I'm still new to shaping (71 boards to date, at this writing) but have come up with some successful boards, especially in the daily-driver and average-surf range for bigger guys. I personally prefer the boards I've made for myself for most situations, especially grovel and small wave boards, and not just because I made them but because when I make boards for myself I can fine tune in ways that won't be found in an off-the-rack board, or that can be difficult to get a busy, established shaper to do for you. Where I've copied other boards, the results have been very much like the originals, and in some cases I've made changes that seem to be significant improvements (or at least what I'm personally looking to change about the original design's characteristics). Lately, as I've started to make more boards for friends, and to sell some boards to make room on my racks for new ones, I've gotten some requests to make boards for hire.
I'm willing to do it, depending on the particular situation and request. Here's how ordering a board works:
1. We talk/correspond about what you're looking for, what works and doesn't work about your current equipment, how you might change your equipment or add to it to improve your surfing life, and whether I'm the right person to make the board you're seeking. If I have boards on hand that will help to make your decision, I may as you to take one out for a day to get some concrete feedback on what might best suit you, what your tastes are. If you are an advanced surfer who's owned 20 or more boards, I may invite you to make repeated visits to check progress as you will have developed an eye and feel for what you want that is important to consult.
2. If I'm the right person to shape your board (in some cases I might not be), we'll finalize all the details -- planshape, dimensions, hull details, deck details, volume and foil -- and the cost of the blank and shaping is paid up front. I'm going to elect to disclose the cost of the blank and shaping later, rather than here publicly, in consideration of other more accomplished shapers. My bottom line to shape a board is appropriate to my ability (I'm not cheating myself, but also not cheating you, or harming other shapers by undermining their pricing).
When the board is done, I can either bring the shaped board to a glasser or hand the shaped board off to you (wrapped in paper) for you take to your favorite glasser yourself. If you prefer that I take the board to the glasser, you pay only the actual cost for the glassing, up front at the time the board is shaped and ready to glass.
3. Once I take payment, the shaped board itself will take 2-3 weeks to be ready for glassing. Sometimes it can be quicker. Stretch glassing takes longer than Paradise, Paradise is usually a couple of weeks, give or take. I do know how to glass, and glass most of my own boards, but the professional factory glassing will be done better cosmetically, and is actually less expensive than what I'd have to ask to make it worth the time it would take me to do it. My favorite local glassing company is Paradise Fiberglass in Watsonville, but I also like Stretch's glassing (a bit more expensive than Paradise, but that's for Resin Research epoxy rather than polyester resin). If you want me to make a board, and have it glassed for you, I would recommend one of these two, based on cost, quality, and business ethics.
Boards can be ordered to be shipped. The best deal is on the West Coast, as Action Sports delivers up and down the CA coast for very reasonable costs, much lower than shipping via UPS/Fedex/USPS.
To inquire about boards, already made or to be made, or that you'd like to have made, please feel welcome to email below:
I'm willing to do it, depending on the particular situation and request. Here's how ordering a board works:
1. We talk/correspond about what you're looking for, what works and doesn't work about your current equipment, how you might change your equipment or add to it to improve your surfing life, and whether I'm the right person to make the board you're seeking. If I have boards on hand that will help to make your decision, I may as you to take one out for a day to get some concrete feedback on what might best suit you, what your tastes are. If you are an advanced surfer who's owned 20 or more boards, I may invite you to make repeated visits to check progress as you will have developed an eye and feel for what you want that is important to consult.
2. If I'm the right person to shape your board (in some cases I might not be), we'll finalize all the details -- planshape, dimensions, hull details, deck details, volume and foil -- and the cost of the blank and shaping is paid up front. I'm going to elect to disclose the cost of the blank and shaping later, rather than here publicly, in consideration of other more accomplished shapers. My bottom line to shape a board is appropriate to my ability (I'm not cheating myself, but also not cheating you, or harming other shapers by undermining their pricing).
When the board is done, I can either bring the shaped board to a glasser or hand the shaped board off to you (wrapped in paper) for you take to your favorite glasser yourself. If you prefer that I take the board to the glasser, you pay only the actual cost for the glassing, up front at the time the board is shaped and ready to glass.
3. Once I take payment, the shaped board itself will take 2-3 weeks to be ready for glassing. Sometimes it can be quicker. Stretch glassing takes longer than Paradise, Paradise is usually a couple of weeks, give or take. I do know how to glass, and glass most of my own boards, but the professional factory glassing will be done better cosmetically, and is actually less expensive than what I'd have to ask to make it worth the time it would take me to do it. My favorite local glassing company is Paradise Fiberglass in Watsonville, but I also like Stretch's glassing (a bit more expensive than Paradise, but that's for Resin Research epoxy rather than polyester resin). If you want me to make a board, and have it glassed for you, I would recommend one of these two, based on cost, quality, and business ethics.
Boards can be ordered to be shipped. The best deal is on the West Coast, as Action Sports delivers up and down the CA coast for very reasonable costs, much lower than shipping via UPS/Fedex/USPS.
To inquire about boards, already made or to be made, or that you'd like to have made, please feel welcome to email below: