Picked this board up recently and eductating myself about Con - while I now know a bit about the company, I but not finding much about the Sundance model (most just the Ugly)
Couple of minor ding repairs I will be working on before I ride, so any info on board history or how I can expect the board to perform would be appreciated to occupy my mind while doing the grind.
Most likely 1972 vintage. Pretty unusual since it has a Guidance System fin and box, and a leash plug. Guidance had pretty much disappeared by the time leash plugs came along. They were only in business for about 2 years, at the most. Does the plug seem as though it was added, later? Doesn’t look that way in the pic.
ah, nice. that gives me a start. Plug looks original - the fin is actually a bit loose so I was going to fiddle with it but wasn’t sure how to expose the tightening mechanism, just a couple of tabs there hiding something I am guessing - your fin manufacturer clue should point me in the right direction though.
Thanks!
I might add…
Just finished up a very nice Con old school fish.
And it is an eye pop’r and is surfed.
The thing that stood out was the pinlines!
Mystro suprimo work!
IMHO…
Nice find, in good shape, enjoy!
Those fins were just a dovetail configuration. What you see there are channel caps. They pop out by prying them with a thin, flat blade screwdriver. Then, take a block of wood or the rubber handle end of a hammer and tap the fin FORWARD. It should come right out. Few Guidance equipped boards still have the fin, let alone the channel caps. Pretty rare these days.
Here is what the fin looks like, by itself.
Cool board! I’m no expert but I’m questioning the leash plug. I just finished a repair job on a Carl Hayward twin fin from about 1977. Orginal owner so I know the leash plug is not aftermarket… I have a friend with a G+S single very close to your shape with no plug but I don’t know the vintage…early 70’s…
Love to see more photos and comments on this board and when leash plugs came into the game…
Ray
As I’ve said before, the first board I got with a plug was in 1974 and at that time plugs were an option and not a standard thing on every board. I know that Guidance Fins only lasted about two years and no one used them after roughly 1972. This is why I think the plug on the Con was done by a pro when the board was already a couple of years old. The fin system dates the board to before plugs were used. Plugs were not around in 1972, to the best of my knowledge.
I think Bill T might have a better handle on the timeline of plugs.
In 1971 at Surf Systems, I started making deck mounted leash cups, out of PVC end caps and 1/4th in dia nylon rod. It was at least two years later that I saw the first ad’s for a retail leash cup in a magazine. I was only putting cups into my personal boards, or friends boards. I’m with Sammy, on the date of the subject surfboard. The fin, and channel caps, may be the most valuable thing about the board.
Thanks for confirming what I suspected, Bill.
I am pretty sure that leash plug was added when the board was at least a year old, and done by a pro. The board was built before plugs came along. There were no commercially available plugs in 1972.
Oh, as to your other question, Merman50.
You can expect the board to ride like an early 70s single fin with a diamond tail, which feels nothing like a thruster.
1972 was the only year they were made i. Believe
thanks for the replies and original ad Sammy! Came right apart per your instructions - pics below.
Fin looks to be made of plastic (not fiberglass) - any tips/concerns for maintenance on it?
Your fin is made of fiber filled Lexan. Keep it from baking in the sun, and you’ll be fine.
