Since it's winter in Ohio, I thought I would work on building a hydrofoil board. I rode an airchair last summer and was more or less able to get the hang of it so why not build a board? I bought a kit from https://www.clearwaterfoils.com. All I have to do is fiberglass everything and put it all together. I'll be ready to float behind the boat in no time! What's the worst that could happen?
Down in my buddy Matt's basement, AKA "the boardroom" we got busy with a lot wood working and fiberglass layup.
We started with a kit of pre made wooden components from clearwaterhydrofoils.com and started coating them in fiberglass.
Don't forget PPE with all those fiberglass particulates!
Attaching the mast to the baseplate with lots of epoxy.
...then add lots of fiberglass and carbon fiber.
Started on the board. Chose cedar for its low weight, good color, and low cost!
Gluing slats together to make my curved board...
... then hand planing smooth
Matt tested his foil board!!!!
...and found a design flaw: Looks like the inserts pulled right out!
Time to revise the design a little!