I am wondering if Bill T, or anyone else, knows a bit about the number system used by Challenger in the mid 60s.
Saw a board online and the serial number looks like it has a B at the end. My guess is that Bill Bahne shaped it.
But, the owner asked about a T near the back of the fin. I think it’s just a mark for fin placement.
What say you all?
I think you are correct about the board being shaped by Bill Bahne. I believe the T may indicate that the glassing was done by Vince Turner, a San Diego area glasser.
EDIT: The letter B may also indicate that the shaping was done by Billy Caster.
Is that fin in a box? Or does it have a big base that was routed into the foam and glasses on?
or someone glass a fin in the box as a super “repair”
“B”for Bobby?? You’re probably right Bill, but there is the possibility it could have been Caster. Just depends on how old the board is.
Looks like a glass insert routed into the board, with the fin routed into it. Not my board, and I’ve never seen it in person.
Certainly not a repair.
Bill T may know more about the method used.
You are correct in your description. A similar method was used by G&S, to mount fins, in the Hynson Red Fin boards. Properly done, it’s quite a strong method to anchor a fin in a surfboard. Probably what inspired Bill Bahne to develop his original series of fin boxes.
