Thursday, February 23, 2012

American Warrior Surfboards by Bill Whitley




Your Name: Bill Whitley

Your Brand Name: American Warrior Surfboards

How did you hear about us? Continuing Customer

How was your initial experience at Foam E-Z? Great

Why did you want to build your own board? This board is a wake surfboard. I shaped it

for my son as a Christmas present.

Shape of finished board? Wake Surfboard

Size of finished board: Length 5'4" Nose 14-1/2" Width 21" Tail 16" Thickness 2- 3/4

What blank did you use? 5'10"RP US Blanks Fish

How was your board building experience? This board is my 2nd so it went a lot easier.

Did you use videos, books, web, other? Glassing video, and got shape and size from

internet. Help from Johnny @ Foam E-Z

What videos, books, web, other did you use? Master Glasser DVD

Do you recommend these resources? Yes.

What do you wish you knew going into this project? Nothing really after first board I

know it just takes doing it over and over to get better


What would you recommend to someone else for their first time? Plan well even before you buy the blank. Think what you want the board to do, see what the 10 million experts

say how to get that then pick one that sounds right for you. They are all right for them

and the boards they sell. Watch the Videos, Read, Get help from someone who has

shaped. It's not really rocket science just looks and acts like it. Measure everything 2

times put marks everywhere to help guide you. Patience and planning are the most

important. If you plan on doing this in the Garage then check out a true Shaping Room

and try to set that up at Home.

What tools did you find most useful? Shaping Box at Foam E-Z, Tape measure, CF Planer,

Foam E-Z square and help from Johnny

Where did you run into trouble? The Rails. Paint. I suck at it. Had to sand board down

and take it to Foam E-Z and have their guy paint it.

What kind of fin system did you use and why? Futures. Have them on my first board.

Did you glass the board and what was that experience like? Yes. with lots of help from

Johnny. Not as hard as I thought. Just take your time, & have a place to make a big mess.


Where did you shape and glass your board? Started & finished in my garage. Did the

basic shaping in the Box at Foam E-Z. Glassed it in a garage.

What type of board do you want to make next? A Fish. Maybe a short board to sell so I

can make another board. Or replicate my old Plastic Fantastic.

I'd like to thank everyone @ Foam E-Z, Johnny for helping on glassing. JD Surf Design for painting.

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