Dear contributors to the longboarding forum,
The wife-boss has decided she wants to breed (call me Ross from her fave to show, Friends, I already have 2 sprogs, 12 and 22, from 2 different mothers.... This'll be third from 3, if'n I'm not shooting blanks).
Anyway, having been through this in the past, as many of you have, I'm acutely aware that this means no new board purchase if and when #3 comes along.... So time is of the essence....
Me, I've been surfing for about 18 months, most of that on an older 10'2" NSP. Despite surfing once or twice a week, I still consider myself a beginner. Mostly because I suck. My morning surf of 60-90 min typically results in me catching 1-3 waves.... improvement is slow.... While I think the NSP will do me happily for another year or so, I have the itch for something 'better'.

Regardless, all that's beside the point.
Afterall that prelim BS, I'm wanting to hear pros and cons of off-the-shelf vs somewhat custom.
I note that $$$ is typically the biggest factor here in terms of custom, and custom 'should' be the best choice, outside of cost, but I've got to think that some of the well established, well proven and long standing off-the-shelf boards have to be a reasonable decision too.

So, oh learned contributors of the longboarding forum, school me on the pros and cons of a new board purchase.

( I don't think, at this point, we need to discuss what is the right board for me, more whether custom or store bought is the answer).

lol...

Anyone wondering what kind of board they should get (not that you have asked) is the last person who should get a custom imo. If there are not specific dimensions, shapes or some other attribute you believe will be of benefit to you. Or unless your simply keen to get some kinda board art that you can't apply yourself onto an off the rack board. There just isn't any reason to get a custom imo.

Buying a second hand board or board off the rack or my personal favourite "the popout" ensures you know exactly what you are getting & in the case of the popout, you can even get if again or go shorter/longer in the same shape very easily. If you buy a popular model it can also be easily sold if it was not right for you.

Catching that amount of waves in the time you are in the water is contributing to your slow progress, unless the waves are going for a mile or more?

A friend rides the 10/2 NSP, he weighs 125kgs....what do you weigh?

I've ridden his and too much volume for my weight(85), so perhaps you have too much board as well?

I'm about 100 kg, give or take beer.
Without question, my biggest reason for the low wave count is letting the good ones go through to those whom are more accomplished.
I know the feeling of a great wave. It's why I surf. Nonetheless, I also know the feeling of when I leave a great wave to someone else, and they kook it out (like I sometimes do).
So, if a great wave comes through, and one of the locals starts to paddle, I typically let them take it, regardless of who's in the best spot.
It does, occasionally, work in my favour - if they hand me a wave afterwards... But that's reasonably rare.

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damned67 said..
I'm about 100 kg, give or take beer.
Without question, my biggest reason for the low wave count is letting the good ones go through to those whom are more accomplished.
I know the feeling of a great wave. It's why I surf. Nonetheless, I also know the feeling of when I leave a great wave to someone else, and they kook it out (like I sometimes do).
So, if a great wave comes through, and one of the locals starts to paddle, I typically let them take it, regardless of who's in the best spot.
It does, occasionally, work in my favour - if they hand me a wave afterwards... But that's reasonably rare.

Mate you need to hang in these parts more often

Thanks Mick, for the insight.
I certainly don't have a great idea of what I want when it comes to a custom... But there's something about chatting to a 'local' shaper (thus far, I've chatted to Tom Wegener and Tim from Noosa Longboards), about where and how you ride...

I had the same dilemma 5 years ago. Bought a nice second hand custom Farrelly, and whilst it was pretty, it wasn't that good until I got better. I then bought a nice second hand Wayne Dean, pretty again, and with a lot more volume, only 4 inches longer, but almost an inch thicker. Went really well, but I was still giving waves away to the blokes I surf with. Like you I was getting two waves an hour.

Then OBCT said something, "to learn how to surf better, first you must catch the wave". So I found a 10'1" Diverse by Feral Dave. It was also a custom, but for the bloke I bought if from. OB took it for a ride and immediately worked out that he could surf a glass board, after believing he could only surf epoxies because he's.... well, lets say a little on the fuller size. For me the Diverse is a great board, 94 litres and I weigh 85kg. Now I get my fair share and sometimes even out paddle OB, but not often.

Find a board that has volume with a fairly standard bottom and rail shape, that's also easy to paddle. It also should be by a shaper/maker that people know. MickPC is right, if you don't like it you can move it on. But one thing is certain, you must give the board a go, don't dismiss it on the first session. Give it at least three I reckon.

One of the advantages I have had from a custom board is I get a heavier glass job. If you intend to keep the board a while you make sure it has a good glass job and the board will last a lot longer. I have seen new off the shelf boards and after a couple of rides they have compression dents in the deck.

it is also good to talk to a shaper and not just a salesman.

Buy one of Macs boards that he has for sale. You will not find a better board for the price !

Good luck practising for the third. One can only imagine that you are trading up / down in female years with the range of previous kids ages. For that I salute you

Ted, I'm 42, she's 29.
I win.

And we've been together about 7 years

I'd be getting one of those big Mickey Munoz pop outs . Bomb proof and they go good especially for a bloke your size .

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smh said..
I'd be getting one of those big Mickey Munoz pop outs . Bomb proof and they go good especially for a bloke your size .

Yep, that's what OBCT was riding before he rode my Diverse 10'1" - He kept one, but never rode it much after getting his yellow board, then a custom Clearwater and then he made his own.

Now there's a thought.... make one for yourself, then you've only got yourself to blame if it doesn't go any good.

Nothing wrong with getting a Wegi, the model A would probably suit you.Tom used to have a few "demo" boards hanging round...Y don't you ask him?

Hey Peeps,
Let's avoid talking about what may or may not be the right board, or how hot my much younger wife may be
Is there any potential downside to a 'custom' board?

Yep, you don't get what you think you asked for..

Buying off the rack or second hand means you get to see the finished product, ordering a custom you sometimes get something not like you pictured, not saying it won't be a great board..

Don't go customs till you catching 10 plus waves an hour meanwhile give yourself another gold star from me

Ted, despite being an apparent kiwi, I like what you have to say....

And just how many gold stars equal a new board?

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damned67 said..
Ted, despite being an apparent kiwi, I like what you have to say....

You mite want to hold off for a minute,he supports Manly

So many good boards on GT for great prices. I just scan through at night takes 10 mins and if you are patient you will find something kicka**!!

And once you have had a few red wines with the father inlaw you just hit "buy" and you have done the classic McHery play

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Ted the Kiwi said...
Don't go customs till you catching 10 plus waves an hour meanwhile give yourself another gold star from me

Damn. I should have waited before I got a custom.

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damned67 said..
Dear contributors to the longboarding forum,
The wife-boss has decided she wants to breed (call me Ross from her fave to show, Friends, I already have 2 sprogs, 12 and 22, from 2 different mothers.... This'll be third from 3, if'n I'm not shooting blanks).
Anyway, having been through this in the past, as many of you have, I'm acutely aware that this means no new board purchase if and when #3 comes along.... So time is of the essence....
Me, I've been surfing for about 18 months, most of that on an older 10'2" NSP. Despite surfing once or twice a week, I still consider myself a beginner. Mostly because I suck. My morning surf of 60-90 min typically results in me catching 1-3 waves.... improvement is slow.... While I think the NSP will do me happily for another year or so, I have the itch for something 'better'.

Regardless, all that's beside the point.
Afterall that prelim BS, I'm wanting to hear pros and cons of off-the-shelf vs somewhat custom.
I note that $$$ is typically the biggest factor here in terms of custom, and custom 'should' be the best choice, outside of cost, but I've got to think that some of the well established, well proven and long standing off-the-shelf boards have to be a reasonable decision too.

So, oh learned contributors of the longboarding forum, school me on the pros and cons of a new board purchase.

( I don't think, at this point, we need to discuss what is the right board for me, more whether custom or store bought is the answer).

Damned67 a few things stand out here for me..... We've got a 10'2" NSP at the school I teach at- those things are absolute wave harvesters, though offer a pretty average ride once up and surfing. They do suffer in off shores as most epoxies do. A strongly glassed 6 6 6oz longboard will be heavier but offer more glide entering waves. Are you in the 'sweet spot' when paddling for a wave? Is your paddling strength up to par? Is your confidence in your ability lacking? It is very important to be assertive and paddle for a wave like you are going to get it- no question. Do you chat with others in the water? Assessing the line up, who the alpha surfers are, giving a smile and 'g day'...... If you are only getting 1-3 waves per session then I reckon paddling/easy wave catching is the number 1 criteria for you. Volume, adequate length, flattish rocker.... These components have been discussed by many on these threads over the years. Lastly, don't rule out the mighty high volume 8'er- McCoy nugget, Miller Waterskate etc etc these things can sometimes give little away in paddle but improve your surfing as they are easier to turn, giving more confidence in your ability.

Buy a custom

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AJ67 said..
One of the advantages I have had from a custom board is I get a heavier glass job. If you intend to keep the board a while you make sure it has a good glass job and the board will last a lot longer. I have seen new off the shelf boards and after a couple of rides they have compression dents in the deck.

it is also good to talk to a shaper and not just a salesman.

I reckon I'll go 'custom' for this reason....
Pulled out my somewhat unriden 9' glass pop-out board (long story... well, not that long... apparently if you rock into one of the discount surf outlets, as an unfit 100kg 40-some year old, after 1 surf lesson, a low volume 9' is a perfect beginners board....).
Anyway, a couple of decent sessions and it looks like an elephant has stomped all over it... which it has.

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damned67 said..

AJ67 said..
One of the advantages I have had from a custom board is I get a heavier glass job. If you intend to keep the board a while you make sure it has a good glass job and the board will last a lot longer. I have seen new off the shelf boards and after a couple of rides they have compression dents in the deck.

it is also good to talk to a shaper and not just a salesman.

I reckon I'll go 'custom' for this reason....
Pulled out my somewhat unriden 9' glass pop-out board (long story... well, not that long... apparently if you rock into one of the discount surf outlets, as an unfit 100kg 40-some year old, after 1 surf lesson, a low volume 9' is a perfect beginners board....).
Anyway, a couple of decent sessions and it looks like an elephant has stomped all over it... which it has.

ouch....

im suprised he didnt try and sell you a 666 then

and looking forward to seeing/hearing what you get