Next surfboard?

Question

I need a new board and as far as I'm aware I have 3 choices...

1) Custom handshaped.

2) Still custom and most of the process is done by hand, the only difference is the company is slightly bigger and they use CAM and the boards are machine cut.

3) Pop-out.

Sturdyness, longevity and buoyancy are a must for me.

Will there be any real difference in the quality of the board between the first and second option?

Would going for the second option upset John F?

Thanks.

Answer 1

number 1 all the way.

the pop out would be my second choice

but thats just my opinion

and yes

Answer 2

Seems like you knew I would say option #1!

You can do fairly well with some machine cut boards, but they are all 'off the rack' , stock designs sizes, shapes and glass.

Aside from the 'soul' and aesthetics of option number 1, you also get to specify things like your deck glass, the amount of nose and tail rocker and a dozen other factors that can make the difference between a nice board and the exact right board for you. That custom board gives you real control over sturdiness and buoyancy (if it's sturdy, longevity depends on how well you take care of it).

In 42 years, I have only had two, and they really didn't cost me more than most off the rack boards would, and they are two of the best I have ever owned (I rode one for over twenty years!).

If you do go for a CAD shaped board, look carefully at all of the options the manufacturers has to offer, and be picky. Order it in, don't buy it off the shelf.

Now, you  just put the popout option in there to fire me up, right?

Answer 3

1 or 2

Answer 4

Forget the pop out. Get quality: 1 or 2. Al Merrick uses a machine to shape his boards, and they're great boards.

Answer 5

Should be no difference in the three characteristics that you listed for 1 & 2.  There may be some performance differences.  If the board hand finished it would be better than just cut and glassed.