I always thought Skip Frye longboards were similar to Phil Edwards longboards. With the exception of the tails, they actually are pretty close. From the middle forward, nearly identical. I liked the Brohm/Mabile fish comparison that was posted recently. Here’s my take on a couple of old school longboards…
Frye
length: 10’
width: 22 1/2"
nose: 16"
tail: 14"
thickness: 3 1/2"
rocker: 4 1/2" (N) 3 1/2" (T)
Edwards
length: 9’6"
width: 23"
nose: 15 3/4"
tail: 14"
thickness: 3 3/8"
rocker: 4 1/2" (N) 4" (T)
Both have 50/50 rails forward. Both have a bellied mid with soft 60/40 rails. Edwards put a soft 50/50 tail and a big blade fin. Frye put a much flatter panel vee in the tail and his signature fins are more of a rakish Greenough/Liddle style. I managed to distort the Edwards outline a little but it gives an idea.
Here’s a beautiful PE Hobie that belongs to a friend in Texas. 10/10, I’d say. And I know its 10’
The photos show the Phil with a nice Robert August with a lot of custom details. Looks like boards from Texas are kind of like used cars from Vegas - maybe a lot of miles, but no rust!
Now I know I’m getting a little off track…and the Phil tail is wonderful & all…but check out the green resin & light green high-density foam checkerboard work on the August tail! Combined with the black hd foam block & stringers…Wow…this must have been for a heck of a customer
