Hello i just saw on the Webber Surfboards site that he has a shape called “80’s”.
I was riding longboards for some time and now i ride a 6’6’’ x 11.75’’ x 20.25’’ x 14.75’’ x 2.625’’ Al Merrick Mongrel. The transition from the longboard was good and fast, and i feel now that i can surf something smaller (not too much).
I’m 6’ and 188 lbs and i’m used with bigger/thicker boards, but i want a little thruster on my quiver, is the best board for some waves and is the most versatile / most comfortable to do short travels.
The thing is that i was thinking about get a new Mongrel (6’4’’ x 20’’ x 2.5’') but the other day i saw a Webber and i really liked the shape, so i wander if any of you saw the Webber “80’s” and if you can give me some information about how is it compared to the Mongrel. Have any of you an idea of which numbers will work for me?
I do a lot of repair work for Weber, but never heard of an “80’s” shape. Didn’t see it on their website either. They have a couple of models that are updated 70’s shapes (Fastback, Feather Fastback) if those are the ones you mean. Contact Corey Weber: for info on these.
I’ve got a Webber 80’s model. I’ve never ridden a Merrick Mongrel but it looks to be based on the same concept - short, wide, flat rocker and more volume all round. Mine is 5’11"x18 3/4x 2 3/8 I’m 5’8" 66 kgs - Mine is probably a little too thick for me I’d go 2 1/4 if I was getting the same board again. Paddles and catches waves really well, fast in down the line waves, good for making sections, comes off the top ok. Very good backhand. Can handle size well.
Drawbacks - not great in hollow waves - fat rails are hard to sink when bottom turning and the wide tail means you tend to get squirted out of the pocket. I’ve had to develop a new technique for taking off in hollow beachies - take off at an angle with my arm in the face. Suited to a more powerful stlye of surfing circa 80’s Kong.
If you scale the dimensions of mine up to 6’4" you’d get 6’ 4" x 19 3/8 x 2 1/2. Make sure you get stiff fins with plenty of area.
Thanks! from what you say i think that both 80’s and Mongrel are based on the same concept, but seems as my Mongrel has thinner rails, my rails aren’t as the ones on a modern 2.25’’ thruster, but they aren’t so thick, most of the thickness is in the stringer section.
My Mongrel works OK with FCS AM fins, i tried Occy’s but they only work on bigger/hollow waves.
Does your Webber 80’s seem like my Mongrel (i show you a photo).
All I know is that the Weber “stay close to the soul” ad slogan is lame. There may be a “soul” to surfing, but whatever it is, it isn’t to be found in paying financial homage to the cult of personality.