Surfriding Very expensive first time surf trip....Because Now I am hooked!

lovetheriver

lovetheriver

Location
San Diego
I went out to the surf for the first time yesterday and all I can say is that I am now hooked. I have a 1994 FX1 and before I really go out again I want to do the necessary upgrades I have read about on the forums, but would like some feedback before I start handing over the credit card.

The first thing I want to do is to reinforce the hull, my bother has a fx1 which he picked up ready to go in the surf and it was reinforced with carbon fiber cloth, would this be a good kit to go with and would it be enough?? I plan on also wrapping the pole for extra strength. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Fibe...DefaultDomain_100&hash=item2c5eb6e24b&vxp=mtr

Secondly I want to install footholds, since the FX1 tray is already so small could anyone suggest a good set of holds as well as the weight of cloth I should be looking for. Also is there a good website someone could point me to for installation and for purchasing the product.

I will be also installing a bilge pump as well as hood straps, and hopefully that will get me pretty much where I would want to be. As soon as I get all the parts together I will start a build thread from start to finish, thanks for the help!
AJ
 
smoofers

smoofers

Rockin' the SQUARE!!!!
Site Supporter
Location
Granbury, TX
As for the carbon, you can get away with 17oz biax fiberglass for way cheaper. www.uscomposites.com has carbon and glass in bulk, as well as epoxy resin.

For an FX you will need about 2 yards of 17oz biax for the gunwales. For filling the bondline gap, I would also get some 3m glass micro bubbles (1lb is way more than enough) to use to thicken the epoxy. Get the epoxy to a peanut butter consistency and use a bondo spreader to fill in the bond line (sand smooth before glassing over it). If you plan to do footholds, I have put Tom21 (member name on the X)holds in an FX with no problem (the ones made for 1" underpad). I would get a few yards of 8oz twill weave for doing those. As for resin, a gallon kit of the 3:1 medium epoxy would be plenty, get the pumps too to make measuring easy.

There's tons of info on the site about exactly this process, do a few searches so you know what you're getting into.

Edit: The kit you posted a link to will not be enough for you to have some spare material for screw ups, hence why I recommend US Composites - best price and great service.
 
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shaunsteezy

shaunsteezy

Location
HUNTINGTON BEACH CA
get 1 gal of west systems epoxy resin and a quart of the SLOW hardner w/ the pumps (makes it alot easier). i did 3 layers of 10oz straight weave glass and then one layer of 8 oz carbon weave on top. lay it all up at once. sand everything very throughly and clean with acetone, paint thinner, mek or something like that. i filled the bond line in with thickend epoxy mixed with micro bubbles but theres a number of things you can use like west systems 404 and 403 i believe.

have fun. its one hell of a project!
 
special fx

special fx

X
Location
Brigantine, NJ
Also, You can use vinylester resin (or even polyester) on an FX-1 since it's made out of polyester not SMC....you don't have to use epoxy.

They're also pretty strong right out of the box (haven't cracked one in 18 years of abuse), with the exception of the flange for the hood. Best to fill the gap under the flange and layup a little glass there.
 
Fro Diesel

Fro Diesel

creative control
Location
Kzoo
If you are glassing use a digital scale to mix your ratios right. Don't trust the pumps.
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We didn't use any footholds that you can buy. Way cheaper to make it yourself by carving up some 2part urethane foam. Made a ffh too. I like uscomposites.

sent from Fro Diesel using tapatalk2
 
lovetheriver

lovetheriver

Location
San Diego
Very good information here, definitely not getting much work done here at work! I will probably end up just buying footholds as I have no experience with glassing. I will probably have my buddy who makes his own surf boards help me with glassing at least until I get the hang of it.
 
227

227

Its all about the surf!
Location
Oceanside, CA
Lovetheriver Welcome to the REAL addiction! Now that you've tasted the surf, and BEFORE you start your build, I would highly recommend that you come up and ride with us in Oceanside this Saturday. The most surf riders of any day (and biggest varity of skis) always show up on Saturdays so you can check out everyones setup and possibly find some one elses ski that you like and would want to model your build after. Meet everyone at the Oceanside launch ramp at 7am this Saturday
 
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