Behind the Scenes at Little Bay Boards: Happy Hour Q&A

Hey everyone! We recently hosted a live Q&A session, and despite some initial technical hiccups (because, let’s face it, technology!), it was a blast. We had some great questions from our awesome community, and I wanted to share the highlights in this blog post. So, grab a drink (I had a local brew from Beard’s Brewery, the Green Hundo – highly recommend!), and let’s dive in!

The Blue Translucent Magic: What’s It Made Of?

First up, Lance Baxter asked about the blue translucent material we use, particularly in our River boards. That’s our epoxy resin! We use it to seal the boards, adhere the frames and skins, and embed the fiberglass. The translucency comes from splitting the frame and using a “bridging technique” with glass on both the interior and exterior of the thin wood skins. The epoxy is actually stronger than wood, which is why it works so well. Plus, we can add all sorts of colors and textures, like the copper and sparkly effects you see. I personally love the blue ones, but the copper has a unique, swirled penny look.

Favorite Board Shape: A Journey from Necessity to Art

Chris from North Carolina wanted to know my favorite board shape. It’s a loaded question! Being in Northern Michigan, paddle boarding was a natural fit. Back in 2012, when I started, the market was very different. Boards were expensive, and I wanted to learn to build my own. I started with a surfboard for my daughter, and it just snowballed from there.

People kept asking about my boards, and it turned into a business. I befriended Paul Jensen, the inventor of modern hollow wood surfboards, and he mentored me. We developed a royalty agreement, and I started building paddle boards. My wife named the company Little Bay Boards, after a local river.

Over time, I modified Paul’s designs, experimenting with techniques and materials. I wanted to make them lighter and stronger. Now, after Paul’s retirement, I’m taking over his surfboard designs, including the 59 Fish, originally designed by Steve Lis in 1972. It’s a favorite of mine for its unique shape and versatility.

But ultimately, my favorite is my own all-arounder paddle board design. It took years to perfect, with countless micro-adjustments to the rocker, rail system, and stability. I’m proud of how it performs and how we’ve incorporated art into it.

Custom vs. Stock Boards: A World of Difference

How does creating a custom board differ from our stock boards? Well, stock boards are where we let our creativity run wild. But custom boards are a collaborative process with the client. It might start with a tattoo, a graphic design, or just a general idea.

For example, the Grateful Dead board started as a design from Casey at The Humble Design Co. Nelly then vectorized it, and we programmed it into cut sheets. Our laser then cut all the pieces, and we assembled it like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Speaking of the laser, Vanessa Clark asked about it. It’s a game-changer! We used to cut everything by hand, but now our Trotec laser does the intricate work. It’s incredibly precise and efficient, allowing us to create detailed designs by cutting and reassembling different wood colors.

Shipping Adventures: From Switzerland to Australia

Where have we shipped boards? We’ve sent them all over the US and Canada, but some of the most memorable were to Switzerland and Australia. The Switzerland shipment got stuck in Germany for a while, but it eventually made it. The Australia board was taken by a customer moving there.

We recently shipped a Grateful Dead board to Austin, Texas. It’s amazing how a small company in Northern Michigan can reach so many places thanks to the internet.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Our Commitment

How are Little Bay Boards eco-friendly? We use wood instead of chemical-based foam, and all our wood is sourced from the US. We use fast-growing cedar and aspen, and our epoxies are eco-friendly and VOC compliant.

Our boards are built to last, unlike plastic and foam boards that deteriorate over time. We’re committed to minimizing our carbon footprint and creating products that don’t end up in landfills.

Board Weight: Light and Strong

Emerson Delany asked about the weight of our boards. We aim for 25 to 32 pounds, which is much lighter than the 45 to 52 pounds of older wood paddle boards. We use a hollow frame system designed by Paul Jensen, which is both strong and lightweight.

The weight can vary depending on the wood density and the amount of epoxy used. We’ve had some boards as light as 24 pounds, thanks to careful wood selection.

Fin Fixes and More

We also talked about fin repairs, which are a common issue. We’re happy to fix them, whether it’s a simple fix or a more extensive repair. We’ve even helped customers find local repair shops when they’re far away.

Beyond Boards: What Else We Make

We create a wide variety of items with our laser, and by hand. If you have an idea, reach out to us!

Thank You!

That wraps up our Q&A session. Thank you to everyone who participated! We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you on the water.