Board Modifications
Getting a prototype board from the other side of the world is always a bit of a risk, you know the numbers that went into the software, you know what you and the designer wanted to achieve but you don’t know how it will turn out until you unpack it and get it wet. Back in April 2018 I blogged about McConks first go at a hard board and that worked out pretty well with only two minor niggles on an otherwise splendid board; the handle wasn’t the one specified and there was some glue on the deckpad.
Of those two the handle turned out to be more than a niggle; because it wasn’t deep enough carrying the board any distance was a pain as was retrieving the board from pontoons or jetties. So much of a pain that I started to look for a solution and for someone who could implement that for me here in Sweden. After talking to some of the locals I approached crosswater.se who are based not too far away outside Varberg.
My three options were;
1 replace it with a larger, deeper recessed handle custom made for the board by Crosswater.
2 leave it and add carry straps to the deck
3 remove it and add a LiftSUP handle
Of the three the LiftSUP was the more interesting option but also the trickiest to get, it was the end of October ’18 before I could book her in for her modifications.
Given the surgery that the McConks was about to have it was time to address the one problem that had developed, the deck where I stand most of the time was starting to show signs of compression. I’m a big lad and that has happened on other boards that I’ve paddled a lot.
Time passes slowly when a board is in the workshop but after 3 weeks I got the call, come and get her…
The result is a very stealthy board!
 |
| McConks Carbon Sport with LiftSUP Handle |
What was done
The original deck pad was removed, along with approximately half a kilo of glue! Then the carbon was cut away from around the handle including the compressions in the deck. The core of the board in that area was then removed and replaced with a much more dense foam into which the LiftSUP handle was mounted using the template supplied. The area was glassed and epoxy’d and a section of black, diamond textured deck grip was fitted to cover the modification. The area from the new deck pad to the rear of the board was covered with a sheet of grip cloth and then epoxy’d. All in a very professional job that I am more than happy with.
The handle is much, much better than the original, the board is balanced well when carrying and the extra control that the handle gives make it somewhat easier to move in windy conditions. It also provides a convent place to attach the leash when moving it too.
The board now looks a lot more serious than it did and the more aggressive grip is somewhat better under winter wetsuit boots or wet shoes. The grip behind the deck pad is more than enough for pivot turns and I think it looks fantastic.
The board now looks a lot more serious than it did and the more aggressive grip is somewhat better under winter wetsuit boots or wet shoes. The grip behind the deck pad is more than enough for pivot turns and I think it looks fantastic.
 |
| Deck pad glue removed |
 |
| Doing it right |
 |
| Ready for finishing |
 |
| At home in Sweden |
