Hollow Surfboard Design - Rib and Spar Construction

Many people notice wooden surfboards on the beach or in the local surf shop and think they are crafted from solid wood or laminated pieces of wood to form a solid surfboard. While it is true that long ago surfboards were constructed out of solid wood, modern surfboards are constructed much lighter with hollow or chambered designs.

The general description of design in a hollow wooden surfboard is rib and spar similar to a fish skeleton with ribs and a spine. The design is exactly like the wing construction of a modern airplane where the skin actually acts as an integral part of the structural design including the deliberate contribution to the strength of the surfboard. While this process of making individual ribs and fastening these ribs to spar can be tedious and time consuming, one must take the time to make cuts precise and glue the structure with specific attention to a flat drying surface. The initial thought will be that the frame will not be strong enough to surf in even average waves but the rails and skin covering will supply more than enough structural integrity for the hand crafted surfboard. The rails are normally attached to the ribs and are constructed of laminated wood. Special wood blocking will be required to attach the fin to the hollow surfboard so as to provide extra strength.

Special concern will be need to be taken to eliminate future problems with expansion and contraction due to the change of air temperature inside the hollow surfboard as compared to the outside of the surfboard. This temperature change could easily occur when the surfboard is left in direct sunlight for a reasonably short time period. A vent will need to be installed to let the air pressure equalize when not in use.

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Building Hollow Wooden Surfboards - Use Caution and Remember the Silent Killer of Expansion

Hollow surfboards should be constructed with a proper vent to prevent damage from thermal expansion and contraction. It may be surprising but the air inside a surfboard will expand and contract significantly with changes in temperature. If the surfboard is not vented the air will expand so much that fractures will occur in the structure of the hollow board and water will leak in and damage the board. This quiet damage will occur while the surfboard is sitting in the sun or on the beach or during transporting to the beach for surfing. You may not even be aware that this thermal expansion has caused damage to the hollow wooden surfboard but over time it will be discovered when your wooden surfboard becomes waterlogged.

When building a wooden surfboard one should remember to properly vent your hand crafted board to prevent this damage from occurring. The vent can be simple and still be effective at its task of allowing air to pass in and out of the hollow space inside the surfboard. Some vents are one-way valves that only air to go out and do not allow water to pass into the board. These can be more expensive and can fail eventually. Another more simple method is to insert a screw into the surfboard that passes all the way through the skin and into the hollow area. This screw can have a head that is easy to turn with bare fingers and no tools required. These thumb screw can be removed while the board is not in the water to prevent thermal expansion. When you are building wooden surfboards take the time to install a vent to protect your surfboard from thermal damage.

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Article Submitted On: January 30, 2011

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