Fiberglass is best! Add Strength & Durability to Paddleboards and Wakesurfs
Time after time we fall in love with the transformation process that occurs when fiberglassing the wood Paddleboards & wood Wakesurf Boards. It begs the question.. What exactly is fiberglass? What purpose does it serve?
What You Need to Know About Fiberglass
Fiberglass is used for a wide variety of products ranging from boat construction to home insulation. But what makes it so special? And why do we use so much of it at a paddleboard and wakesurf board shop?
What is Fiberglass?
Well, fiberglass, or glass fiber, is a reinforced plastic material which is composed of a woven material that is embedded with glass fibers which are randomly laid across each other and held together with a binding substance. Fiberglass is combined with resin to form an extremely strong and durable composite.
How Strong is Fiberglass?
While the exact number for the specific strength of fiberglass varies depending on the specific composite, a good average is about 1,307 kN m/kg. For comparison, stainless steel’s specific strength is 63.1, and titanium is 260. That is crazy! Pound-for-pound it is WAY stronger than steel!
Fiberglassing a Wood Wakesurf
Why We Use Fiberglass on All Our Wood Paddleboards & Wakesurf Boards
All Shore Boards are layered with 6oz fiberglass cloth on the outer shell, and we also fiberglass the internal skins of the boards with 1.5oz fiberglass cloth. Both layers are married with the MAS Epoxy systems. This combination makes for an extremely durable, and waterproof skin that protects the internal components of the board.
Most of the Surf & Paddle industries utilize a fiberglass cloth mixed with a polyester resin which lacks the strength, durability, and UV protection you’ll find in an epoxy based system. Let’s compare.
Vintage Wakesurf Board
Epoxy vs. Polyester Resin
An epoxy’s relative strength can hold up to 2,000 lbs. per square inch, while a polyester resin can hold less than 500 lbs. per square inch. Epoxy is more resistant to wearing, cracking and peeling, and corrosion or damage from chemical or environmental degradation. This makes it the perfect material for protecting our wood paddleboards and wakesurf boards.
Lastly, this combination of fiberglass and epoxy makes construction of a Stand Up Paddleboard, or Wakesurf board literally last you a lifetime. So, you’ll have the comfort in knowing that your board is ready for any adventure that you want to take it on. Time to get out & explore!
