Toolbox picture

Lofting

Just a note to remind myself to write up the problem that Jabreel and I had when lofting today!

My favourite hang gliding news web site/blog

http://ozreport.com/

Ideas on my next Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Board

My last design/build (ply catamaran) with me as paddler finished in the top 10 out of over 140 in the 2010/11 Beach Series Races. The main objective with my next one is to place higher. Last time I tried the cat for stability, low wave resistance and accepted the higher wetted surface area. I could beat medium performers on the latest commercial race boards (mainly from Starboard - http://www.star-board-sup.com/  the fastest being this one 2011 - 12-6-x-25-ace  but could not better the top athletes on these boards - hence going to the gym to train during the winter! However I am never likely to be stronger than the best athletes hence the desire to design build my way to the finish line!

Basic parameters:
1.Build WAY lighter. The Cat SUP board was about 30 kg's versus less than half that of the commercial (single hull boards).
2. Optimize waterline length for optimal speed for power (me, low!) - by using far less wetted surface.
3. Compromise stability to (some degree) for less wetted surface and practice more to optimise balance.

Construction
Skin on frame is current favourite. Its very light, resilient, flexible, reasonably quick to design and build.

Video of intro to skin on frame kayaks

and another (time lapse) - it doesn't seem to take long!

Time Lapse - S.O.F. kayak build workshop

I will be exploring this site for ideas: http://www.seawolfkayak.com/

Training for last years Beach Series

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http://www.beachseries.co.nz

Cross Country Hang Glider Flight - Moirs Hill to Matapauri Bay 101km

The outrigger version - so tippy it was not as fast as the cat version - too much concentration required to stay the right way up - which was not always achieved!