You know are pigs the moment you go to pick them up from the shaper. Had a few over the years - one of which the shaper decided he'd do a snub nose even though I hadn't asked for it.
I've always paid the $ anyway and taken it home. Didn't want to burst the shapers bubble.
Anyone had the same happen and ever said nah I'm not taking it?

Nope - had one classic - as soon as I looked at it I knew it was not going to float me. When I picked it up in my hands it was even more clear. The shape was insane though. I bit the bullet and took it home - paddled it out twice - and both times it went like a rocket - just was too bloody hard paddling this thing. In the end I caught this ripper of a wave and decided that things were not going to get any better. That was my last custom until the one Tux made me recently..... . Since then I have purchased mostly those pop out boards that every one seems to hate but I love Give me a nice Tomo / Firewire / Al Merrick that I can feel and see before I walk out the door and I have never been disappointed. Maybe I should man up and get some more customs - but the others have never let me down


So what happened to you Captain? Recent bad experience? Come on share

Ha ha nah mate no recent experiences was just thinking of the off the rack vs local custom debate that surfaced again in the Shortboard room. That one I got years ago bared no resemblance to what I asked for so maybe the shaper smoked a bit too much that week
Pretty happy with my Annesley at moment great value for money and he has so many models it's hard to go wrong

Never had a custom, actually only ever had about 7 new boards. Mostly just picked up second handy's after breaking a board. Rode the same board for about 15 years up until 2009, it has a steel stringer & i still have it

Had a board off the rack I didn't like called an Al Merrick Gravy that I sold to a bloke looking for a 2nd back up to his same model that he loves.

I had a board off a shaper that I loved - a 6'6" - I was so impressed I took in a 6'10" and asked for his interpretation of the 6'10" (which I still have and it is one of two "magic" boards I have had).

The 6'9" I got wasn't as loose as the 6'6" or 6'10", didnt paddle as well as the 6'10" and felt more like my 7'2" but without the paddle power. It just didn't do anything different or better than boards I already had. I sold it last year to a bloke who loves it. It's only the 3rd board I have ever sold.

Another board I got made I sat on the shaper's shoulder as I asked him three times from the final shape to lose some rail volume. The second time I asked he looked at me and said, "you can take it away, but you can't put it back. Are you sure?" Thinking I knew stuff, I insisted. Now, the board has never let me down. It is the board I have had one of my biggest and best barrels on. But the rails just feel weird. Like everyone I sit there out the back and fondle my board and it doesn't instil confidence in me as I feel it. It's a gun, so feeling confident and having faith is pretty important.

So my "dogs" have been a result of input from me.

Having said that, I have never had a board off a shaper under 50 - grey hairs count in my book as they have made most of their mistakes before me.

Out of the last four boards I have bought off the rack, 2 were crap, one did exactly what I wanted but snapped after 18 months, and one was far far better and more versatile than I expected and is one of my current go to boards (and a rare off the rack board with 6 X 6 X 6 oz glass

).

Had one custom I wasn't happy with. It was the first board I ever had with FCS instead of glassed in fins. First surf i was totally dissapointed. Board came standard with G 5's, swapped the fins out and then became one of the best sticks I've ever had.

I had a similar experience..like Ted I had several tuflite boards by well known "shapers"..McCoy..McT..Donald T..Rob August..etc

I found I liked them all straight up...but when I got a custom it took 4 sets of fins to find the ones that worked for me..weird.

have had two **** customs both from blokes on Phillip Island...they looked alright but went like pigs so I sold them

You guys are too young and missed all the fun.
Mid 70's and twinnies were just starting to get going, met a back yarder through a mate and he made me a 6'2" twin fin.
It was ****. Fins were almost parallel, no toe in, no outward rake, not wide enough apart. The rails were boxy, just didn't feel right under my arm. Rode in straight lines only.
Anyway, kept it for a year, gave it to one of the kids in the area learning to surf. Bit the bullet, went up to Coffs Harbour Jetty and got the best board of my life (wish I still had it) from Bob Cooper. Cost me about 3 weeks wages, but worth every cent.
Dark red twin fin. What a great board.

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thedrip said..

So my "dogs" have been a result of input from me.

My first custom wasnt what i wanted.... thought i knew what i was after! now with my new fish..... im giving the shaper creative freedom with minimal input, only rough dims, literage (even though litres probably arent his thing) and what i want out of the board and skill level. I hope he nails it.

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mitchmcm said...

thedrip said..

So my "dogs" have been a result of input from me.

My first custom wasnt what i wanted.... thought i knew what i was after! now with my new fish..... im giving the shaper creative freedom with minimal input, only rough dims, literage (even though litres probably arent his thing) and what i want out of the board and skill level. I hope he nails it.

Does he have grey hair?

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Sandsy1 said..
You guys are too young and missed all the fun.
Mid 70's and twinnies were just starting to get going, met a back yarder through a mate and he made me a 6'2" twin fin.
It was ****. Fins were almost parallel, no toe in, no outward rake, not wide enough apart. The rails were boxy, just didn't feel right under my arm. Rode in straight lines only.
Anyway, kept it for a year, gave it to one of the kids in the area learning to surf. Bit the bullet, went up to Coffs Harbour Jetty and got the best board of my life (wish I still had it) from Bob Cooper. Cost me about 3 weeks wages, but worth every cent.
Dark red twin fin. What a great board.

It wasn't this fella Sandsy ..although it's a crossover Cooper between Simons Thrusters and pre thrusters.

Way back I would order my custom boards through a local store which no longer is in business.On one occassion I ordered a board which had a pin tail and spray on the rails only,it was a tiger strip spray.The owner of the store called me to say me board was in,I said how did it turn out?he said great if your into Balmain tigers. Thats didn't sound promising.I arrive to pick up my board and there it is,not only did they spray the rails they also sprayed the bottom and man it looked terrible,when I questioned to store they said oh we stuffed up but can you help us out and take it anyway,I knew these guys for a long time and I just couldn't it was shocking,a closer look after and I see my loop hole,its a squaretail so I said sorry no can do,a new board was ordered and the one above sat in the shop for about 6 months.

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surfbroker said..

Sandsy1 said..
You guys are too young and missed all the fun.
Mid 70's and twinnies were just starting to get going, met a back yarder through a mate and he made me a 6'2" twin fin.
It was ****. Fins were almost parallel, no toe in, no outward rake, not wide enough apart. The rails were boxy, just didn't feel right under my arm. Rode in straight lines only.
Anyway, kept it for a year, gave it to one of the kids in the area learning to surf. Bit the bullet, went up to Coffs Harbour Jetty and got the best board of my life (wish I still had it) from Bob Cooper. Cost me about 3 weeks wages, but worth every cent.
Dark red twin fin. What a great board.

It wasn't this fella Sandsy ..although it's a crossover Cooper between Simons Thrusters and pre thrusters.

That one is a bit later. Mine was a swallow tail with fixed glass twin fins. Similar nose, but wider in the tail. Mmmm the memories.

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Macaha said..
Way back I would order my custom boards through a local store which no longer is in business.On one occassion I ordered a board which had a pin tail and spray on the rails only,it was a tiger strip spray.The owner of the store called me to say me board was in,I said how did it turn out?he said great if your into Balmain tigers. Thats didn't sound promising.I arrive to pick up my board and there it is,not only did they spray the rails they also sprayed the bottom and man it looked terrible,when I questioned to store they said oh we stuffed up but can you help us out and take it anyway,I knew these guys for a long time and I just couldn't it was shocking,a closer look after and I see my loop hole,its a squaretail so I said sorry no can do,a new board was ordered and the one above sat in the shop for about 6 months.

Hence why they are no longer in business???

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Sandsy1 said...
You guys are too young and missed all the fun.
Mid 70's and twinnies were just starting to get going, met a back yarder through a mate and he made me a 6'2" twin fin.
It was ****. Fins were almost parallel, no toe in, no outward rake, not wide enough apart. The rails were boxy, just didn't feel right under my arm. Rode in straight lines only.
Anyway, kept it for a year, gave it to one of the kids in the area learning to surf. Bit the bullet, went up to Coffs Harbour Jetty and got the best board of my life (wish I still had it) from Bob Cooper. Cost me about 3 weeks wages, but worth every cent.
Dark red twin fin. What a great board.

Anyone surfed one of these by NPJ? Looks similar to yr description of yr board from the 70s sandsy. Looks pretty extreme can't really picture how it would ride

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Surf69 said..

Macaha said..
Way back I would order my custom boards through a local store which no longer is in business.On one occassion I ordered a board which had a pin tail and spray on the rails only,it was a tiger strip spray.The owner of the store called me to say me board was in,I said how did it turn out?he said great if your into Balmain tigers. Thats didn't sound promising.I arrive to pick up my board and there it is,not only did they spray the rails they also sprayed the bottom and man it looked terrible,when I questioned to store they said oh we stuffed up but can you help us out and take it anyway,I knew these guys for a long time and I just couldn't it was shocking,a closer look after and I see my loop hole,its a squaretail so I said sorry no can do,a new board was ordered and the one above sat in the shop for about 6 months.

Hence why they are no longer in business???

Prob also the owner didn't want to know you unless you were buying something on the day and his son smoked too much sh-t.

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Ctngoodvibes said..

Sandsy1 said...
You guys are too young and missed all the fun.
Mid 70's and twinnies were just starting to get going, met a back yarder through a mate and he made me a 6'2" twin fin.
It was ****. Fins were almost parallel, no toe in, no outward rake, not wide enough apart. The rails were boxy, just didn't feel right under my arm. Rode in straight lines only.
Anyway, kept it for a year, gave it to one of the kids in the area learning to surf. Bit the bullet, went up to Coffs Harbour Jetty and got the best board of my life (wish I still had it) from Bob Cooper. Cost me about 3 weeks wages, but worth every cent.
Dark red twin fin. What a great board.

Anyone surfed one of these by NPJ? Looks similar to yr description of yr board from the 70s sandsy. Looks pretty extreme can't really picture how it would ride

Nope,, haven't ridden one but they look interesting..

http://www.swellnet.com/news/design-outline/2015/07/10/neal-purchase-junior-and-duo-interview-and-video

i had one a couple of years ago that came back the wrong colour...i lived with that ..it was suppose to be glassed heavy on the deck...Nah they forgot that.

after three waves the depressions were deep and everywhere...

took it back,copped the biggest crap off a story. Stupidly i kept the board and could get the next one for cost......

i got home and bitch slapped myself as i was never going to get another one even if he gave it to me for free...

So yes and no at once i guerss

^^^^was it a JS?

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Ctngoodvibes said..
^^^^was it a JS?

nah mate...well known goldy shaper,also known to have ripped a few people off with a few other cowboys that still operate today

and for such a vocal opponent for things slanty eyed...he is now bringing pop outs to sell as well

I know who you mean Chrispy. Wish I had also pulled the trigger and exited my one sooner.

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Ted the Kiwi said..
I know who you mean Chrispy. Wish I had also pulled the trigger and exited my one sooner.

Bro I never even made a board for Chrispy

Your board is great Tux - it's just in Indo and I am in Tassie