Friday, February 27, 2015

Coming together



http://www.boardseekermag.com/news/fanatics-new-board/#uG8HwMdkIjiUSfTd.97

Here it is, my dream concept is reality. This is the perfect design for maximizing the use and benefits of the MoaB (TM) repositioner! But, for now, mums the word, eh!

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Cully's island

Cully's island

http://youtu.be/qo0wxiaZe1I



A truly amazing place. Finally finished a little video of some of my time there during Project Dark Side November 2014,

You can go there too!



http://www.slickrock.com/



You'll be glad you went, an amazing place with a well run operation and great people!



MoaB (TM) Trainer news: the dry test went great on the first prototype!
Just waiting for some WIND to test it.
Back to work on the next prototype...    Be well!

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Crazy busy!


Greetings,
I'm pretty excited about what I just created in the shop today. Pictured are more new components for the MoaB (TM) Trainer versions I have envisioned and hope to be testing in a week or two. These parts will be mostly hidden.


Created this new footdeck pad/plate last week after the thermoforming idea ran into a wall.


Inspired by Graham Ezzy's picture from the last post, I pulled out my high wind wave board which will become the smallest (68 liters) member of the new MoaB (TM) fleet.

In other news, our newest team member did not work out and we had to let her know today that she will be leaving us. Hard decision and I thank Emma profusely for wielding the axe!

Oh, almost forgot the biggest news, pictured below is "Great White", which we just acquired and will be fixing up in preparation for road tours with the new fleet this spring.

I guess that's about it for now. Take care....

Friday, February 13, 2015

Good vibes!

https://vimeo.com/119540890

Sorry about having to click on the link, Vimeo is not owned by Google.

The video shows a step jibe at high speed on flat water. The risky camera view shows well the scary little dance the feet must make. This is the prime reason I invented the MoaB (TM) repositioner. The video was sent to me by a nice fellow from South Africa as a result of the Boards forum discussion "Step v Strap" which has had over 5000 views (69 replies, and top of the list for 3 days) so far. The video "92 seconds" has had well over a hundred views. The feedback from the very cordial responses has been just what I had hoped for. Truly validates the need. And removes the worry that all the positive responses (like damn near everybody!)  I have received in person were just  because of my winning personality and/or folks just being nice.

Next generation of prototypes update:
 Perhaps I am trying to do too much all at once. A frequent challenge for me is that  I can invent faster than I can build and test. This time is was the "wouldn't it be nice" idea to have personalized custom footdeck pads utilizing thermoformable foam. I had done an experiment (#1) using a small piece and my thumb. Worked great with heat gun. Does not scale though. I can not get the foot-sized piece to the right temperature throughout and keep it there long enough to take an impression. Can not do one  part at a time because any reheating brings the foam back to flat again. I'd show you a picture but there is nothing to see! Moving on with a different idea already proven by Jimmy Lewis.
(However, the foam does glue to ABS well. Will try again later after some thought.)

Experiment #2; Confidential. Still in progress. Hopeful.

Experiment #3; Radiant heat for contact cement work in cold air. Success!

Local weather looks like possible windsurfing may be happening soon. Back to work in hopes of having something ready to test. Take care...

P.S. Oh, and thanks to Derek from the forum, going to call jibes made using a MoaB (TM) the term  Track jibes as a new category of jibes. Or Track Gybes  for overseas use.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Opportunity knocks!

http://boards.co.uk/#EffKczTYZ4B3Ke7y.97

Greetings!
I have been crazy busy after having a new huge breakthrough idea that I hope to test and apply to the next generation of prototypes. Was going to title this "Stop the Presses!" but before I could post I was made aware of a discussion on the UK windsurfing magazine BOARDS (link above) about which is better, the "step" gybe vs. the "strap-to-strap" gybe. Well, the strap-to-strap jibe is exactly what the MoaB repositioner does best, being the actual inspiration for the invention! So I have hastily put together a 92 second video called (sorry) "92 Seconds" so I could post a "sneaky" reply to their forum and get some much needed feedback from windsurfers on the other side of the planet who share my stoke for challenging conditions.
Here is the video:


All for now...