Author Topic: Surfboards (Longboards)  (Read 61312 times)

surfafrica

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #15 on: May 16, 2020, 07:09:42 PM »
The Walden Magic Model was my first longboard.  I loved it!  Such a good all around shape.  It handles all kinds of conditions.

My buddy now longboards on a Walden Mega Magic and catches soooo many waves.  I sometimes take it out and SUP on it (I'm a small guy).

One of my buddies has an Infinity Secret Weapon.  It's a high volume longboard. He loves it (he's a big guy).  I sometimes take it out as a SUP too.

One of my favorite longboards (back when I was still surfing longboards) was the Harbour Merlin.    One of my buddies had a Rapier and loved it too.

https://www.harboursurfboards.com/all-models
https://www.harboursurfboards.com/evolution
https://www.harboursurfboards.com/cruisers

One of my all time favorite shapers was Takayama.  I loved those pinched rails! The In The Pink is such a classic shape.

https://www.surfboardsbydonaldtakayama.com/surfboards/progressive-longboards/
« Last Edit: May 16, 2020, 07:13:45 PM by surfafrica »
50 years old, 5'7", 150 lbs, intermediate
Infinity RNB: 7'6 x 28, 95 L https://goo.gl/SqlWR4
Kronos LB: 8'10 x 26.5, 84 L https://goo.gl/4iQdps
Kronos Nano: 7'4 x 26, 81 L https://goo.gl/kAM8W6

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #16 on: May 17, 2020, 04:24:13 AM »
The Walden Magic Model was my first longboard.  I loved it!  Such a good all around shape.  It handles all kinds of conditions.

My buddy now longboards on a Walden Mega Magic and catches soooo many waves.  I sometimes take it out and SUP on it (I'm a small guy).

One of my all time favorite shapers was Takayama.  I loved those pinched rails! The In The Pink is such a classic shape.

https://www.surfboardsbydonaldtakayama.com/surfboards/progressive-longboards/

When it comes to Walden, I do like the Mega Magic model for the extra volume. This board should do well catching waves down at Surfside, Tx which is my preferred place to ride waves on the upper Texas coast. The 9'0" Mega Magic is one I have looked at quite a few times.

And Surftech builds Walden's Mega Magic model in different lengths using Surftech's Tuflite molded technology construction. The link to the 9' Mega Magic is below.

https://www.waldensurfboards.com/products/surftech-90-tuflite-mega-magic

As for the Tuflite construction, I've looked at that too in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R173jIoZf5c

Thanks for the link for Takayama. I'll have to look at those models, like the Beach Break, later on.
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #17 on: May 17, 2020, 05:38:59 AM »
I've got one more surfboard I found. Not a well known brand name. It is a Degree 33 surfboard at 9'0" x 23" x 3" @ 72.5 liters, three fin boxes and epoxy construction.

https://www.degree33surfboards.com/collections/longboards-performance/products/9-ultimate-longboard-surfboard-teal-chevron-epoxy-2019

And I was able to find three videos of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULHMfRzQuJ4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON92dRUA6v8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpY7hCvppOw

Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

burchas

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #18 on: May 17, 2020, 08:11:11 AM »
This is a very tough subject, mostly because one has to really know where you at in your progression both mentally and skill wise to nail it.
For my process, it helped a lot if I could break down my boards function and features into a simple 5 item list. Once I managed manage that, I found it was super easy to nail down a shape.
Before I managed that, I found plenty of multiple pages long threads on the zone to help me go through the process, trust me, it's all there :-\

It was only after my 10th board and lots of $$$ that I started recognizing a pattern and realized I need a better process in choosing a shape. Needless to say that buying into all the marketing hype on YouTube didn't really help.
It took a few door surfing clips before I realized that, don't be that guy ;)  As always, I'm rooting for you winger

door commercial, go to 1:07 mark
https://youtu.be/OFkT_Cio7M0
« Last Edit: May 17, 2020, 08:15:21 AM by burchas »
in progress...

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #19 on: May 17, 2020, 04:22:40 PM »
@ burchas

I already knew it would be a tough subject. But I'm going on what the normal waves I find down at Surfside along with going back into my memory when I was 15 years old when I learned to surf a surfboard and my favorite board back then was one in 9' of length. But I can't remember it's width of thickness.

As for me, I'm not a shredder or do fancy moves. I just like the glide. This type of surfing most people would call "boring", but I like it. I like to catch as many waves as I can.
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #20 on: May 17, 2020, 04:27:13 PM »
Time for me more info in my "maybe" quest.

In this topic thread, I've already stated I prefer an epoxy built board over a poly built board. Without going into lots or details, in the video below, I already knew the difference so I'll just let the video do the "talking".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XGLwihLtOw
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

burchas

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #21 on: May 17, 2020, 06:17:27 PM »
@ burchas

I already knew it would be a tough subject. But I'm going on what the normal waves I find down at Surfside along with going back into my memory when I was 15 years old when I learned to surf a surfboard and my favorite board back then was one in 9' of length. But I can't remember it's width of thickness.

As for me, I'm not a shredder or do fancy moves. I just like the glide. This type of surfing most people would call "boring", but I like it. I like to catch as many waves as I can.

Now that you put it that way, it's actually very easy. You pretty much described the 5 item list:
  • 9'x comfortable width x suitable volume
  • Surfside Surfing
  • Catching/Gliding machine
  • No shreding/fancy moves
  • Epoxy construction with 5 fins

The formula for this is pretty easy, Now you just have to take it to shaper that will tailor it for your exact specs. No need to compromise.
@surfcowboy was right on the money, and a good local shaper will most likely have the best rocker for the job which is priceless.

In fact it's so boring I'm going to find a local shaper my self because I need a 9' wave catching machine that's going to live in my car just in case I'm passing by the beach on my way
to grab lunch and I see some nice rollers I want to jump on. Maybe it will make me feel 15 again :)
in progress...

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #22 on: May 18, 2020, 06:36:39 AM »
@ buchas

I'm glad you understand what I'm trying to do with a surfboard.

The webcam down at Surfside went subscription and it uses Flash. Many people don't like Flash, but I'm not one of them. And I run a linux distribution (Mint-Xfce) as my operating system.

But the waves down at Surfside look very much like the waves down at Port Aransas and I do have free streaming webcam of it. So you'll have some idea what the normal waves at Surfside will look like. The webcam might take about 10 seconds to load.

https://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/texas-seagull-condos-live-beach-surf-cam


The "rollers" way out "beyond the waves starting to break in the surf zone" is what I normally surf with my sups.

Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #23 on: May 18, 2020, 06:45:58 AM »
Coming down the home stretch now.

When it comes to finishes on surfboards, there are two types. They are gloss and sanded. I prefer a sanded finish. The video below pretty much explains my preferences why I like a sanded finish on a surfboard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suBjsJw71xE
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

oakfish

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #24 on: May 18, 2020, 06:56:38 AM »
Strongly 2nd surfcowboy's comments.  It sounds like you've already made up your mind, but I'd stick with a single fin for 2 reasons:
1) You say you just want to glide.  Extra fins won't help with that goal
2) Multiple fins are almost always attached to a performance longboard and I've never met anyone that really liked their performance longboard (including me).  It's like the worst of both worlds.  Too much rocker to truly glide and get into the wave early.  Too long to whip some fast turns.  I completely understand why you want one...I thought I wanted one too.  I thought I was getting a single board quiver.  But I never ride it.  If the waves are small and/or weak, you want a true longboard/log that gets you in early and glides.  If the waves have a bit more power, use a twin fin fish.
Used boards definitely make sense, especially if you end up changing your mind on the single fin.  I have so many new boards that I thought would be "the one," but I always seem to end up on a used board I bought from a friend.  Also, everyone seems to love wavestorms and other foamies, but in my opinion, you can't beat the rigidity of a true hardtop.

SUP Leave

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #25 on: May 18, 2020, 10:28:30 AM »
Because of my kids I have been doing a lot more surfing than SUP lately. Probably 75/25 last few years. My SUPs all want to be ridden from the tail, where classic longboards are ridden in the front 2/3 of the board. My opinion is below and it may be of no use to you, but here it is.

I have a bunch of longboards and mid lengths and have ridden lots of others.

Board choice has a lot to do with the wave you surf in my opinion. If your waves are slow rollers, classic longboard single fin is the most fun and free way to surf (IMO). The first swooping turn after standing up on a longboard is to me one of the best feelings in surfing. I think that rounded rails and a spoon nose is the most comfortable here, foiled out rails are faster and fun but you need really active feet to ride thin rails (IMO). The boards you are looking at all have rounded rails for the most part.

If you are dealing with punchy beach break, meaning lots of closeouts and the wave standing up on sand bars, I don't like thick railed single fins. 9-0 by 2-1/2" thick, with 2+1 or a thruster is far more comfortable to me. I want something I can control off of my back foot in an instant on quicker breaking waves. I only surfed in Texas one day and I would say the wave period was pretty short (5-6 seconds) controlling a log of a longboard paddling out was a chore. A thinner board that you can drag through waves as needed would be nice there.

I think Joe Blair has been making a lot of crossover type boards between SUP and surfboards. Thick boards that have the same momentum as a sup, with lots of room for your feet. Plus he installs a handle on these extra wide boards. I have never rode one, but have been interested for a while. I feel like you can surf one of these with heavy back foot pressure (like my SUP).

https://www.jblairsurf.com/big-guy-surfboards/

I guess my summary is that if you are wanting a 9-6,  I would not want 3" thick for a board with all of the fin setups you like. I think at your weight you would get tired of carrying and paddling out that much volume with minimal returns. Max width 22" and 2-3/4" thick - Jimmy Lewis HP 9-1 (rode this a lot in Maui and it was great for me - @ 6'2" 220#).  If you want a thick board for buoyancy, I recommend a shorter length.

I get to surf on Thursday this week (thank GOD). I am probably going to ride a 8' McCoy Nugget. It is a super corky board (quirky thick shape too) which makes it hard to handle on paddle outs and the tail does not sink into waves on take offs - but it is lightning fast with your feet over the fins. Would never recommend it to a beginner even though the thickness makes it look like a beginner board.



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Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #26 on: May 18, 2020, 02:15:39 PM »
Strongly 2nd surfcowboy's comments.  It sounds like you've already made up your mind, but I'd stick with a single fin for 2 reasons:
1) You say you just want to glide.  Extra fins won't help with that goal
2) Multiple fins are almost always attached to a performance longboard and I've never met anyone that really liked their performance longboard (including me).  It's like the worst of both worlds.  Too much rocker to truly glide and get into the wave early.  Too long to whip some fast turns.  I completely understand why you want one...I thought I wanted one too.  I thought I was getting a single board quiver.  But I never ride it.  If the waves are small and/or weak, you want a true longboard/log that gets you in early and glides.  If the waves have a bit more power, use a twin fin fish.

The reason I like multiple fin boxes is because it gives you options if the waves one is expecting doesn't pan out whether the waves are bigger or smaller than what one was expecting.

Most single fin boards with low rocker are basically "nose riders" (in my opinion). The Walden Mega Magic and Magic are true nose riders. But, they have multiple fin boxes so they can be ridden; depending on wave conditions, either as a single fin, a 2 + 1 or a true thruster all three fins which are the same length.

With the above said, below is a video of a Walden 9' Mega Magic. The waves in this video are very similar to the waves to the west of the 91st Street Fishing Pier on Galveston Island where I sometimes sup surf at on Galveston Island. The only detail I can't see in this video is whether the rider is surfing the waves with a single fin, a 2 + 1 or a true thruster with all three fins the same length.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQT8kOA39co

And I never get tired of surfing these types of waves. I usually get down to the beach at first light and I will surf and catch as many waves I can in a 4 hours session. After 4 hours, with a few breaks inbetween for snacks and liquids, then I'm "all surfed out", pack up and head back to my home.
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

Dusk Patrol

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #27 on: May 18, 2020, 02:39:02 PM »
Here's 9 minutes of happiness... following 45 seconds of hilarious grom trash talking... and William Devaughn...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCnJqHV7Qy8
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #28 on: May 18, 2020, 02:40:49 PM »
@ SUP Leave

Thanks for your reply. I enjoy reading a detailed post with lots of good information in it. I will check out the Jimmy Lewis HP 9-1 on the internet.

As for me surfing, that is on hold right now since I'm recuperating at my home from a kidney stone removal procedure. I couldn't pass the nearly half inch sized stone lodged in the center of my left kidney.

Again, thanks for the detailed reply. It is most appreciated by me.
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

Night Wing

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Re: Surfboards (Longboards)
« Reply #29 on: May 18, 2020, 02:45:06 PM »
@ Dusk Patrol

You were right. That video was 9 minutes of classic longboarding happiness or as I would say...........Nirvana.  :)  n

Thanks for posting and sharing that video.
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

 


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