Hi,
Im 105 kg and 39 years old and have been surfing for about 15 years on and off.
I surf longboards and shortboards though recently have been on the longboard because of the very small and crap conditions here in Perth. A recent trip down south taught me the value of a good short board and I missed a couple of good sessions at a well known break because it didnt suit a 9'8 mal. my crew got heaps of rippers on their shortboards and they are average like me:)
I know this topic has been done to death but I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with big guy shortboards? i've been looking around a bit and there are a few like the CI M13 from Channel Islands and some from the guys and Base Surfboards like the Simon Anderson Big Boy and Mollusc Robo. any thoughts/ideas much appreciated

Hi Ados,
On the East Coast here Grant Miller does a couple of different types of shortboards that work great for the bigger fella. I have attached the link to the Miller Surfboards website so check out the V-Skate or WaterSkate. A while back I had a custom 6'4 V-Skate and then I was 95kgs and it floated and paddled easy. I have a few mates who have also had the Miller boards and all they all loved them. They will ship to WA too.

www.grantmillersurfboards.com.au/

heya Dazza,

I contact Grant and he is a super good bloke with heaps of advice. He is a bit expensive but I have heard great things. Unfortunately he is finishing shaping in May 2011 and wont be cranking it up again until 2012.

Cheers

G'day,

I am 44yo 112kg 5'11" and surf a 7'3" 7S SuperFish Quad in local Perth conditions and love it. It's 3" thick in the guts but has bevelled rails. It has more float and paddle than my former 7'6" mini-mal which I loved... and it's fast.

Whilst they get bagged by some, you'll see a few out in the break and if you ask the rider for feedback generally it'll be good.

If I snapped it (highly unlikely) I would be looking to buy another - perhaps checking out the Epoxy version.

I only get my 9.1 out when it's 1ft...(smaller than waist high) cause I like the 7S better.

62Mac is on Holidays !

But a McTavish would also suit. I'm only about 88kegs and 6'0, 37 years. But I like the slightly bigger boards. Try the BobSled. Or go custom. If you are going to reserve it for bigger waves, try the G2 Gun, custom. Or ask about the Dream Machine, Rincon '68 Model. It's not really an official model. But is built for bigger waves.

Firewire does a few big fat things too.

This is 7'10 x 20"1/2 x 3", even though it says 21". You could still go 7'10, and just ask for slightly fuller volume on the rails and nose. Push the width out to 21"1/4 or 21"1/2. THEY ARE NOT MINI MALS either. Significantly different in template and rocker.....

Or this.

You could scale this back to 7'10, and drop on a Rounded Diamond Tail.... Flatish rocker, full rails in the chest, wide point just forward of centre, for front foot surfers.

Nice boards. Reckon they might be a bit hard to duck dive and get out the back on a biggish day though they would be good boards for smaller days. Craftsmanship looks superb.

I reckon between 7'0 and 7'2 might be a better length for those bigger days when duck diving is essential. maybe something like 7'2 x 20 1/2 x 2 7/8 with a squash or rounded pin, medium rails and a simple V in the tail. The rails should carry a bit of foam but a little but lower for easier turning and more importantly, foam should be under the chest and carried into the tail for good flotation and paddling.

Ados,
Ring up McTavish with those directions, and you'll have a board on your doorstep in about 4 weeks.

Cheers Simon,
now to convince the Missus to release the funds. by the time that happens, Grant Miller will be back from holidays :)

Ado

I have had 2 Miller Boards and can highly recommend. (not much help if he is on holidays though)

Select to expand quote

Simondo said...

Ados,
Ring up McTavish with those directions, and you'll have a board on your doorstep in about 4 weeks.

Simmo you grom more picks of quiver please jeez that triple stringer is nice!!

Ados I've had 5 boards off Grant Miller and they have all been really good. The glass jobs are good as well. His boards aren't cheap but you get what you pay for.
Heres afew.

Cheers SMH.
I've actually got in touch with the blokes at Base Surfboards and have had a look at the Murray Bourton 'Fat Bullet' and Simon Anderson's scaled up 'Mollusc Robo'.
the guys there are really helpful and the prices are pretty good to.
Has anyone had any experience of these boards?
was thinking of one of these in a 7'0 or 7'2.

Cheers

Ado

Theres a 6'8 on gumtree (perth) for 650 if ur strapped on cash =) looks in pretty good condition too aye.

You should also look at the McCoy Nugget. www.mccoysurfboards.com

I'm 5'8" 88kgs and have a 6'8" x 21" x 3 1/8" Nugget. Lots of volume in the tail and will catch anything from 1ft up.
Easy to duck dive too seeing as I'm a fat b*stard.