Here is our second post of 3 on our layups/construction. This was our original layup for our very first 3 designs. Real Bamboo and Carbon fiber together for timeless appeal.
We still have our CNC’s and hand finished EPS foam core with real wood stringer for strength. The Real bamboo is vacuum bagged and has 6 ounces of fiberglass above and below it for durability and beauty. The main difference is the rails are meticulously layered woven carbon fiber with fiberglass above. This takes a great deal of precision and more hands on time to get it right. Often we have 2 or 3 glassing technicians working on the same board.
This layup is our heaviest. The Carbon fiber does not compress as much during the vacuum bag process and retains more thickness. This increases weight a bit, but also durability and repairability. These rails are our thickest. they have 6 ounces of fiberglass above the carbon. This is what give it the “wet” look and depth. The glass on top makes it easier to refinish the rails when your board is well loved or make a repair without sanding into the carbon fiber. Get a small scratch, no problem, just buff it out with Meguiar’s Professional Diamond-cut and keep rubbing until it is back to a high polish.
Hey,
I’m going to order the Drifter but I’m struggling with carbon fiber rail or standard. Trying to understand why the stiffness and extra weight from the carbon fiber rail is the better choice in the surf. This will be my go-to in the surf at Atlantic Beach. Any advice is much appreciated.
thanks!
Brian,
Our carbon fiber rail is beautiful, however a bit heavier than our standard solid color rail (vacuum bag tech with real bamboo). We would recommend the Drifter solid color rail for your use in the surf. It will still be very durable, more so than almost any other SUP you find out there. We compress the fiberglass matt to increase the fiberglass density and reduce the amount of resin (which is brittle). The end result is a very tight and strong layup.