Ciencias

INTRODUCTION
The following will guide you around the pitfalls of building your first surfboard.  With this help you won't have to learn as so many of us have... by making every mistake possible.  This book is for the garage or backyard builder who has few tools and little money.  The following information has been tested, and is the result of  friends building their first surfboard with me. Also,  thousands of  interesting people have emailed their questions and results.
If you are browsing for general information, and not building a board right now, please go to the MISCONCEPTIONS and TIPS chapters.
At this point you might ask yourself, do I really want to do this?  Is it worth saving roughly half the cost of a showroom board?  Is it worth buying new tools?  No book or video canmake building your first surfboard easy.  If you are not used to building things, it may be so difficult you regret it.  It's dusty, sticky, sweaty, and toxic work, and the pro shops mostly do a good, cosmetically pleasing (although somewhat disposable) job.  Consider reading this in order to gain information on how to custom order a more durable surfboard from a shop. 
On the positive side,building a board can be very rewarding.  Everyone who follows the directions manages to finish somehow, and almost everyone who makes one will make another.  Much of the work and expense on the first board (such as racks, blocks, and tools) won't have to be duplicated on following boards. 
This guide was written for first time builders.  Many of the techniques mentioned differ from productionsurfboard building.  Much effort has been made to lessen  problems, and save money.  Read through the entire book before making any purchases.  There are many options.  First time builders tend to make the same kind of mistakes.  The goal of this book is to prevent board ruining mistakes.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR FIRST SURFBOARD’
By: Stephen Pirsch
DESIGN
Deciding on shape is probably the most importantpart of making a surfboard.  Thrusters and longboards have their place, but many surfers are riding designs which do not maximize the fun possible on the type of waves being ridden.  Often it seems the image a surfer thinks he will portray is affecting his design decision. 
The best way to simplify the decision is to ride as many different surfboards as possible.  This is important.  It isunlikely you will ever know what is best suited for you if you do not experiment.  One hour surfing a different board is better than ten hours reading about design, or listening to opinions.  Most surfers will let you try their board for a few minutes.  Try your friends' boards or rentals.  Find one you like, then copy it or modify it.   
I love seeing all types of surfboards, but I feel that thebiggest design drawback is simply building too small.  This appears to be a common problem with all types of surfboards.  My friends and I are happier surfers now that we are designing for the average conditions of ourselves and our home break.  Many people quit trying to surf  simply because their board is too hard to paddle and catch waves.  
Generally accepted truths about surfboard design: 1. A relatively wide, thick, long, flat shape is generally better for small or slow waves. 
2. A relatively narrow, thin, short shape with more than average bottom curvature is generally better for fast, hollow, or large waves (not double overhead plus).
3. A relatively long fin(s) or one placed towards the tail end will make turns  having a larger radius and having a feeling ofprojection (energy is transferred strongly from one direction to another).
4. A relatively short fin(s) or one placed towards the nose will make shorter radius turns and will have a feeling of looseness (board will turn easily but slide somewhat). 
5. Sharp down turned rails are better suited for hard, leaning, gouging turns in smooth water conditions (sharp and down turned only in the rear...