Hi there,

I have just signed up as I am desperately searching for a good freestanding surfboard rack that's available on the market as I can't drill into walls because we are renting. All the ones that I could find are pretty ugly (pine pieces) put together. As we have a small apartment, the boards will kind of be on display so I need something that looks a bit nicer.. not afraid to pay a bit more for this.. Does anyone know of anything out there that would help?

Thanks in advance,

Check out the finger grip racks mate, usually advertise in the back pages of a surf mag, or google finger grip.

If your handy on the tools just make it yourself. I made one (but I can drill holes in wall), it all depends on how you want to display them.

I would go for a frame where you can see the decks and the boards are horizontal, rather than putting then up vertical. Also depends on how many boards you have you could almost make one that goes from the floor to the ceiling (but you also have to think about getting it out of the rental).

My rack is vertical due to space and it's pretty simple. Pine is easy and you stain it to look like jarrah if you please.

Or you just ask to see it can drill holes, you never know.

I built one myself that I use in my apartment. I made it from pine that I stained to look like a hardwood. It's come up looking quite nice and doesn't take up too much room.

Pm me your email address if you like and ill send through a copy of the plans

I have been searching a bit more after your feedback today and I am narrowing it down to two choices (more because I like the look than anything else) I am not handy on the tools and (being honest) want a board rack that has a bit of shape instead of just timber lengths cut and joined together as its on display in the apartment. I have six boards...

one is:
solidracks.com/location/surf-culture-bondi/?product_id=62

and the other is:
cactusrack.com.au/products/el-jefe-6-surfboard-rack-option

Has anyone had any experience with either? if not, which one do you think would be better..?

Appreciate your feedback so far

Hey mate,

They both look great but to me they are highly over priced for what they do, Mate even a basic carpenter could whip up something that looks good for a quarter of the price. Have an ask around your local beach of pub im sure someone will be able to sort you out!

Now for something completely different...
Old seat belt strapping (ask a wreckers -they gave me all I could handle) one piece screwed through the ceiling into the rafters on both ends, the other screwed on on side and hooked onto a screwhook on the other. Simply place boards onto/into the double screwed strap nose first (deck down is best), and hook the other bit under the tail. Works anywhere, keeps your boards out of the way and still displays them. You can double up if limited for space.
Landlords rarely check ceilings, anyway, deny knowledge if you are too slack to no-more-gaps the holes when you leave.

WWW.SOLIDRACKS.COM here, our SOLID Freestanding Display Rack is our most iconic product which was shortlisted in the International Design Awards. They are made by hand in our factory in Brookvale, Australia and are extremely strong, stable and sculptural.

The 6mm clear anodised side rail supports are specially curved by us to create elasticity for optimal grip and safety and the "hands" that grab the rails contain a special replaceable foam insert that protects your precious board.

The feet supports slide up into the rack base and these feet/rails can be made longer if you want to add or store more boards. There is also a thick foam tail pad that is rebated into the rack base which has a routered channel to support, protect and immobilise the tail.

We supply these racks to the ASP, Hurley, Quiksilver, Billabong, Surfection, Collectors, Trade Shows, Surboard Manufacturers and of course, Surfers and enthusiasts. We are proud to say that we have not had a single return of any of our products in 5 years!

Click this link to see our range of SOLID Freestanding Display Racks:
http://www.solidracks.com/all-products?filter_attribute_30=e38376d4c6a1cfedf64025814bd78a32_8e57e81ba8586189c7eafd911cc87a89_9f6f4526602203a6eb8b3b5658c23803_5a840843a1b468d73415f3d53ae4d013&filter_attribute_31=c35fab4265a936b7e2c5438210a07374

Click this video link which demonstrates their versatility:
www.solidracks.com/vertical-displays-installation.html

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stripey said...
Hey mate,

They both look great but to me they are highly over priced for what they do, Mate even a basic carpenter could whip up something that looks good for a quarter of the price. Have an ask around your local beach of pub im sure someone will be able to sort you out!

+1 that cactus rack could easy be done, trip to bunnings for some 6mm ply, a jigsaw, some light threaded rod and poly pipe you'll be good to go for <$50.

A few bucks and some time and you'l make one easy.

I had one i made for inside. But the wife got sick of me dragging in and out of the house. To be honest i was sick of the kids hitting them into walls as well so they got moved outside about a week ago.

Just wanted to show my handy work

What's in the pink drawstring bag? Oldschool board?

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SP said...
If yu want ones that look like furniture try

http://www.byronbayboardracks.com/

Hi there,

Thanks for the link. I had already checked these out in my research and felt that the cactusrack and solidrack would fit a bit better to what I was looking for. These seem a bit cut and stuck together for my liking...

Nice work jbshack.

I just wish I had a nook like this I could use!

Hi Jim,

Thank you for considering our product. We are pretty excited about the response we are getting from it.

The Solidracks system is nicely designed and has an excellent reputation within the surf industry.

Both products are very different, so it depends what you are after. Without making this too much of a commercial spiel and to keep it brief, our main features are:

Modular: You can add or subtract storage for boards at any time

Freestanding: You can move this in and out of your apartment at any time (and into other low traffic areas if the kids start knocking it about) Also, no drilling into walls.

Handmade from bamboo: We think this material looks great and adds to the high-end furniture finish it sounds like you are after. It is also a sustainably grown material and won't yellow over time.

Quality materials: From stainless steel fasteners to the bamboo ply, our product is made to last.

All of our products come flat packed with instructions and can be assembled using an Allen key (Ikea style)

Yes, it is also possible to make something similar out of cheaper materials as well and you can get some high-end marine plys or waterproof polymers. Our product was developed for people that are time poor and possibly do not have the access to the resources needed to construct something like this. We also hope that it looks that good that people would really want to buy it!

Best of luck with your decision. If you do decide to make one, please post a photo!

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surferstu said...
What's in the pink drawstring bag? Oldschool board?

Yeah its maybe 23 years old. It was a custom light weight board made by Rusty for a surf shop owner (Power House in Bicton) that i grabbed the day it was delivered to his shop. I loved it so much could never bring myself to part with it. Bit beat up as it was super light weight. My son now has his eye on it and eventually he will inherit it

I love my new storage area. Best thing is even the kids can load and unload them saving me a bit of time in mornings. Also all the bars pop out so i can walk straight through if needed to

good topic, im in the same boat too. I live in a tiny unit, mine's all hanging off a bike rack at the moment! not a bad idea getting something to show the boards off

the cactus rack looks pretty cool actually, a bit like a wave.

Thanks for the input from everyone.. There were heaps of great ideas.

After mulling over this for a few days and considering making one vs. buying and speaking to a few mates.. I have decided to buy the cactus.

The price is a little hefty, but I just really like how it looks and the bamboo wood. I really like that clear fin thing on the base as well and figured this would be really hard to replicate? I also like the idea of being able to add extra slots when the little groms have their own boards in a few years. I will have to wait till it gets here to see, but was thinking as well the top of the wood shape would be a good hanger spot for wet suits and towels in-between sessions maybe... Or maybe I am trying to justify spending the cash :)

Will let you know how I go with it!

Does look good, Im going to have a crack at making my own Cactus rack on my next R&R, I'll Get a photo up once im done.

Hi all,

Just a quick update. Finally had some time to take some pics of the Cactus rack. It arrived on Thursday and pretty easy to put together.. I think 15 minutes and an Allen key later I was done.

Anyway as I said, here are some pics of the final result. Hope this helps anyone else in the same boat!

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JimT said...
Hi all,

Just a quick update. Finally had some time to take some pics of the Cactus rack. It arrived on Thursday and pretty easy to put together.. I think 15 minutes and an Allen key later I was done.

Anyway as I said, here are some pics of the final result. Hope this helps anyone else in the same boat!

Looks amazing

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Looks amazing

Cheers. Now I just need to upgrade my furniture! haha

I found this coffee table on the weekend for the kids room..

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jbshack said...




I found this coffee table on the weekend for the kids room..

Where from?!! I want one

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Boothie88 said...
Where from?!! I want one

I picked it up second hand from a Gumtree. It is a piece of furniture not a actuall surfboard. Heavy as hell but super cool

I was put on a promise though under no circumstance am i to ever try and surf it, especially when drinking But i reckon it would handle my weight no worries

I thought this was a good idea. looks cheap simply and effective.

Whoops Hope this works

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beastsurf said...

Whoops Hope this works

Nice result. Quick question, how is the bamboo held up? is it fixed to the wall?

I'M not sure. I got t picture from another site. I suppose you bolt it between walls or make a couple of small columns or T sections coming of the wall. I wish it was my rack. A couple of nice lookin old shooters there.

Note the fishing line holding the noses in check.

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Buster fin said...
Note the fishing line holding the noses in check.

Ha! didnt see that before.

Simple solution, but as we are renting I didn't want to go drilling into walls (our walls are rendered brick)

My other concern was (not sure if this is legit or not) but will leaning against the wall like that tend to take some "spring" out of the boards after a while? I think its called "creep" , but my physics is VERY rusty :) I guess its a showoff vs. daily rider usage of the rack is what we are comparing..

Your right though, couple of nice looking boards!

I might have a go at making something myself :)