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The process of building a board of this type is more about a personal journey and creative expression than it is about popping out a board that looks like everything else on the water.
In the end, most builders don’t take on projects of this sort because it is easy. Building a hollow wood SUP can be learned by most people who truly want to learn the process but it is not a project for everyone. Certainly, previous woodworking experience helps. What I say to prospective hollow wood board builders is that if a board is “in you”, you will find a way to get it built. Most suppliers of kit components provide ongoing support during the building process, and as previously mentioned there are some great online resources for asking questions and gleaning insights into how the workflow should go. In the end, patience and commitment are the two main ingredients needed for you to finish a board and get it into the water.
A question many prospective hollow wood board builders ask is, “how long will it take?” There isn’t one answer to this question. It depends on the tools you have available, your eagerness to work on a woodworking project and the level of finished product you want to achieve. What can be said about building a hollow wood SUP is that it very well could be one of the most difficult but rewarding things you do in your life!
Words by : Randy Bogardus (founder of Clearwood Paddleboards)
So, if you’re interested in finding out more about building your own SUP, check out the Clearwood Paddleboards website and facebook page. Or email Randy on randybogardus@gmail.com.
Clearwood Paddleboard kits can be shipped worldwide.
Randy, I am currently building a wood SUP. I have purchased no kit or plans. Everything I’ve done so far I’ve learned from YouTube videos. My board is 12′ long. I’ve used cedar fence pickets for everything, and lots of glue and clamps. I built a jig to build it on. I’ve got about 24 hours into the project so far. I have a few questions, fin placement, single fin or tri-fin. size and shape of fin or fins. I’m planning on making the fin or fins out of wood. I’ll build up wood in the skeleton to receive the… Read more »
Hi Matt, thanks for getting in touch and congrats on taking on the full challenge of designing and building your own board! The question of type of fin set up has a great deal to do with how you will use you board and what type of ride you are looking for….single fins and tri fins have quite different ride characteristics. If you are going to use the board primarily for fitness and flatwater type paddling I would keep it simple and go with a single fin arrangement. I you want to surf the board as well, then tri fin… Read more »
Hi Randy was wondering if you could help me with the nose of my board. I am still in the “blue print” phase as i cannot figure out how wide to make it. I would like to do a kayak style nose as it would track better in the canadian waters. Any tips would be great.
Hi April, sure, I’d be happy to help you….some photos would be good to reference if you can send some….you can get in touch with me through the contact point on my website at http://clearwoodpaddleboards.com/ since I’m not sure photos can be posted in this comment section. In general, there are two choices for how to detail the nose….you can bring the rail strips together in mitered fashion or you can create a nose block that is rabbeted to accept the strips….a picture is worth a thousand words…..:-)
Hey Randy, I’m in the process of making a board somewhat like that of commenter “Matt” above. I’m a college student so I’ve been trying to keep the cost down as much as possible. I’ve used 6 inch Cedar fence boards to create the entire top/bottom/interior of the board (had to cut them in the middle to get the board shaped right). From a bit of reading I’ve done (total novice on paddle boards) I found that paddle boards built for speed are usually meant to cut through the water as opposed to going over it. I found it a… Read more »
Hi John, Lot’s to consider on all the point you address. If you could send me some photos of what you currently have done I can give you some feedback. But in general, you are correct about the difference between displacement vs planing. You may in fact have a shape that will work fine for general touring but send photos and I’ll get you some feedback. As far as the finish for the board, if you want your work to last you need to glass it. I would be happy to give you some feedback if you contact me at… Read more »