Today I crawled outta bed after watching a hellish Superbowl. the Seahwaks got ripped off by what seemed to be a bunch of drunken zebra’s. Went outside to open the shop and in front of me was a box from marko foam. My sluggish start to the day was put to an end as I ripped the box open with excitement to inspect this new molded EPS blank. The blank was a 7’6 funboard in the 2lb density. Being the skeptical type, I thought I would run her through a few test’s The beads were fused extremely tight. It reminded me of a disposable kids surfboards you buy at an ABC store, or longs drugs. Compared to our block pulled 2lb EPS it was much more dense and was not nearly as spongy. The blank was molded with a little extra rim around the center of the rail. Looks as if they added that for protection or maybe thats just how they are molded. My vacuum test had pleasing results as there was no air being pulled through the blank, and I was surprised to see the stringer (1/8 poplar) glue up was executed very well. I measured out the rocker/foil to see what the possibilites were for the plug. I was pleasantly surprised that I could fit multiple fun/shortboards into the plug very well thought out and forgiving. I designed a funboard, stuck her in the machine and it came out absolutely stunning, what was even more spectacular was how it finish shaped. WAY BETTER! WAY FASTER! without all the tearing (holes) etc. It left a great finish. The Marko 2lb blank reminded me of a block 3.75 lb blank minus the weight. They even leave a little excess stringer for those DSD guys. At this point it seems as if I would not need to seal the blank. The finish seems plenty tight and in theory should mimic XPS foam qualities, without the outgassing drama. Hmmmmm wonder if they can color the stuff blue? We are super excited about the possibilities and as we have compaired it to our insulfoam block blanks. hands down the Molded Marko takes the cake. I can only imagine that it will ride equal if not better to the 2lb eps boards we have been building. The draw back is that they have few plugs to choose from at this time. We have been told they have many more in the works. Hope this info has been useful.
Cant wait to glass her up to see how she rides.
Three cheers for MARKO. We are stoked!!! more blanks in more densities please 