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.
http://www.banhpho.com/pages/boards
Good stuff from these boys in New England
What stc said. For what I've paid for two okay production boards could have got a kickass custom. Penny wise pound foolish.
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!
Quote from: supthecreek on March 04, 2017, 09:03:28 AM
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.
Quote from: PDLSFR on March 04, 2017, 02:48:14 PM
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 :)
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
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/
Quote from: JimK on March 06, 2017, 09:59:31 AM
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.
Quote from: JimK on March 06, 2017, 09:59:31 AM
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.
Quote from: burchas on March 06, 2017, 02:23:24 PM
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 :-)
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.
Quote from: Glowmaster on March 06, 2017, 02:52:24 PM
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.
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.
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
Thanks for the insight Jim!
Very interesting JimK. They way I surf, I'll definitely need magic to help me out :D
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.
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
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.....
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.
Quote from: Luc Benac on March 09, 2017, 07:30:11 AM
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?
Quote from: burchas on March 09, 2017, 07:36:22 AM
Quote from: Luc Benac on March 09, 2017, 07:30:11 AM
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.
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
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.
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/
http://www.hoviesup.com
Cali shaper built in FL