Don’t want to spend a small fortune on a prone paddleboard? Well neither do we! That is why we put together the ultimate guide on how to build a prone paddleboard. Follow our steps and you will be on your way to building your dream prone paddleboard.
What Do You Need To Build A Prone Paddleboard?
Squeegees
Ensure you have quality squeegees if you want secured lamination. It’s always good to select the best squeegee and note the correct pressure for laminating the prone paddleboard.
Here, the nitty-gritty plays a critical role in extracting the unnecessary resin and handling the entire wax.
Ensure you have only the needed resin on the board to prevent a crumbly finish, highly known for causing cracking issues.
Block Plane
A Block plane is another essential requirement when building a prone paddleboard. This tool plays a critical role in shaping the parts, cutting scarfs, and trimming off the wood portions.
However, ensure that you purchase a quality block plane.
Steps To Build a Prone Paddleboard
Build The Paddleboard Pannels
The first step requires you to build the panels. Remember, you can make the upper and lower panels become huge flat panels when making your prone paddleboard.
Here, you have to develop two flat panels, curved over risers’ scale and parallel to the completed board’s rockers and contours.
Note that you can’t find issues starting the process with a single piece measuring 30 inches wide if you have used three-quarters-inch strips to make a wooden kayak or canoe.
Build The Prone Paddleboard Frame
The second step requires you to build the fishbone frame. Here, the inside fishbone frame can work as the prone paddleboard’s framework, replacing that conventional foam core observed in paddleboards.
You can build a fishbone using a paper plane, but a paddleboard kit can work well because of its ability to create invisible twiddling works.
Build A Rocker Table
Step three involves building a rocker table. Here, the rocker table plays a critical role in setting the board’s rocker and bottom contours.
Prone paddleboards feature top-notch construction below them, where the rocker table you build needs to clasp into. However, you have first to sketch the board shapes on the computer.
Remember to use jigs so that you can obtain the correct structure. Now insert thin channels into the center of the match to create intricate shapes.
Stacking The Cover & Bead The Rails
Step four entails stacking the cover and board bead rails. Here, you can make the prone paddleboard rails by piling each cover strip and a quarter of 3/8 inches bead.
The confined cover strips play a critical role when applied on boards featuring rigid rails. You can curve each narrow strip with less hassle, and it’s only a few strips that require steaming.
With a cloth iron, you’ll get sufficient steam for around one minute. Besides this, you can manage to laminate several strips compared to compelling a single piece into a spot.
Note that the outer skin’s thickness does not go beyond a quarter of an inch, resulting in a board that weighs only ten percent bulkier than a top-notch foam board.
Blocking
Step five involves cutting off the nose portions and the tail. After handling the beads and cover rails, you need to get firm blocking by cutting off the tail parts.
With firm blocking, you’ll prevent the steaming curved tight radius. Through this, you give the nose and the tail a beautiful transformation.
Besides this, strong blocking plays a critical role in reinforcing the fin box, SUP handle, leash cup, and vent before including the top panel. You can build the interior blocking from reused foam or solid wood blocks.
Add The Top Panel
Step six involves adding the top panel. Remember, you must have clamp walls to handle this process successfully.
Here, the clamps play a crucial role in holding the material firmly. However, you can also use webbing straps or strings.
You can complete the actual clamping by using the wooden door wedges. Through this, it becomes hassle-free to arc the deck because you only need to do this by oppositely pushing the strong-back.
After adding the top panel, you need to use a drawknife and spokeshave to remove the residues. The final process is to shape the rails.
Sand & Glass The Paddleboard
The last step requires you to sand and glass. Here, consider polishing the entire board with sand to ensure everything remains flair and flat.
Glassing is the next step after sanding. However, you’re likely to get a challenge glassing if you lack fiberglass and epoxy background. But it’s not that challenging, even if you lack this background.
You only need to laminate the paddleboard, finish a hot coat, and apply a glossy coat for a shiny board.
The Benefits Of Prone Paddleboarding
Like several activities that involve one’s body, you’re likely to get a challenge if it’s your first time participating in prone paddleboarding. But, remember that’s one element of fun.
So, are there any benefits of using prone paddleboards? Yes, check them below:
Connectivity
Unlike several water activities/sports, prone paddleboarding is the most popular activity that involves putting your face ahead into the water. While participating, your eye remains in the same position as the water. Here, you can choose to lay flat on the stomach or kneel on the board.
Prone paddleboarding allows you to observe and feel the choppy waters, the current flow, and gentle waves in full. As a result, prone paddleboarding gives you an entire body experience in various ways compared to when participating in physical exercise. Moreover, with prone paddleboarding, you remain aware of all rises and falls of the board.
Exercise
This benefit remains the most popular one, but it’s a critical element of paddleboarding. Prepare yourself to get a challenge to enjoy this physical aspect if it’s your first time to start.
However, the thrill of going far and faster every time will make you come back for more. This activity burn will reduce after some time, and you can enjoy this experience while exploring all the benefits offered by prone paddleboarding.
Paddling Positions
Several water activities resemble prone paddling, whereby you focus on one position as the board runs. An excellent example is SUP paddling, whereby you remain on your feet as the paddle rows.
With the prone paddleboards, you can kneel or lay down on the stomach. Besides this, you’ll always switch the position up whenever you feel uncomfortable.
Furthermore, prone paddleboarding allows you to build different muscles for a longer time than when you focus only on one position.
Speed
The prone paddleboards can keep you moving as they break through the water and resist wind. The round bottom plays a critical role in ensuring you remain stable, and the pin-tail offers top-notch glide.
However, knee comfort significantly impacts the overall experience because it determines how quickly you can propel forward. Also, note that everything will demand less and remain more comfortable if you keep training more.
Prone Paddleboarding Tips
Prone paddleboarding remains to be an excellent recreational activity, but how can you make it better? Let’s see!
Start Short and Slow
Always start short and slow without considering how strong or prepared you’re. Put this tip into practice every time because this recreational activity entails using different muscles compared to stand-up paddleboarding. Therefore, you should always remain cautious.
Set aside much of your time to understand your prone board. Start with lying paddling and then move to knee paddling. Get tips on the ways to move or maneuver the paddleboard in shallow waters and deep waters.
Take Note of Weather and Wind
Like several water activities, weather/wind can significantly impact prone paddleboarding. Prone paddleboards can withstand windy conditions, but it’s critical to value your safety. Never risk your life by prone paddleboarding in dangerous weather conditions.
Let Your Neck Remain Relaxed
You can start with an inclining position to over-extend the neck to see everything in front of you, but this is not a must-step. It will overexert the muscles.
Therefore, you don’t have to lift the head so high if you’re in the correct position of your prone paddleboard. Remember, the paddleboard features a charming place for each individual. Therefore, try looking for it before paddling.
Consider going for a foam-chin rest if you have ever had neck problems before or experience neck issues when learning paddleboarding for the first time. Use Velcro tape to attach the foam-chin rest to the board.
Generally, the best way to participate in prone paddleboarding is to have an open mind when doing it.
If you plan to participate in prone paddleboarding, don’t lose hope if things turn to become challenging. Note that life will always start when your comfort zone comes to an end. Therefore, give prone paddleboarding and enjoy the outstanding benefits it offers.
