Rocker and Flex

[klen]

I am putting together another waterski skate for a buddy of mine. I got my hands on an old Cypress Gardens "Full Banana Trixter" ski from the 60's. It is only 54 inches long and 7 3/4 inches wide at its widest point, so it is shorter and wider than my skiskate.

The issue that I am having with it is that it is a flexy ski, and it already has a pretty heavy rocker. Not sure if you can tell by the picture, but it is sitting next to my Original Freeride 47", which is flat.

I figure that the ideal wheelbase for this ski would be around 38 inches. At that wheelbase, the ski touches the ground if you try. In the picture below, I have trucks sitting at 32 inch wheelbase (not drilled yet) , and it is still a little flexy, but it would work.
I was thinking of equipping it with either Original S8s and Flashies, or Original S10s with Gumballs.

My predicament:
I have read here that boards with rocker should be stiff. Is that a hard and fast rule, or a suggestion? Based on what?

I like the look, size and shape of this ski, but I was looking to get the wheelbase wider than 32 inches on it.

Suggestions?
Would some sort of 1x4 stringer down the middle (underneath) fix the bounciness so we can increase the wheelbase? Has anyone tried something like that before?

Thanks, dudes.

[Bushman]

fiberglass the bottom with one or two layers. 8)

[Partyboypowell]

I know its not what you asking for, but have you tried running it upside down so its cambered ? Im guessing you could have alot longer wheelbase that way....

[radioactive_matt]

it shouldnt matter too much unless it flexes to the floor. a stringer would probably be the easiest way to strengthen it

[klen]

I know its not what you asking for, but have you tried running it upside down so its cambered ? Im guessing you could have alot longer wheelbase that way....

The bottom is blank. The top looks cool. Upside down is not an option.
It can look cool and be a fun functional board. I just need to figure out the best way to do it.........

[Partyboypowell]

I know its not what you asking for, but have you tried running it upside down so its cambered ? Im guessing you could have alot longer wheelbase that way....

The bottom is blank. The top looks cool. Upside down is not an option.
It can look cool and be a fun functional board. I just need to figure out the best way to do it.........

Have a cool bottom and gripped top Kidding, hope you can sort that beauty out mate

[surfinsmiley]

Just get some nice long rails for it. She`ll be allright I`d reckon.
My 44" deck bottoms out if i try but it never actually happens when I`m skating it.

If rails don`t suit your style then I`d probably go high tech with it and wrap it is carbon fibre or simple glass for a more classic look. That would give it the classic torsion box effect.

Just make sure you have really good sisscors for cutting the carbon and use some GOOD quality epoxy resin. Very easy to work with.

[stokesdakat]

see my page if you want to know about waterski-longboards... been building them for the last 7 years. there are a few rules i build by that i have learned along the way. just got a video put on youtube with some footage of my most recent board:

my myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stokesdakat

video on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmFavaWtUcE

if you have any questions, just email me at stokesdakat@hotmail.com i'd be glad to help you figure one out.

longboard jon

[jestah]

Fiber glass or carbon the bottom using Uni fabrics (99% of the fibers running nose to tail)

and if you want super stiff run a stringer (5mm or so) that is slighty wider than the truck base palates under the glass.

that board is going to be sexy!!!