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frequently asked questions and answers we have collated over the past year and
we've grouped them here to assist you.
When you order a waveski, consider these questions and answers - it will make it easier for us to deal expeditiously with you inquiry. Waveski? Production or Custom-shaped? When Buying a Waveski: Carrying Capacity, Buoyancy and Leg Length : How heavy are production and custom waveskis? Custom waveski construction and glass laminating Concave Rails and Speed Channel design features The first questions we ask when a customer orders a Waveski…. Customised Graphics on your waveski How long does manufacturing take? Aluminium or Fibreshaft Paddle ? 'Waveski Cover' or 'Deluxe Travel Cover'? Waveski Features and Accessories - what do you get? The difference between a Waveski and a Core Board
Do you prefer a standard production moulded "off-the-rack" model
or are you interested in a hand-shaped custom epoxy. (Core Boards are
available only as hand-shaped epoxies). As the name infers, custom hand-shaped
epoxy boards are labour intensive and thus far more costly.
When Buying a Waveski Firstly, the rule of thumb is to buy a ski which has a carrying capacity (at least) 10kg more than your own body weight. Leg Length Your legs should be slightly bent when seated on the waveski. Stand straight-legged and bare-foot against a wall (heels flush with the wall) and get the measurement from your coccyx to the floor - this is the leg length we require for the seating plan. Buoyancy Its always better to have a bit too much buoyancy in the tail of the ski
than just enough or too little. The extra buoyancy assists when paddling out
through heavy white water in a beach break. It's not always possible to surf
at a reef break where it is easy to paddle out through a channel or paddle
around. Our production skis weigh 10-12kg whereas the custom skis average 5-7kg.
The very biggest waveski we've ever made was just over 8 foot. Having the centre of gravity as low as possible does make the board very
stable (the Macski Cruizer is like this) however, as far as wave-riding is
concerned the ski is not as responsive.
Custom waveski construction and glassing Polystyrene/epoxy construction. We currently glass the custom skis with two layers of 6 ounce cloth. Areas taking extra load like seat, seatbelt plates, footwells, etc, get an extra 4 layers. If the ski is for a heavy guy, the nose and tail get extra layers too. How many additional laminations are required to give the ski durability without making the additional weight a disadvantage? A third layer of 6 ounce cloth. Areas taking extra load like seat, seatbelt
plates, footwells and for a heavy guy, the nose and tail get extra layers too.
The customer gets what he asks for and we certainly don't force our will on
him - if you're not sure what you want we will advise. Just because you want a
waveski to be stable and "float" you easily, doesn't mean it has to
be a "dog"! We can make you a custom ski, stable yet nippy and
manoeuvrable - and it can look good too!
Concave Rails and Speed Channel Concave rails were introduced for heavier guys (95kg+), to sharpen up the rails for them . 95kg capacities have to be made more vertical on the rails to make up the buoyancy required to support the rider's weight whereas for a lighter person, the rails can be made sharp because they do not need as much buoyancy. Heavier guys need the buoyancy and previously the rails were made accordingly which lost them the sharpness in the turning ability ("bite"). Concave rails allow the rails to be sharp enough to restore the "bite". A speed channel has also been introduced to increase the "V" without decreasing speed. Water runs from the nose to tail. The flow of water changes and flows from the footwells outwards towards the belt area. The flow of water reaches two points with high edges on the concave, and channels the water flow from the nose to tail for down-the-line speed. Personally, I like the quick turning response on the rail-to-rail
transitions as a result of the concave rails and on big, fast waves the speed
channel somehow seems to smooth out any bouncing. These features work equally
well in beach, point and reef breaks.
Questions we ask you when you want a Waveski
The entire ski sprayed in one colour of your choice is also "No Extra
Charge". To manufacture a custom epoxy board from date of order/receipt of deposit
to date of dispatch is six weeks. Production skis are usually available
from stock or if required can be manufactured within 10 days to 2 weeks.
Aluminium or Fibreshaft Paddle ? *For an extra charge we can reinforce the paddles, making them remarkably
stronger, but adds to the weight. At the end of the day, personal preference
prevails. 'Waveski Cover' or 'Deluxe Travel Cover'? A 'waveski cover' is basically a protective board bag with a carry handle and a shoulder strap and closed by a heavy-duty non-corrosive plastic zipper.. The 'deluxe travel cover' has the same features BUT has an extra 10mm
padding, a built-in pouch inside for extras (like spare fins, screwdriver,
etc) which is closed by means of a velcro strip and features two velcro straps
on the outside of the bag to attach a paddle. (Obviously the greatest
advantage is the thicker padding).
Waveski Features and Accessories
A good item for any kind of recreational activity - fishing, diving (the
nose area is designed to accommodate a SCUBA tank), picnics (the area behind
the seat accommodates a coolbox) , surfing smallish waves etc. Tie-down points
are moulded into the deck.
The difference between a Waveski and a Core Board First off, obviously on a waveski you're seated in a recessed area, with
your feet out front being held in by footstraps and the rest of you being held
down by a seatbelt across the lap. The Core Board is a recent innovation -
John Macleod (owner of Macski) was wanting a new challenge from waveskiing
(also he had sustained a back injury) and came up with the Core Board. Yes,
you're also in a sitting position but whereas on a waveski you're in a
recessed area with legs out front, on the Core Board the seat is raised higher
than the flat section of the deck and your legs are out to your side. On a
waveski you're strapped in over the lap; on a core board (if you use a strap)
it's across the calves. This seating principle on the core board is almost
like the orthopaedic typist chair. Your legs and knees don't take strain or
get tired because your full weight is being supported by the raised seat and
your back doesn't take strain purely because you posture is better than on a
waveski. A waveski is propelled by a paddle exclusively whilst a Core Board can be used with or without a paddle; in the latter case being propelled with just the hands like the lifeguards propel themselves on their paddle boards. A waveski is more versatile (used for waveriding or on flat water). A Core Board can be faster because body weight can be transferred further forward. Posture is far better on a Core Board. Eskimo rolling is easier on a waveski. Ultimately it's your choice which
craft you prefer or you may choose to do both - they complement each other.
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Our
production moulded and custom-epoxy waveskis come with the footstraps
included, all other accessories are extras viz. paddle, seatbelt, fins,
buttpad, paddle leash, etc, are optional extras.
