synsies1000 said..
I find my boards only last 6-8 months due to heel dents (front foot) and tail squash (from top part of foot) before it dents/cracks then snaps. Tried placing carbon weaving, heavier glassing and different types of epoxy boards to try and make them last longer but usually there dead before 12 months is out. Is there a way of making boards last longer without getting a heavier glassing job done? like a laminate film to keep it light but keep the deck stronger?

Yes get a bamboo laminated board like this one. Its over 12months old. No sign of any deck sinkage what so ever

not always the popular option but epoxy is the way to go ,polyester feels better under your feet but my last epoxy ( a Rusty) lasted over 4 years and that was with smashing it as kitesurfing board

BennyB12 said..
If your getting your boards machine shaped there's a good chance their taking too much off the crust of the blank into the marshmallow centre.... You can have all the glass you want but if the blank is soft then the blank is soft...

+ 1 - taking too much off the top is a big issue.

Good eps foam and a great compsand construction job will sort you out. Have a look at some of the guys who have this process sorted - their boards last a very long time. I have not seen any Katana boards over a long period of time - but have heard good things about them. I have personally seen lots of JDs that are 3 to 4 years old and in great shape despite getting a good pounding. My neighbour has a Sunova board (also from your neck of the woods) - still looks like when he brought it second hand 3 yrs ago and he rides it most weekends 2 or 3 times. I have had several firewires over the last 4 to 5 years - FST construction only I would recommend - and they been fantastic performers. You pay more but they really do last.

I ride Katanas, have never put my feet through the deck, have never snapped one... I have put my knee through the deck due to shallow bank and scarborough backwash!!!!!

thanks guys ^^^
ive been playing round with some new laminating methods and epoxy resins and getting good results especially with the bamboo ive found it has the most consistent flex so far