Foiling Multiple Stringers

My approach to shaping a triple (or more) stringered surfboard begins with an accurate and refined planer rough process. The last thing you want is to have to chase after any imperfections when refining the deck or bottom because your sanding blocks/pads will inevitably touch the side stringers. Sand and finish your deck and bottom contours with a light hand so that you don’t end up chasing the stringers. The more weight you apply to sanding or the more time you spend in these areas, the higher your stringer will be in relation to the foam. This can lead to an excess of blockplane/spokeshave work as you attempt to chase the raised stringer. This extra work not only increases time spent shaping but can also lead to railroad tracks around the stringer, especially as your block plane’s blades dull throughout the process (keep those sharp!).

Once the deck and bottom are refined, you can move on to screening the rails. Be very gentle, especially when you near the corners of the side stringers. Then take a freshly sharpened blockplane and begin rounding off the stringer corners. Match this curve to your rail foil. Work the deck and bottom foils towards each other until they meet at the rail apex. Again, this step requires a very light touch and a freshly sharpened blade. It would be very easy to score the foam by stumbleíng over or missing the stringer.

Sometimes the foam around the side-stringer corners is still a little square after this step. I’ve spoken about my dad’s old, super soft screen before. It has just enough grit to take of very fine details. I use this for the final touches around the stringer corners and tips of the blank.

I hope this was helpful. Happy shaping!