Wa k e b o a r d s Megan Ashley Shagott Prepared for Professor Peter Fossick IDUS 431 Winter 2009
Mar 08, 2016
Wa k
e bo a
r ds
Megan Ashley Shagott Prepared for Professor Peter Fossick IDUS 431 Winter 2009
Wa k
e
Wa k
e
Megan Ashley ShagottMegan Ashley Shagott
b oa r
d s
Megan Ashley ShagottMegan Ashley Shagott Prepared for Professor Peter Fossick IDUS 431 Winter 2009
Wa k
e
Megan Ashley Shagott
What is Wakeboarding?ScopeResearchFocus Final Solution
Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water behind a boat.
WHAT?!?
ScopeThrough a research and human factors intensive design process, develop a high performance wakeboard.
The wakeboard should fill a gap in the current market and provide product opportunities through mass customization and material choices.
The wakeboard must be durable and attractive and must be able to perform up to the standards of professional competitive wakeboarders.
ResearchCompetitive Brands
Whats HOT right now?
Rocker Lines
Adjustable Fins
New Materials
Flex
Innovative Edges
Width
Research
After looking at each brand and discovering strengths and weaknesses, I found design opportunities in weight versus rocker line as well as board shaping and branding
ResearchDesign Oppurtunities
Materials and Manufacturing
Currently most boards are produced from a foam blank which is CNCed to the correct shape and then fitted with wooden runners.
Graphics are then applied to the board and it is glassed and pressed in a mold to obtain correct shape and thickness.
Finally holes are drilled for fins and bungs.
Research
$15.7 billion spent annually in the recreational boating industry
Research
Wakeboarding has grown steadily since about 1990.
Wakeboarding like most extreme sports in considered as not just an activity but a lifestyle. As riders and equipment improve the sport will continue to expand.
Market Opportunity
While such sports as fishing and skiing have declined 9.4% and
2% respectively in the past ten years, motorboating sports have grown 4.7%.
Research
The sport is 87% male but female participation is rapidly increasing
Users
Social BoarderParticipates once or twice a yearRents equipment or buys cheap board (under $150-250)Wakeboards for the fun on the sport
Weekend WallyGoes wakeboarding 3-7 times a yearOwns mid level board ($250-450)Mostly just participates for fun but occasionally participates in a competition
Professional/Competitive BoarderWakeboards multiple times a monthOwns at least one high level board ($450+)Spends a lot of time participating in competitions
Research
User Bios
HarleyAge 15High School Grade 10Wakeboards for fun but hopes to compete in the futureEnticed into the sport after seeing it on television and the internetInterested in going fast, adrenaline rushes, surf shops, surf/wake clothing, girls, fast cars, video games, loud music
AmberAge 22College SeniorCompetes on her collegiate teamDad was a professional waterskier so she grew up on the water but turned to wakeboarding in her early teens and never looked backInterested in marine biology, competing at the X-games, outdoor sports, beating the boys
ShawnAge 33World Ranked ProfessionalOne of the originals in the sport. An older professional who is looking to be able to keep an edge on the younger athletesInterested in improving the sport of wakeboarding, custom hot rods, the surf lifestyle
Research
Target Market
Based on research and surveys, my target market is users between the ages of 15 and 30. These users are advanced to professional riders. They know what features they want in their boards and what features work the best for them.
Research
3D Exploration
To better understand the form, function and manufacture of wakeboards, I went straight into 3D development. After researching board size requirements and measuring my test riders, I built a functioning 141 size board out of pink insulation foam, ash wood, fiberglass and epoxy.
Research
3D Exploration
Research
Prototype One Glamour Shots
Research
User Testing
After the board was completed, it was put to the test. Three riders of different skill levels, a professional, a mid level rider and a beginner, all tested out the board.
Research
User Testing
Research
Findings
V-HullHigher rideSmoother rideFaster ride
Light-weight + rolled edges
extra agilityextra speedextra pop
Design Opportunities
Post ride interviews revealed that the design features I had chosen were a successful combination.
Certain features like the fins could be tweaked to provide the perfect ride.
There are opportunities in weight reduction, construction, materials as well as board features.
Design Constraints
Lightweight for speed and agilityHybrid rocker for popDurableFlex for shock absorption and popCustomizable
The sickest ride Ive ever had. -Jono
The board rides really smooth and high on the water. The fins tracked well, almost too well.
-Randy
Focus
2D Graphic Ideation
Focus
Product Features
Dual axis V-hull - provides a smoother, higher ride as well as shock absorbencyHybrid rocker line - superior pop
Rolled edges - higher ride on the water, superior speed
Aggressivefins-providegoodtrackingand control
Ultra light weight - superior pop and aerial agility
Superiorflex
Provides users with the best experience possible through superior performance, features not offered by other brands and customization.
High performance material choices EVA and ADAM product lines featuring ANGELkoreSuperior manufacturing (combination of machine and hand processes) Highperformancefeatures(dualaxisV-hull,rockerlines,rollededges,aggressivefins,ultralightweight,superiorflex)Graphic customization
Final Solution
Product Features
ANGELkore
High performance foam and wood (Ash, Hickory, Oak) Wood choices depend on availability as well as harvest conditions, the best wood choice is applied to every board
EVA and ADAM Product Lines
Range of pricesEVA-ANGELkorewrappedinfiberglass(lowerprice range)ADAM - ANGELkore wrapped in Carbon Fiber or Carbon Kevlar or Dacron (higher price
range)
Final Solution
Manufacturing Process
ANGELkore
Wood cut and veneered to shapeFoam blanks CNCed to desired shapeFoam and wood veneered together
Composite Shell
Graphics appliedComposite choice layed up on coreBoard vacuum bagged to bring out styling as well as remove extra resin (improves weight, smoothnessofhullandflex)
Through a combination of manufacturing, technology and service, the user is provided with the best ride
and user experience possible.
As wakeboarding is not just a sport, but a lifestyle, the ability to fully customize a board beyond simple
stickers is an important selling point in the market.
Varying price points as well as proprietary technology will allow the company to corner many different
sectors of the market.
Final Solution
Color Palate
Final Solution
Specs
25.51
17.5
1
1.37
2.13
8.37
8.14
54.50
7.69
2.17
Final Solution
Internal and External Construction
Option A: Fiberglass and epoxy exterior
Option A: Carbon Kevlar and epoxy exterior
Wood
Foam blank CNCed to Shape
Internal Construction
Externall Construction
Final Solution
Rhino Models
Final Solution
Rhino Models
Final Solution
Rhino Models
Final Solution
Final Solution
Physical Model
Hybrid Rocker
Rolled Edge
Reduced Weight
Improved Flex
Dual Axis V-Hull
Final Solution
Dual Axis V-Hull
Physical Model
Final Solution
Hybrid Rocker Line
Physical Model
Final Solution
Physical Model
Final Solution
Physical Model
Final Solution
Final Solution
Physical Model
Final Solution
Physical Model
Final Solution
Physical Model
Final Solution
Physical Model