Just a practical reminder from what I’ve read:
- V = Board volume. At the beginning, you need a board that floats (safer in case of failure and faster learning curve) = (your weight in kg + 30 litres) x 1.1 for board nose bevel compensation (1).
Ex: for sbdy who weights 80 kg → board vol = 110 x 1.1 = 121 litres. Then the volume can go down depending on riding skills and confidence in gear. - P = Mast position : centre of mast at 20% of board length measured from board rear.
Board dimensions: L x W x T = V (so parametric). The shorter, the more manoeuvrable …
- L = Board length: Lmin = somewhere between your chin height up to your own size
- W = Board width: The largest value between Wmin1 and Wmin2 where:
Wmin1 = distance between your shoulders + 10 cm (comfort criterion)
Wmin2 = If you decide to insert a waterproof box inside your board = box width + 20cm that is Box width + 10cm on each side (board structural resistance criterion) - T = board thickness = V / (L x W)
Board shape: cannot be more simple
Top surface = flat surface
Bottom surface = flat surface (a V on the rear third seems to make the board stick to the water surface)
Board edges: small radius (20% of T the board thickness) to keep the volume. Avoid lengthwise bevels on bottom surface like kitefoil boards that make the board more unstable.
Board scoop (curved nose up when board seen sideways) : none needed but there must be a bevel to make water touchdowns more friendly :
Length of bottom surface = 0.8 x length of top surface.
(1) This 10% of board volume loss has been compensated above with the 1.1 factor in the volume determination.