Great boards and service is the reason I will keep coming back…
Todd,
I sure you don’t remember me but a few years back you made some boards for my friends and I over in Okinawa Japan. The 3 boards you made for me went off! I have ben land locked for the past 3 years and just learned we are headed out of here to Northern Japan. With all that said, I need to see about getting a few boards shaped and sent to me while I am in the states and shipping them with my other stuff to Japan. I need at least 3 boards and am trying to convince the wife on a fourth. I am 30 years old, 5′5″ and 120 pounds and a decent surfer. I spoke to a few friends that have surfed up there and most of it is beachbreark or points with rock bottoms. The waves are supposed to be decent and even having some size quite often. Here are the boards I am thinking of and off curse I am look for you suggestions.
Glassing – is the new epoxy worth it? Last time I asked about epoxy you said stay with normal glass.
Short board
5′11 X 18 1/4 X 2 1/2 – squash tail, single to double
Groveler
5′8″ X 18 1/2 X 2 3/4 – squash or swallow, ?
I had an 80″s board in Okinawa and it was about 5′6″x19X3, with little rocker. That board was the funest board in small surf, road like a short board not a fish and could handle up to head surf. I am looking for an updated version of that.
Larger wave board / Mini gun
6′4″ X 18 1/4 X 2 3/8 – Rounded pin tail, single to double
Maybe a fun board
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Hi Chris,
I remember you…it’s been awhile. Glad you’re moving back to some
waves…that should brighten the spirits!
About the boards: All sounds good as far as dimensions go…just the
thicknesses seem a bit thick. I’m thinking around 2 1/4″ for the
thicknesses on the little boards and around 2 5/16″ for the 6′4″ round
pin. How often do you plan on surfing when you get to Japan…once in
awhile or quite a bit.
If it is going to just be a couple times a month or something like
that, then I suggest going thicker, but not if you are surfing any more
than that because you will want to keep the performance in the boards.
Too much thickness can detract from a boards’ maneuverability.
I have an insane new short board design that I know you would freek on
for the 5′11″, and I also have an “80’s” style shape that has just been
added to the board line…it is a very fun free, fast board that
requires little work to be speeding; the deck on the “80’s” model is
very flat/ slightly concave and the rails are kept very full to
redistribute plenty of volume to make it floaty and easy to paddle. The
6′4″ rounded pin for the next level up when the waves start pushing
works great with a single to double concave with a slight vee off the
back fin to rail in through turns.
The new “Flexible Epoxy” I’ve been doing lately is unreal…Super light,
super strong, with a flex characteristic that springs the board lively
through turns. they are more >expensive, but it is incredible technology.
If you were going to get only one board out of the flexible epoxy I
would go with either the little board or the 5′11″ since these materials
work really best for performance boards in the ankle to slightly overhead zone.
Let me know your time frame and we’ll get you dialed in. Let me know
any other questions you may have as well. Looking forward to your reply.
Aloha,
Todd
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Todd,
Wow, I did not expect to here back from you so soon. I am going to be surfing as much as possible, I have ben informed that you can only surf up till november maybe December and can not get back into the water until after March. The reason I am going for a little thicker board is for more paddling power esspicaily since I will be in a thick suit most of the time. I also wanted it for the less powerful beachbreacks. All my boards before have ben only 2 -2 1/4 and the fish you made me went off but was still allot of work in smaller waves. Any suggestions?
On the glassing how would I go about fixing dings on the Epoxy? Also I read about your uv cure and new cloths, how much better are they than normal glassing. I am trying not to spend over 1300.00 for all 3 boards if possible, but I also need them to last. I know you get what you pay for but what are my best options? Still need to buy at least 3 suits also. Any suggestions for really cold water?
Chris
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Hi Chris,
Since 2 1/4″ was feeling a bit thin for you, then I think your original
idea is good to go with 2 1/2″ thicknesses. You can get an epoxy ding
repair kit from us with your board to fix any scrapes and dings, but
you cannot use regular resin with the epoxy. It is the same procedure
to fix dings, the only thing different is you have to use epoxy resin
(which comes with the kit).
Since your budget doesn’t quite add up for an epoxy and two other
boards; I would go with one epoxy and one regular board, or two regular
boards with UV resin and S-glass – these two things add a significant
amount of strength to your board without adding weight….strongly
recommended.
The other option is to get three standard boards….if you want to go
that route, I can hook you up for the difference since you’ll be
getting three boards. I am also a distributor for Billabong wetsuits
and there is a great 5/4/3 with hood that is super warm; or my favorite
is a 4/3 solution.
Their suits are the best, super warm and super comfortable and they
hold up really well. How cold of water do you need the suits for?
Let me know any questions you may have.
Talk to you later.
Aloha,
Todd
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Todd,
I think I might be able to squeak out enough money for 3 boards with UV resin, S-glass and FCS.Would I use sun cure to fix dings?
Can you give me a essimate for the 3 boards and what about shipping to New Mexico?
Yea the thickness felt fine in my short board and mini gun @ 2 1/4 but not in my fish @ 2 1/4. I just want to add a little paddling power with out hurting performance to much. I know there are many ways you can do this so let me know what you think would be best. I am not a great paddler and will be wearing suits all year.
The water temp up there is quite cold, it gets down to 32 w/ a high of around 62. I will be needing 3 suits @ around 6/4 or 5/4, 4/3 and 3/2 hoods, botties and gloves. I have a spring suit for those few warm days. I want to try and get the warmest and best suits with water temps that low. So let me know.
Thanks for the work you are doing with me on this. Great boards and service is the reason I will keep coming back.
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