Had another go with the Yacht varnish on Sunday.

I'm quite impressed with how it came out, what with constantly removing insects and bristles from the drying varnish (my slightly economy priced brush - 79p kept malting), the finish isn't too bad!

It still needs a couple more layers to make sure it's water tight, but it's close to completion..

Next job is to figure out best way to attach GoPro Cam to the front..

All Strung out...

Got some more time on the Alaia this weekend, I decided I wanted a nice darkwood look to the board so I stained the wood, I think it looks very nice and keeping with the classic look.

I also added some basic graphics (hey it's my first go lol)

but not sure the 'Stencil' font was the right choice, but it doesn't look that bad...

I thought I'd make the underside a little more interesting too so I put in a nice basic stringer-like arrow, I think it adds a nice direction to the board (and I'll always know which way is the front:) )

Here's a few more pictures of how it now looks, next task is to add multiple layers of Yacht varnish, and it'll hopefully be ready to get wet next weekend..

Bohdi hanging 8...

Here's Bohdi helping me out with the sanding...

Edging, more shaping and thinking about a rocker..

Managed to get some more time on the Alaia this weekend...
I didn't like the look of the overall length and shape so I took drastic action and shorted the board from a 7'6 to a 6'5 1/2.

I also curved and sanded the edges and with the help of a mates large orbital sander I managed to shape the nose into a shallow rocker.. and to say I'm pleased with the result is an understatement!

Next job is to add some graphics, stain and seal the wood and then apply the boat varnish... stay tuned...

The initial design..

I've read and re-read the 'Surfers Path' article, trying to get the feel of what the board should be, for me it represents a challenge, something physical that I can hold up and say 'I made that!' even if it doesnt work, it'll make a great wall hanger or picnic table for my van..

I'd done a little research on Alaia board design, mostly using Google image search to see what shape I should be looking for, I also looked at my existing quiver of 'normal' shapes.

In the end my final solution was to just look at the board and imagine what I'd like to see, and feel from it, so I made some marks, drew some lines and carved it up.

I ended up with what could best be described as a coffin lid... indeed one of our neighbours did enquire if I was building a coffin on the drive..lol.

Finding the base..

What I thought would be a relatively easy task to find a sheet of decent sized wood to use as the base, soon turned into a pain, after scouring many DIY stores, timber yards and anywhere I could think.. I was about ready to give up (yeah I know, already) so I left the project before it even started...

Then a couple of weeks went by and I was once again in a well known DIY store and I thought I'd just have a quick look at the wood, there was a 5' piece, but I knew I needed bigger, so I asked at the desk if they had anything, After a search the shop assistant told me they had one bigger sheet in, but it was reserved for collection, and after searching their store stocks list, there were no others in nearby branches, as she told me this a colleague of her's pipped up that he thought the collection time limit of the piece they had in had run out, and upon checking dates it was confirmed. Success - I had my 'blank'.. I could at last start the idea my friends had laughed at...!

The Idea...

I'd like to say that I had an epiphany to build an Alaia, but the truth is I read an article in 'Surfers Path' magazine about a guy in New York building one on the street, and I thought "Hell, Why not give it a go myself"

I'm going to try and chronicle the task here... it's my first attempt at blogging so bare with me...

The Alaia already has a name.. Caruso.. after someone I met, abeit briefly, Mandi Caruso.. I read her story in Surfers Path and was overwhelmed, we got in contact, shared many emails and met when she stopped over in UK on her world trip.

Sadly shortly after returning to Hawaii Mandi lost her battle. She made an impact of my life.. so I'm dedicating this board to her memory!