Ordering a custom Hammerhead from Surfboards Makaha on Oahu?

[Philn]

So I've decided to order my first custom SUP. Surfboards Makaha is local here on Oahu so I'm going to go with them. Any advice for working with a shaper to get the board that is right for me, rather than the board that I think is right for me?

Background info:
I live on the South Shore of Oahu so mainly summer south swells - i.e. nothing close to North Shore size or power. In winter the swell is weak and tiny. My main sport is windsurfing and SUP has replaced surfing as my backup sport. So if the waves are decent and there is any kind of wind I'll be on a windsurfer. So I usually only SUP when it is very light wind, or small or onshore. I'm interested in a short length surfing SUP that still has reasonable stability without being super wide. I've owned a short and wide SUP with a lot of curve before (Naish Mana 7'9x33) and that didn't work for me. Too slow on the wave, didn't quickly generate speed in mushy waves to make them fun, and couldn't handle size so very narrow range. Currently I'm sharing a board with my wife, 8'6x32 at 120 L, fun on a wave but feels big. Fine for her for flat water cruising but too large for me in the waves. I appreciate the width when it is really choppy, but otherwise think I can go narrower. I recently borrowed an 8'0x29 at 105 L pin tail shape. Really fun on decent waves, and stable enough that I had no problem paddling out and catching waves. But in small mushy onshore surf it didn't generate speed quickly to make use of the mush. The Tomo/Vanguard style SUPs have caught my attention. Surfboards Makaha already has a shape called the Hammerhead that looks like it will fit my requirements.
http://www.surfboardsmakaha.com/products.html

[Zooport]

Tell your shaper exactly what you are looking for.  Like you shared above, exactly what works for you and exactly what you didn't like about your other board.  After you do that, trust your shaper. 

Keep in mind though, that smaller boards must be pumped to gain speed on the wave.  Bigger boards can go straight and be fast, but shorter boards must generate speed like you do on a skateboard.     

[kayadogg]

If you can, get him to come surf with you one day. That should be all he needs. Then just knowing where you surf the most and he'll be able to dial it in.

[breakbad]

I just got a custom done for the small mushy surf we get here (FL Gulf). Arrived last week. It catches ankle biters with ease, and is only 8'. Vanguard shape, but no channels. I haven't testing it on anything above 2' yet, waiting for the swell Tuesday.

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,26563.0.html

[Zooport]

I just got a custom done for the small mushy surf we get here (FL Gulf). Arrived last week. It catches ankle biters with ease, and is only 8'. Vanguard shape, but no channels. I haven't testing it on anything above 2' yet, waiting for the swell Tuesday.

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,26563.0.html

...and it's one of the coolest looking boards I have seen in a long time.

[dietlin]

Talk to the dudes who are surfing them.  There's a very local guy who surfs between the Sheraton and Derussy (whatever those series of breaks are called) without ever getting his hair wet in the early mornings.  He used to have one...

[breakbad]

I just got a custom done for the small mushy surf we get here (FL Gulf). Arrived last week. It catches ankle biters with ease, and is only 8'. Vanguard shape, but no channels. I haven't testing it on anything above 2' yet, waiting for the swell Tuesday.

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,26563.0.html

...and it's one of the coolest looking boards I have seen in a long time.

Thanks! He did a killer job. I'm getting lots of compliments, but that not why I bought it!! Come on mother nature!

[Philn]

Placed my down payment. I'm getting a 7'10 x 29 x 3 15/16 @ 105 L. 

[Zooport]

Those sound like good dims considering your above likes and dislikes.  Follow your gut.   I finally followed my gut, and I was right.  My new custom board is exactly what I was looking for.