Support your local shaper - East Coast Edition

[burchas]

Very interesting JimK. They way I surf, I'll definitely need magic to help me out

But in all seriousness, at some point in the near future, I will need a Magic surfboard
and it would help to hear what were the tweaks you made in every prototype along the
way before arriving to the Epic shape? Could probably save me 2-3 prototypes.

[JimK]

I wish getting a MAGICAL board was that accurate of a process. (Maybe in Big Race boards it is but I have no experience prototyping that type of board There are plenty of proven fast boards around IMHO)

If I could help maybe these points would be a starting point
 
1) Find an EXTREMELY reliable shaper who understands your style (Shapers of the stars might not be a good choice)
2) Get a clear idea of what your skills REALLY ARE
3) Make a list of desired performance improvements you want this board to do
4) DO NOT go in with exact dimensions "He's the shaper let him spin his magic
5) Do NOT pester the shaper ... If you need clarification contact me  directly...but I think you know
6)Be prepared to get the improved version(unless its magical) versionin production asap (Going back to a shaper 2 yrs later (or something) and asking him to create the next version of your board (or recreate a MAGICAL BOard) is asking a lot.
7) COMMUNICATE Intial feels, feelings after you ride it a bit and once you get it dialed in

I don't intend these to be the ABSOLUTE answer to how to work with a custom shaper Its a personal relationship but I suggest you come prepared

Good Luck

jimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[Luc Benac]

Missing from the list.
Always show-up with plenty of beers when you check progress
Always take your shaper for a beer at the pub when you cross path
All of the above ONLY when he/she has finished working on your board for the day.....

[burchas]

Thanks JimK, that's def a good list and I'm taking notes.
That said, I was hoping to get the inside scoop of the process
you went through when you got those 2 magical shapes.

That would be a real world experience understanding what did
you change with each prototype and why. It's probably asking a lot
and it might be sometime ago that details are somewhat foggy but
I thought it worth asking. Thanks much.

[burchas]

Missing from the list.
Always show-up with plenty of beers when you check progress
Always take your shaper for a beer at the pub when you cross path
All of the above ONLY when he/she has finished working on your board for the day.....

Nice one Luc That's how you guys deal with the cold up north?

[Luc Benac]

Missing from the list.
Always show-up with plenty of beers when you check progress
Always take your shaper for a beer at the pub when you cross path
All of the above ONLY when he/she has finished working on your board for the day.....

Nice one Luc That's how you guys deal with the cold up north?

Needs the calories for the cold.

[JimK]

The details are foggy but here is what I remember

Big MFG get's an idea for a KIND of board (eg we need a big guy board that is not a barge)
They set size perameters (say 9Ft to 10Ft)
Have shaper draw up some ideas CAD test them (ensuring laminar flow ect...)
Assemble a group of tester (I'm guessing more than me and from different part of the world)

Make prototypes
send to tester for feedback
Move better prototypes between testers
Revise and repeat until you have a board that elicits RAVE reviews

Then make a preproduction model (s) (in Thailand)
Introduce it at the international importers meeting and see if it sells

Not all MAGICAL boards get made due to
* Production limitation
* Importer input
* Marketing (They don't fit the line)

...and I'm sure there are LOTZ of other things beyond my scope, I was just a "COG" in this design development. Details of each board developed took a path all its own with (as far as I can remember) had no similarities to each other.Due to different relationships with shapers/designers

Doing it on your own with a local shaper I would follow my previous post

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[burchas]

That is one involved process! Though fun as hell ( especially the testing )

How much time do you spend testing a prototype, can you tell right away or do
you need few sessions in different conditions/breaks?

Do you have a go to fin setup or do you try several setups before making up your mind?

There is a good job to have - Board tester. It's one of those jobs you CAN'T be
over-qualified for.

As a novice surfer I'm testing all sorts of boards and boundaries, but it is very helpful
to get into the process of an experienced surfer. Thx JimK.

[kneil]

Here in Maryland we have two great shapers/makers, Evolve boards by Sandy Deeley and Ron Gossard (Ron one of the fastest East Coast guys by the way), and Solace boards by Richard Price.  They both make some great race and surf shapes.   http://www.evolveboards.com/  https://solacesupboards.com/

[rbgar]

http://www.hoviesup.com

Cali shaper built in FL