Surfboards advice

[jslayde1]

... and confirming that going to a more "custom" stick is the way to go.

Personally I think if you are wanting to grow your skills, a custom board is the only way to go - my (probably not worth the two cents)....

I ride a Soulcraft and a Chaos - love them both!

[wakemitch]

People are throwing around the word custom for boards that are technically production boards. The honu is a set shape by Soulcraft, the drone is a set shape by Doomswell, and the factor is a set shape from Victoria, ect..

The common denominator is boards made by wakesurf focused companies. Companies that sponsor riders, build in the US, are rider owned/operated.

These companies spend so much time R&Ding boards are materials. It is really important to them to make great boards that push the level of riding for people of all skill levels. They aren't satisfied with people just standing on a board with slack in the rope, they want riders to feel so comfortable on their boards that they can get in the air and try some shuvs.
These companies have figured out what works well for many different style riders and now offer a range of shapes and sizes. You can now buy Victorias, soulcrafts, chaos, doomswell, ect in stores so you don't waste your summer waiting for a board. Because you can buy them in a store doesn't mean that they now ride like a Ronix or hyperlite. It just means that the companies have matured and shops know people want the good stuff. The shapes get tweaked each year usually but you no longer have to go truly one off custom for a good board.

[Chaos]

Yeppers, Mitch is correct in some sense. Most boards people think are customs are really just a factory board that has had many hands on it from the shaper to the glasser to the sander and possibly an painter/sprayer.
A few of us do 'custom' boards where only one hand touches the board. This is becoming a rarity. Custom is often just a marketing term. This is largely due to wakeboard companies and snowboard companies that put out "custom" lines that are not custom at all. A custom shape or a shape specifically tailored to you makes much less difference in skim boards. Skim boards simply do not have as many design elements with respect to shape and fin placement that can be tweaked or should be tweaked. However, tweaks in volume and fins placement can make or break a surfboard.

Nevertheless, there are many types of customization that can be added to a model board from art to material builds. I usually refer to custom when a significant departure from the original build materials are done and or the board is tailor shaped to the rider.

Nick

[Thegerman618]

Mitch/Chaos thank you for the board lesson. I guess I bought into the marketing of "custom" boards. I guess the hardest part for me at least is how do I truly compare these boards? My instinct tells me to go with boards like the drone or honu because that is what people tell me I should ride. (And I like the way they look) The more I research and learn about these style of boards the more I realize what I thought I knew is wrong. I want a board that when I ride it, I say "yep this is it" I understand that my riding style will have to adapt with the board which in my opinion is part of the progression of moving to the next level. Which the more I learn about these boards, I am finding that boards I would have never considered because of size, shape, ect. Are potentially something that could work for me. I would have never thought someone my size could ride 4' 7" and actually be able to ride wireless much less air out off a lip. I am reaching out to Jeff at SoulCraft and Brock at Doomswell to find any possible way to get my hands on one of these to demo. I also may have an opportunity next month to demo Rusty Surfboards attempt at a Wakesurfer which I am looking forward to. I really appreciate all the feedback and hope to have a new board or at least a new to me board for the next few years. I will let everyone know who I decide to go with.

[D&P Powell]

We are hoping to have at least a few different brands to demo during the upcoming Lake Mead Tige Owners event. If any wakesurf board manufacturers (i.e. Chaos and others) are interested, please feel free to contact me either with a PM here, or at Nine 5 one- seven seven 5- 3 eight one 6. Yes, that was a shameless plug!

[UNSTUCK]

I stumbled across the demo boards used at the surf fest here in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago. I scored a 4'8" doomswell neo. Took it out on Friday and instantly fell in love with it. The difference between it and the "normal" boards I have ridden is night and day.
Not to mention how fragil they are. I just looked at it and the glass cracked. Really no idea how it happened. I was tip toeing around with it the whole time out. So now I need to figure out how to repair it and protect it.

[Chaos]

Unstuck,

Get yourself a board bag and I can set you up with an easy to use ding repair kit and walk you through any repairs.

Nick

[UNSTUCK]

Chaos, that bag looks great. Would the bag keep the board safe if I stored it in a board rack while on the water? I really need to be able to store the board on the tower to free up room so people don't trip over it. If it wont, what can be done to keep it safe on the tower?
Tell me (us) more about these repair kits? Is there a write up on them?

[Thegerman618]

I use a basic surf sock for the boards in the rack, and I dunk the sock in the water to keep it wet to keep the boards cool in the blistering Havasu sun. Although my friends with SoulCrafts and other more sensitive boards don't use the racks, which I understand. With the heat, the bouncing and the bungee straps they can crack the boards so easy. They usually keep the boards in the bag in the bow but I agree if I could find a way to keep ALL the boards in the rack I would down for that. Way less cumbersome and I am always afraid of tripping and falling on one.

[Stingreye]

I use a basic surf sock for the boards in the rack, and I dunk the sock in the water to keep it wet to keep the boards cool in the blistering Havasu sun. Although my friends with SoulCrafts and other more sensitive boards don't use the racks, which I understand. With the heat, the bouncing and the bungee straps they can crack the boards so easy. They usually keep the boards in the bag in the bow but I agree if I could find a way to keep ALL the boards in the rack I would down for that. Way less cumbersome and I am always afraid of tripping and falling on one.

Corson overhead board racks.... up and out of the way. you could dunk the bags and your bimini would keep the water off you. They are perfect for custom boards.
boat pic.jpg

[Thegerman618]

Cottonwood Cove???^^^^^

[Stingreye]

Lake Mead in April.

[Chaos]

Depends on the racks. If a rack is wide enough for a surfboard and bag then they will protect the rails and mid section as well as keep it cool. One of the biggest problem with standard side racks is the tongs are long enough so the forces are not spread out across the board well. People like the board bags for the bimini pockets. A typical surfboard will be destroyed in a bimini pocket. Board socks alone do not help if heat is the problem much, they protect from fading and discolor, and keep wax from getting everywhere. Some people like the wet board sock trick, this woks well for temperature, but you end up with a wet molding sock if you do not dry it out when not in use.

Nevertheless, whether in a rack, bimini pocket or stored in the cabin a board bag is the best way to protect your investment.

You can read about the ding repair kits at:http://chaossurfco.com/ding-repair/c...ing-repair-kit

Nick

[Thegerman618]

Okay so I have been doing some searching and found Creatures Fins. IF I am understanding this correctly, it may be possible to slap some high performance fins on my current thruster and make some serious power and control out of it? Now I just need to know what fins I should get. Never messed with fins before other than what came with the board. Currently ride with (2) 2.3's on the farthest edge fin boxes.

[Chaos]

Take a look at these. They are on sale as well. I find this to be a good template for wakesurfing. It is similar to my wakesurfing fins. I would reccomend my fins, but I do not make a two tab or FCS style right now. I will likely introduce an FCSII style in the future.
http://shapers.surf/carbon-flare-ap02/

Nick