Here is one for the pros: I’m looking at a Clark catalog that shows an 8/06/02 date and it hit me, Why aren’t there any Merrick blanks in the catalog? I see Rusty, Harbour, Jones, Velzy, Rawson, Stewart etc… but no Merrick. Anyone know why? Thanks, Magoo
Here is one for the pros:>>> I’m looking at a Clark catalog that shows an 8/06/02 date and it hit me, > Why aren’t there any Merrick blanks in the catalog? I see Rusty, Harbour, > Jones, Velzy, Rawson, Stewart etc… but no Merrick.>>> Anyone know why?>>> Thanks,>>> Magoo That is a good question.Maybe its because there is no real difference between a Merrick,or a Rusty…they are just clones of each other.If you switched the logos it would be hard to tell the difference.What we need are more blanks that will work with fish and single fin egg type boards.(Just an opinion).
That is a good question.Maybe its because there is no real difference > between a Merrick,or a Rusty…they are just clones of each other.If you > switched the logos it would be hard to tell the difference.What we need > are more blanks that will work with fish and single fin egg type > boards.(Just an opinion). Roger, I appreciate your opinion. What do you think of Sullaway and Callahams’ 6’2"C for a fish? I used Stewarts’ 8’5"S for my first 6’8" ‘fish’ type and I have been having fun with it, but I want to make a 6’0" Lis type replica. Thanks, Magoo
I think the 7’ 3" is a good choice for a fish. Go with less tail rocker and you may be right in there.
Roger,>>> I appreciate your opinion.>>> What do you think of Sullaway and Callahams’ 6’2"C for a fish? I used > Stewarts’ 8’5"S for my first 6’8" ‘fish’ type and I have been > having fun with it, but I want to make a 6’0" Lis type replica.>>> Thanks,>>> Magoo I replicated a Lish fish last year and in order to get the flat rocker.3 inch thickness and thick tail I had to use an 8 foot Eaton blank (I cant remember the exact blank,I lost my catalog…it may have been a little longer).I have never used any of the blanks that you mentioned…the rocker and thickness didn’t jive for a true replica.I had an original Lish in my shop and duplicated it…sorry, I can’t remember the details but I measured the rocker in 6 inch increments and somehow ended up with the fat Eaton blank.It took a lot of work.Its hard to find retro thick flat rocker blanks in the Clark inventory but lets face it…there isn’t a huge demand for this old stuff.Groms rule the market and they are more into fancy logos and pro surfers standing poised in perfect Indo barrels.
Here is one for the pros:>>> I’m looking at a Clark catalog that shows an 8/06/02 date and it hit me, > Why aren’t there any Merrick blanks in the catalog? I see Rusty, Harbour, > Jones, Velzy, Rawson, Stewart etc… but no Merrick.>>> Anyone know why?>>> Thanks,>>> Magoo >>>>> Shaping plugs is a complicated and somewhat thankless job.You have to produce a blank that ideally is suited for not only your own wants and needs, but one that also appeals to other shapers. In addition you have to shape it as close to perfect as possible . Then you must have the plug glassed (cross your fingers that it does’nt twist in the glassing process) and have it accepted by the blank manufacturer. After all this you will still get a part out of the mold that is somewhat less than perfect( thats why we have planers). In addition, the designers that shape these blanks that we use are not paid by the blank manufacturers. If their plug is accepted and then put into production, the designer will receive a few blanks from the manufacturer in compensation. Which is to say they are not paid for their time and effort in $$$. Clark Foam produces more blanks, in an incredible array of shapes and sizes, not to mention any weight from Ultralight to Classic in the surfing world. They are shaped and designed by those who take the time and effort to bring us a great product 99.9% of the time. I have seen first hand the work involved in producing the blanks we have available to use today and my hat’s off to those that take the time to shape and design these blanks. Shapers such as Rennie Yater, Bill Stewart,Pat Rawson and especially Rick Hamon and Rusty are responsible indirectly for the highest levels in surfboard design performance today as we know it. ( not to mention the other designers that have contributed in their designs) . As to why you don’t see others (such as Merrick) I can only think they must be satisfied with what they have to work with. Regards, sk
Thanks for the great explanation. Your right on the money.
don’t forget the ocasional embarassment risk such as the 9-4R (rusty) there’s a real beauty! S.A.
don’t forget the ocasional embarassment risk such as the 9-4R (rusty) > there’s a real beauty! S.A. Really what is that 9’4"R all about? What was wrong with the 9’4B? Why would they make a blank plug so close as those two?
don’t forget the ocasional embarassment risk such as the 9-4R (rusty) > there’s a real beauty! S.A. Shawn, I like the resulting board I get from the 9’4"R, but its those two giagantic humps in each rail line that amaze me. But hell, that’s a standard issue with ALL the Rusty series of blanks.
Really what is that 9’4"R all about? What was wrong with the 9’4B? > Why would they make a blank plug so close as those two? Lou, the 9’4"B is what I used for doing the masters for the Surfboards Hawaii, Stylist I and II. You can glue it to almost any rocker without distortion of the flow.
don’t forget the ocasional embarassment risk such as the 9-4R (rusty) > there’s a real beauty! S.A. >>>>>> The 9’4"R does have its merits however Shawn, and it still makes a great big guy performance style longboard (as long as you clean up the deck line). I Know some hockey players that surf that could use the thickness available in this blank. See you in the water, sk
Dooohhh! STOOBLES - I didn’t know that professional fisherman monitored nerdy forums! Guess you guys never clued me in to the super secret rocker and deck line tricks required to blend in tail (maybe I just need longer arms). By the way you’ll be seeing me at a south wind spot near you this winter riding my 6-12 super fish. Doing my best to fend off the boiler- S.A.