rodndtube.com's (OLD) MyPaipoBoards Forums. Reading but no posting on the OLD forums.

John Mellor · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: Location: Los Osos, CA

After finding a broken Pearson longboard in a dumpster at Morro Strand State Beach, I stripped it, freehand (no template) shaped it, and let it sit around for about a year.

I was really intrigued with the hoop fins that Roy Stewart has been doing and saw some videos of various model toys that employ foiled hoops for aerodynamics. I sent Roy a crude drawing of a hoop fin idea I had and received positive feedback from him. Heck, if those kids can ride Boogies with NO fins, I can improvise and probably find something that works better.

I wrapped some glass and carbon fiber cloth around a 5 gallon resin pail, laminated a foam strip, foiled it and laminated some more carbon before glassing it on the board.

Of course, now that I've given Roy credit for the inspiration, I can only blame him if it doesn't work!

http://photothru.com/album_view_thumbnail.asp?aid=135324

Poobah · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:48 am Post subject:

John Mellor · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: Location: Los Osos, CA

It worked great today on it's maiden voyage. Fast and maneuverable.

Poobah · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 2:02 am Post subject:

Side view:

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp16/Lamaroos/hooper02.jpg

Poobah · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 2:12 am Post subject:

Nose view:

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp16/Lamaroos/hooper03.jpg

John gave me this board at the campground Friday night. Wow! Thanks again, John. I nearly caused a few accidents driving through Los Angeles as people in the lanes around me suddenly SLOWED DOWN to 75 MPH to get a closer look.

AM_Glass · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: Location: Santa Cruz, CA

I'm curious how it worked. I would imagine that the loop fin would maintain it's characteristics whether the board was flat or on a rail. With the short distance from leading edge to trailing edge I would think it would allow side slipping. I could also imagine how foil could be added that would create lift in the tail, similar to the effect I've felt on a bonzer longboard. How was the loop fin constructed?

John Mellor · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: Location: Los Osos, CA

Hi -

I laid up some 7 oz fiberglass cloth over a 5 gallon resin bucket. This was followed by a foiled foam strip and some carbon strands along the leading edge. This was followed by a layer of carbon fiber cloth and 4 oz glass. After popping it off the "mold", I cut off the flashing with a Dremel tool and added a layer of carbon cloth and 4 oz glass on the inside. A little finish sanding and it was glassed on to board. I sprayed some clear coat over it.

I was able to test ride it in some really fun 3-4 foot peeling point waves and had a blast. I plan to make some more hoop fin boards. They generate a lot of interest and actually seem to work!

I am very pleased that Larry accepted it in his bitchen collection of historic paipos.

RoyStewart · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:56 pm Post subject: Orbulators

Nice one guys, the world's first orbulator Paipo!
_________________
www.woodensurfboardbuilder.com

Poobah · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 12:32 am Post subject:

Hi Roy,
initial test rides have worked in small surf better than I thought it would. I still think I'd like to move the fin back toward the tail someday. In between the reset, I want to ride the board finless. I like the combo fish/crescent tail that John shaped. I'm curious to know how the board holds up with its shape alone, and then reorbulate the board. Are you going to start with a semi orbulator on your Acid Drop hull? And what is widest tail you ever attempted to fin with a pure semi orbulator?

RoyStewart · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2004 1:53 pm Post subject:

Hi Poohbah,
All the semi orbulators I have used so far have been on standup boards, but I always try to get that fin as far back as possible. The widest tail I have used with a semi orbulator is around 16 to 17 inches, on a very extreme 9'6" with a 4" thick rail and a lot of rocker. The board has an orbulator diameter of ten inches. I am still undecided about the fin setup for my new spoon.
_________________
www.woodensurfboardbuilder.com