Support your local shaper - East Coast Edition

[burchas]

My preference is usually going custom when possible, especially with the price tags
leading brands are charging for their production boards it made sense to me going
that route.

Reviewing the usual suspects for custom ocean/race boards in the forum, it usually
revolves around the west coast and Hawaii. I'm sure there is a reason for that
but that begs the questions:

- Are there good shapers/builders in regards to ocean/race boards on the east coast?

- Can anyone list the top 5 or so?

Since most of my paddling is on the east coast it make sense to me to try a well reputed
east coast shaper for my next ocean board.

[supthecreek]

http://www.banhpho.com/pages/boards

Good stuff from these boys in New England

[johnysmoke]

What stc said. For what I've paid for two okay production boards could have got a kickass custom. Penny wise pound foolish.

[PDLSFR]

Patrick would be the guy on the east coast hands down, but if you want a board get in line and it's not a short quick turnaround so give him a ring sooner than later!

[burchas]

http://www.banhpho.com/pages/boards

Good stuff from these boys in New England

Thx creek, that's just might be the thing I was looking for.

but if you want a board get in line and it's not a short quick turnaround so give him a ring sooner than later!

That's usually the case, a good board worth the wait. It's not like I'm riding logs these days

[JimK]

Just a note about custom board

#1 The ONLY way to get YOUR MAGICAL board is to get a custom.

#2 "Be ready to kiss a few frogs along the way" Custom boards are all about communication and that takes time (practice)

Working with a custom shaper takes time and expecting "magic" the first time is asking alot

Just my 2 cents of 50yrs of surfing, SUPing ect.. experiences

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[Weeble]

Indigo has been around for a while now in South Florida.  Everything is done in house.  Also, Delfos' artwork and deck pad designs are like nothing I've seen.  Not sure how custom Delfos can go as far as shaping goes, but give them a look.

http://www.indigo-sup.com/

[Bean]

Just a note about custom board

#1 The ONLY way to get YOUR MAGICAL board is to get a custom.

#2 "Be ready to kiss a few frogs along the way" Custom boards are all about communication and that takes time (practice)

Working with a custom shaper takes time and expecting "magic" the first time is asking alot

Just my 2 cents of 50yrs of surfing, SUPing ect.. experiences

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

Jim, about how many boards should a person expect to go through before he and the shaper get's it dialed in?  I've heard the pro's talk about this, and even with that level of communication, it seems to take a few rounds.

[burchas]

Just a note about custom board

#1 The ONLY way to get YOUR MAGICAL board is to get a custom.

#2 "Be ready to kiss a few frogs along the way" Custom boards are all about communication and that takes time (practice)

Working with a custom shaper takes time and expecting "magic" the first time is asking alot

Just my 2 cents of 50yrs of surfing, SUPing ect.. experiences

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

Thx JimK. After 2 custom boards (different shapers), I know exactly what you're talking
about. That said, both boards served me better than any production option on the market I was able to test so in a way I lucked out.

This time around I'm going with a local so I could have some hands-on with previous
concepts by the shaper.

This is going to be a 16 footer All-Wind ocean board with steering, so I'm going to have
to rely on the shaper more than the usual, but already have some ideas.

[Luc Benac]

This is going to be a 16 footer All-Wind ocean board

After getting a taste of a longer board with the Ace-GT, that sounds nice....especially if followed by a 16/17 flat water board unlimited :-)

[Glowmaster]

Patrick at Banh Pho treated me like a VIP.  The experience of customizing for me, watching the process evolve and complete was awesome. The finished board was a work of art, and still is 2 Years out.

Help him out and buy a board from him!

The one he built for me is perfect, so I dont need another.

ed.

[burchas]

Patrick at Banh Pho treated me like a VIP.  The experience of customizing for me, watching the process evolve and complete was awesome. The finished board was a work of art, and still is 2 Years out.

Help him out and buy a board from him!

The one he built for me is perfect, so I dont need another.

ed.

Glowmaster, that sure is one beautiful board. Def set my eye on Banh Pho, especially after learning how much of an avid paddler the guy is.

The way I see it, he is the one who's going to help me out and not the other way around.

[stoneaxe]

Patrick's the real deal. I'm pretty sure he was the 1st guy in New England to do standup. Done the Molokai a few times...CCBC, pretty much every race around and often on the podium. Great craftsman...building some nice ukeleles lately too. I've decided to put off having him build me a board for the moment. I want to ride my Vec in this years CCBC for sentimental reasons. It is also requiring me to kick my sorry ass back into shape. My next board for sure is a Bahn Pho but it's going to wait until next year.

[JimK]

Bean,

I can't speak to prototyping race (BIG) boards but in surfboards It takes about 6 to get the plan down and usually another couple to dial it in. Then depending on construction it may take a couple more for MAGICAL

I have worked with 2 production companies on prototypes for models that came ou. I got 2 or 3 prototypes before the model was finalized, but they also were getting feed back from other testers too. Plus they CAD'd them before they actually made a prototype. Both these designs were EPIC shapes and sold well all over the world. I'm working on a third design with a production company now, but its not even close to acceptable and we are on the 4th edition, and really it may NEVER work

jimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[Bean]

Thanks for the insight Jim!