to break it up over several days. It's coming along.

Ugly baby

The woodworking is done. I hope to start shaping when the temperature cools downs a bit. More to come.

New board coming to life.

My first Dirty Crows Board. For those that don't know, I started designing and building wooden boards in 2007 under the Woody Logic Surfboards name.  In 2010 I decided to change my label to Dirty Crows.

My background in surfing began in 1972.  I started surfing in Hawaii and continued in San Diego, California.  There were lots to trips to Baja also.  In 1989 I moved to Florida.

I've shaped many foam boards for myself and friends.  It wasn't until 2007 that I became interested in wooden boards.  Since then, I've sold many DYI kits for a variety of boards.  I've also sold short, medium length and longboards.  I build boards to ride.  They also make beautiful wall hangers.