I am looking at a Trigger SUP @ 9''6" does anyone have anything they can share?
When I briefly looked in at Pt Leo I cant remember seeing a vent - do they have them?
If not does anyone know why they don't but others do?

I looked at their sups and they are built for a price sensitive market. They are heavy and bulky and they also have better brands to sell at the Pt Leo shop. In saying that the prices are $$$ more than you will pay at Jacks Boards, SHQ, and The Zu, Mordy's etc. if you want a cheap starter board and don't mind the extra weight you will be happy but I would suggest you look around more so you see what is available on the market.

How wide is the 9'6" .. and how heavy are you?

I've seen some of Phil's boards and they look pretty good..

Re the vent screw.. IMO they are not really needed and most people with them in their boards just set and forget.. forever.. They are worth having if you expect very high temps and don't take care of your board on very hot days.. It also depends on the type of core the board has.. Some cores don't expand as much as others and some boards just cut costs by not having one..

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DaveSandan said..
I looked at their sups and they are built for a price sensitive market. They are heavy and bulky and they also have better brands to sell at the Pt Leo shop. In saying that the prices are $$$ more than you will pay at Jacks Boards, SHQ, and The Zu, Mordy's etc. if you want a cheap starter board and don't mind the extra weight you will be happy but I would suggest you look around more so you see what is available on the market, you are starting at the bottom and there is only one way to go.

Unfair DaveSandan...Trigger brothers are big supporters of the SUP world and shouldn't be denigrated in the way that you've just done.
If it wasn't for Triggers support then we probably wouldn't get a look in at the Westernport breaks.
Phil took me out for my first SUP when he knew I was only a vague chance of getting a board, let alone maybe one of his. Gave his time freely and generously.
He also showed me (& DJ) a custom board a while ago that was ridiculously light.
They stock many boards at different levels of finish, price and I suppose weight.
You make them sound like complete clunkers and clowns that shouldn't be dealt with.
Poor form.

I've had the Trigger Bros 9'6 as my first SUP - really enjoyed it.
After 2 years I traded it in and got the Trigger Bros 8'6x31 and really enjoy it - had it for over 12 months now.
I've tried the Naish Mana GT 8'5 and enjoyed that too, but it is also about $900 dearer and for me there wasn't much difference.
Phil has really looked after me and I've been out in the surf with him a few times and he really helped me progress on the waves with a few helpful hints.
Last time I saw him in the surf he gave me some fins to try on my board as a quad setup to see if I liked that better.
I also damaged my 9'6 on some rocks and Phil fixed it for $70 and you wouldn't know it had been damaged.
I've also got the Sunova Style 10', but prefer my TB 8'6

I have edited the last comment it could have been worded better! Yes I did also say they have other boards and did not say they were clowns nor that they did not support sup. I made an honest observation of their budget boards, they are aimed at the low end of the market and they are big. I saw one of the guys at Pt Leo over Christmas showing people their sups and doing demo's and they were great with them so don't think i am denigrating anyone.
I like their surf boards, I even bought my first board from the Chelsea store in 1978 but an honest opinion is just that, an opinion.
Actually to be totally fair I should say that PHIL and Trigger have nothing to do with my opinion because I have the same opinion of the same board available at The Island Board Shop.

Thanks
The board I looked at was the bamboo top 9'6" X 31" - $1695. After 3 years of work I am down from 94kg to 85kg- I won't change much either way-now. My current board is 10'6" x29" with a gortex placKy vent - the biggest issue I have with it is the ease it picks up any damage. OKE do a excellant job to repair it each time.

What I am looking for is a board which I can use in the surf (but I set my limit at 6 ft) and the flat at Carrum
And has a reasonable resilence to damage caused by resting on stones, rock - I am not harsh with my boards

The Trigger boards looks good but importantly feels right. I was just concerned about the vent.

I wouldn't leave any of my boards on stones and rocks - they will get damaged

I would say go and try the board out in the surf before you buy it. I agree with Dave Sandan, they have price point boards and do the odd custom. I have had both, and the custom was done buy 4D surfboards but glassed by Phil to my requirements. The custom is still in perfect shape, but the popout was cactus after 2 months. You get what you pay for, no matter if it's from Triggers, Jacks, KR, SHQ, Zu or others.

Oak and Stump from St Andrews Beach are by far the best in repairs, and you really can't go past great Aussie made customs.

I did did have a mate that went into Triggers to buy a Naish that was instock but got talked into buying a Trigger/China board as it was cheaper but the profit margin was much higher. Within 2 months he went and got his Naish.

All I can say is, demo, demo and demo.

I started with a 10'x31" Trigger board (from Phil) two years ago for about $650 with a carbon paddle. It was a great way for me to get started.