Abstract: The present invention relates to surf boards and bodyboards and the like used for water sports and wherein the board includes a core foam which is a closed pore or closed cell foam to which is directly bonded an upper and lower skin. To achieve a substantially high integrity bond, an intermediate layer is used composed of a mixture of the polymeric material of the foam and the different polymeric material of the skins. The foam may be polypropylene expanded bead foam while the skins may be of high density polyethylene. Procedures are also disclosed for forming such products as well as procedures for providing rocker, an important characteristic of such boards.

Abstract: A temperature control cost monitor and method uses temperature responsive means with a visible display calibrated in terms of percentage savings or increased costs above and below a standard temperature. The display can be a temperature sensitive liquid crystal array and overlay with transparent percentage indicia, a liquid height thermometer with associated percentages indicated on or adjacent the thermometer, or another temperature indicator calibrated in this way. The calibrations are based on the climate in which the monitor is used. The monitor can indicate savings and excess cost of both heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.