Topics

31

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Tom Carroll Outer Reef 10'6

« on: April 20, 2019, 02:54:30 PM »

I've been looking for a bigger more stable board with a bit more glide that I can use on choppy big days and for getting to distant breaks and I think I may have found it with the Tom Carroll Outer Reef 10'6. I just ordered one for $1095 free shipping. I couldn't pass up the price. All sizes are in stock if anyone is interested.

https://shop.surfindustries.com/us/surf/stand-up-paddle-boards/all-rounder/tom-carroll-outer-reef-mx/

32

SUP General / Surf Etiquette reminder

« on: October 12, 2018, 05:47:13 PM »

Just a reminder to all those who surf.

It is the responsibility of every surfer to get out of the way of the person riding the wave.

I see way too many people who seem to expect the person riding the wave to go around them. If the guy on the wave has to make evasive maneuvers to avoid hitting you, then you have just ruined the wave for him. At least make an effort to get out of the way. 

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33

Random / Incredible trials bike ability

« on: January 11, 2018, 02:01:05 PM »

In 1973 when I was 16, I wanted a trials bike more than anything in the world. I never did get the bike I wanted, but I still enjoy watching the sport of trials.



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34

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Jimmy Lewis Super Frank 7'6 review

« on: December 12, 2017, 03:43:46 AM »

I've had about six sessions on the 7'6 SF and so far I am very happy with it.

I had no opportunity to demo one. I'm the first to order one in NH. My two biggest concerns were stability and volume.

Before this, the smallest board I'd been on was my 110 liter 8'4 x 29" Sunova Flow. The 8'4 Flow surfed great but didn't go well on the small mushy waves that we often have here. It also didn't have the stability I needed for bigger waves and would only work for me on the cleanest days. So after a ton of thinking and research, I traded it in on the Super Frank 7'6 x 31".

The Super Frank is 115 liters. I was worried that having that much volume in such a short board might be too much for my 170 lbs. The moment I got on it alleviated all my concerns. The board was considerably more stable than my 8'4 Flow and the volume, while a bit more than I needed for my weight, didn't feel too floaty or corky at all.

The first day was knee to waist and mushy. I started catching waves right away. I had no trouble adjusting to the shorter length. The first thing I noticed was the speed. It's way faster than my 8'4 in the small stuff. The ability to carry more speed through the waves allows for snappier turns. It also enables you to ride much higher on the wave keeping you ahead of the curl making it much easier to outrun the wave.

Bigger waves were a bit trickier. I had it out on a couple of head high days. Take offs were more challenging because the board just wants to go, kind of like a skateboard on a steep hill. I think it will be fun on bigger days as long as it's clean, but if there is any kind of chop, I would prefer my 8'10 Flow which I keep around just for that reason.

So the Super Frank is an awesome board that makes slow mushy surf into very fun waves. It's fast, stable and maneuverable. It's everything I had hoped it would be.

35

Gear Talk / Jimmy Lewis Super Frank?

« on: October 01, 2017, 04:58:22 AM »

Has anyone ridden the JL Super Frank?

I can't decide between the 7'6 x 31" Wide or the 8'0 x 30" Lean. Both are 115 liters which seems perfect for me at 170lbs. I know I could handle less volume but I think a few extra liters might help with speed and glide which is what I need on those slow mushy days.

I want to go as short as possible but I'm wondering how the extra inch of width on the 7'6 will affect performance compared to the 8'0 x 30". I'm sure I could ride either board comfortably. 

The 7'6 x 29.5" @ 100 liters is tempting but a little too narrow for me at my age, so I'm leaning toward the 7'6 x 31".

I would very much appreciate anyone's experience and/or opinions on this model.

http://jimmylewis.com/shop/super-frank/

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36

Sunova SUP / Brand new Sunova website

« on: September 23, 2017, 08:58:55 AM »

The new improved website is finally up and running. It still needs to be proofread for spelling errors but I like it so far. Easy to navigate. The new boards look cool. Lots of important details are provided along with a photo/video gallery for each board. Awesome! I'm really liking the new Flash.

http://www.sunovasurfboards.com/
 
The "featured boards" on the opening page seems unnecessary.

They are still claiming that the Search is a capable downwind/ocean board.  

I would like to see Bert design a downwind board that gets great glide downwind but will also turn on the wave and surf well like the Jimmy Lewis M series boards and others. I don't care much for the race oriented/dug out shapes.

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37

Random / You can edit your posts.

« on: July 20, 2017, 07:41:53 AM »

A few on the forum don't seem to know that you have the ability to edit after you make a post. Just hit Modify in the upper right corner. It will be there for about an hour after you make the post.

There is no need to make two or three posts in a row whenever you feel the need to add something.

38

Sunova SUP / Sunova paddle blade size?

« on: May 19, 2017, 05:11:44 AM »

Does anyone know what size blades are on the Sunova paddles?

The website has no useful info and seems outdated.

The Sunova paddle I have is silver with a wave graphic on the blade.

39

Random / Danny MacAskill and Toni Bou. Incredible riding.

« on: February 01, 2017, 05:58:12 AM »

40

Gear Talk / Dakine is improving their leashes for 2017.

« on: January 13, 2017, 02:37:25 AM »

Dakine has a new big wave leash coming out and will be releasing a whole new line of improved leashes this year so this article says.

http://magicseaweed.com/news/a-leash-big-wave-surfers-can-swear-by/9857/

41

Gear Talk / Shopping for new gloves? Do the counter test.

« on: December 17, 2016, 04:02:45 AM »

I've been wearing Excel Drylock gloves and mitts for a few years now. They are starting to wear out and it's time to replace them. I liked them alright but they did have a problem of slipping on the paddle shaft now and then, even after I waxed it.

So I went down to my local shop (Cinnamon Rainbows) to see what they had. I looked at the Xcels, Patagonia, Quicksilver and Body Glove.

I went with the Body Glove 5mm Pr1me Claw glove. 

http://shop.bodyglove.com/r/en/product.php?product_id=59801

The material is super soft and stretchy, they go on and off easily, but most of all they have incredible grip on smooth surfaces. I put one on and tried to slide my hand across the glass counter at the shop and it would not budge. The Xcels slide across the glass with hardly any grip at all and therefore they will also slip on your paddle.

When shopping and comparing gloves, always do the counter test. Get gloves that will grip glass and reject the ones that don't.

42

The Shape Shack / SUP GRIP installation project step by step.

« on: December 04, 2016, 07:13:28 AM »

Replacing a LiftSup handle with a SUP GRIP handle.

I have very little experience with board repairs. This was the first time I've done anything this major. My procedure was very unorthodox. I kind of learned as I went along but I'm happy with the results. All criticisms are welcome. 

I don't know how to post sentences between the pics so I will list the steps here with the corresponding pics below.

Step 1. I removed the deck pad from the area of the handle. The liftSup mechanism is removed by cutting it in half.

Step 2. I made a template from a piece of Lexan I had laying around and strapped it to the board over the LiftSup handle. I had to put some pieces of adhesive weatherstrip on the underside to keep it from sliding around.

Step 3. I routed out the hole with a Ryobi standard non-plunging router using a 2 1/2" carbide single "O" Flute plastic cutting bit.

http://www.toolstoday.com/p-5176-solid-carbide-single-o-flute-plastic-cutting-router-bits.aspx

It cut through the plastic no problem. I left the remainder of the handle in the board. Some foam was exposed but the plastic base contained a 3/4 inch void beneath the new handle which I filled with foam.

I decided to leave the flange of the new handle above deck and not rout out an inset. This meant the handle would not be flush but it's only an eighth of an inch and once covered with the deck pad you hardly notice it.

Step 4. I set the new SUP GRIP handle into the board with Gorilla Glue. I made sure I got glue on every surface that would come in contact with the handle and used enough so that as the glue expands, it would fill every void and come out onto the deck. That worked great. I set a ten pound weight on the handle to make sure it stayed down and didn't pop back up. I stood by with a butter knife to scrape away the glue as it came out onto the deck around the handle. It took about 30 minutes for the glue to stop expanding and begin to set up.

Step 5. Once the glue was dry, I sanded around the handle and fared around the edges of the flange with epoxy to create a gentle slope using West System 410 Microlight Faring Filler which I sanded smooth.

Step 6. I glassed around the handle with two layers of 6 oz cloth making sure to cover the flange, the entire faring area and some deck. Then covered that with Peel Ply. It was my first time using Peel Ply and it works great, making it require very little sanding after.

Step 7. I cut the deck pad material and glued it on using 3M High Strength 90 contact adhesive.

I could have done a fancier, more professional job but I think this is plenty strong, watertight and looks pretty good so I'm very happy with it.

43

The Shape Shack / Jimmy Lewis board construction videos.

« on: December 02, 2016, 02:05:06 PM »

These were posted over on the Breeze.

44

The Shape Shack / What's the best deck pad glue?

« on: November 14, 2016, 05:50:20 AM »

I'm almost done replacing the LiftSup handle on one of my boards with a Blue Planet handle and it's going pretty well.

The final step will be gluing down an 8"X8" piece of Sunova pad which has no adhesive backing. What would be the best type of glue for this? I'm tempted to just epoxy it down as I doubt I'll ever have to remove it again. Would that be a mistake?

How would you guys do it?

45

The Shape Shack / How easy is it replace a handle?

« on: October 21, 2016, 04:54:41 AM »

I'm sick of the LiftSUP handle on my Sunova. I'd like to replace it with the Blue Planet SupGrip. 

Is it a difficult job? Can the average board repair guy do it? Would I be looking at a huge labor cost if I hired someone?

I'm not sure if I have the skills to do it myself. Nor do I have the tools, but I'm open to the idea. I'm pretty good with epoxy. I've just never cut into a board before. Would it be risky as a DIY project? What tools would I need?

After watching this video, it looks like the LS handles are installed fairly permanently, with resin in the bottom of the hole. Is it even possible to get the handle out once it's installed or is that not an option?