Shapers: can I recycle Open Oceans?

shred_da_gorge · Since 12 Nov 2008 1365 Posts Da Hood & Da Wood XTreme Poster

I've got an older 8'2" Open Ocean windsurf board shaped with just a little tail kick for the coast. I've sailed this thing hard for years and flat-landed the crap out of it. It's pretty badly delaminated mostly on the bottom/finbox but a little around the mast track. My question for those with shaping/glassing experience is: can I recycle this blank to shape a directional kiteboard? This board was shaped for very high winds and is not terribly thick; I have another 8'2" Open Ocean that's thicker and shaped for Gorge swell that's not long for this world either.

I believe it's a Clark blank, but I'm no expert. I've done plenty of both poly and epoxy repairs but never shaped from scratch and I know some of you have done some amazing projects (John!). I would think there'd be enough material there to reuse the blank, save for maybe issues with the finbox and masttrack areas.

This 'coast' board has finbox thrusters (and pintail) whereas my 'gorge' OO has glassed thrusters and round tail (it's delam is on the deck but currently repaired with polyurethane glue).

Any thoughts? Brian? Gary? Will they suffer fate as a coffee table or tacky Hood River yard ornament??

Yeah, Brian, I know how many times you told me not to leave them in the hot van with the windows up... Wink

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Can be a meessy project. A lot of work for when a new blank my be $60. The mast track box may get in the way. The foam gets less dense the closer to the core you go. Nose rocker is going to be tuff to match up with the windsurf thickness. Get the drift in my take on it. But still it worth a try if your not going to sail it or turn it into a bench.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

they used to shape shortboards out of long boards but like bob said it would be a lot of work .

Kitesail · Since 23 Jun 2006 108 Posts The Gorge Stoked

shred_da_gorge -
Sure; you could give it a go. Like everyone mentioned it is easier to get a blank with built-in rocker.

With that said; make sure you have template (stringer) length with the rocker you are looking for. You'll need a planer (or you could use a surfform) and calipers would be a big help too; ( which are easy to make out of wood)

As to the quality of the foam; you should be OK as long as you first seal the foam with poly or epoxy before glassing.

My 2c,
John