I have a lot of questions. I’ve searched the forum for several but there are the ones I couldn’t find answers to. At least not recent ones.
I want something I can pop up on in flat water or small wakes so I can go ride wakes of boats on my local lake. Pumping off the dock to the wakes is about a 2 minute trek. I’ve done it, but it’s a long swim back to the dock if I fall. I will also do short downwind, probably, on the same lake. I’m 83 kg and a solid paddler. I spent many years sup racing before starting to foil.
My questions are;
How are inflatable boards now? I have no more room in my garage and my 8 year old daughter will be pretty mad if I sell her kayak.
Does anyone know or have thoughts about the diy plywood board on B&B yachts website? I’ve built many boards. That design wouldn’t be an issue.
I don’t have a good answer for your other questions but I have seen the B&B design in action. The designer is a member of our local foil club and a really good foiler. I don’t know him well but have been out at the same time and seen him on one of his homemade boards (although not sure if it’s the one you’re considering).
Ace Air Foil Inflatable Foilboard 2025 – Starboard I would go for one of these direct plate models over the standard sup style construction. I bought a 7’6" gong board, and it’s a 20% skill decrease. This is presumably due to it’s sticky round rails, smushy air filled design, and heavy nature. It’s not bad for winging, fits in a golf bag, but I would go for the star board if I had another try. (or the folding board!) I don’t know how well the 1.5cm carbon plate withstands flexing from pumping, but I assume it’s better than a base plate below the board.
Depending on your weight, you’ll be able to paddle up a gong or star board after some practice.
Optionally, get a pump scoot for your daughter and sell the kayak!
According to the website, if you use the right plywood, poplar, the board comes out to just over 14 lbs. part of the problem is getting poplar plywood though.
Hopefully not against forum rules? I’m Alan, I sell the plywood board kit at B&B. Here’s a few pics from some that have been built. Mine weighs 14lbs. I think that’s about the same as some of the early dw boards. It taxis really well. I can’t paddle up but maybe someone in our group could try to paddle it up and report back.
Hey Alan. The board looks beautiful. Any chance you know how much shipping the kit to California would be? I actually bought plans for the board already, but could never find poplar and lost my connection to a cnc machine. I emailed your site earlier so feel free to ignore that if you see this first.
I’ve got a lot of experience with both inflatables and hollow wood boards. Both are good as Wing boards but I don’t think are worthwhile for pure DW. Might be viable for PW.
all the inflatables are the same, get one generally DW shaped and get it as cheap as possible and pump it to 20 or Even 22 psi. Makes a HUGE difference. Weight is fine
I made a hollow wood board of my own, if you have done stitch and glue before you can just do your own design from a sheet of 3/16 plywood. I did okume ply with m carbon around the tracks and Carbon under floor for stiffness. Mine was totally flat on top flat on bottom and square sides and is fine. Little heavy 17 lbs. but fun. More annoying since I’m extra careful with it as it is a little more fragile. And I know it’s one good flooding away from being trash. Fun in Light wind flat water but I’d never use it in waves.
I think the cheap inflatible(don’t pay more than $500) has the edge just for piece of mind.
I do like the idea of an inflatable and it’s a lot better than hollow ply when you fall and land on it. When i did the hollow ply board the inflatable dw boards weren’t a thing yet. One of the guys in our club has one but I think it’s too draggy for paddle up even still. I just lent him my board so he’s gonna do some paddle ups with it. Def agree on high pressure on inflatable any floppyness will be lost energy.
i’m of the opinion that if they could refine the inflatible technology some and get us to 30 PSI it could be a viable replacement for most hard boards.
