Surfboard Question?

Question

Ok so if you have some insihght on my problem help me out.

So my parents offered to buy me a new surfboard fro christmas. Ive always been out on my 7'3" gun. Ive been wanting a longboard fot awhile but i havnt seen anything i like. Ive only seen a 10' nose rider that was nicceeeeee. I took a look at my gun again and i started to notice i havnt treated it nicley these past 4 years. Its tanning like crazy and the tail is busted(not even my surf shop thinks its worth repairing). So ive decided to restore it. I wanna get my handy dandy knife out and carefully cut away the fiberglass,sand to expose a whiter surface,get a new finbox,and get a glasser.

So:

1. Possible at all?

2.Can i keep my fin plug on or do i have to remove?

3.I have glassed on fins so do they come off when i remove the glass?

4. Overall estimaed price,or should i just get a new board

Answer 1

Yea.  Get yourself a new board.  4 years is a long time to only ride one board.  If its 7'3" and the tail is really messed up, it would be a great board to reshape at some point.  Since it's so messed up, you really have nothing to lose (once you've got a new board.)  So you won't feel too bad if you mess it up.  I've reshaped a lot of old boards, with some really cool results.  Try things you wouldn't try if you went out and got a blank to shape, or if you were paying someone for a new board... bonzer, little twin fish... whatever.  Busted old boards have endless potential.

You can typically reshape a board for about $60 + new fin system, depending on how much glass you can keep on.  If the deck and bottom are glassed well, and you just have to redo the rails, maybe it will cost a lot less.  Its super fun.  I recomend going to the local glass shop (ask where it is at the local surf shop) and talk it up.  Maybe watch the John Carper instructional videos.  They're good.  Glassing 101 teaches most of what you need to know to get started.  Have fun, wear a respirator.  Peace

Answer 2

Honestly, you're just better off getting a new board.  Listen to the surf shop employees.  They have good advice once in a while. ;) Too much time and effort, and there are no guarantees that your board will end up the way you want it.  Why not get the 10' nose rider?  Especially if your 'rents are willing to pay for it.