I’m new to this forum it looks like this is a great place to get good information.
Looking to buy a new board and need some help. Been surfing in the Texas Gulf Coast 20 years, learned to surf on a shortboard. Moved inland after college in 1991, got the surfing bug really bad a couple of years ago, enough to by a new board. I’m 5’10 185lbs in good shape but not surf shape (surf 2 times a month). Been using a friends performance shortboard 6’2" thruster as you might guess the board did’nt float me very well. My problems were paddling and catching waves. But suprisingly, the waves I was able to catch on the board were like the old days: cutbacks, off the lips, 360s etc. then the paddle back out was very difficult.
I can afford only one board so it has to be a good one. Leaning toward epoxy for durability. Are the dimensions different in an epoxy than a regular surfboard?
What models, dimensions and shapes should I look at?
Thats awesome, I live in Houston and surf in Galveston and Madagorda. Its great that youre getting a board so you can start surfing some more. My freind and I are running a part time surfboard business Psychedelic Surfboards. We make/sell boards of all types and designs, as is our trademark psychedelic resin swirls. Anyway good luck on the search and if you’d be interested speaking to us about getting a board we can work something out. www.freewebs.com/psychedelicsurfboards
we do solid’s or resin swirls, longboards and shortboards, polyester and epoxy resins. - or see the site for the company email.
Hey, I know first hand about your situation…for epoxy, thickness and rail volume need to be decreased slightly compared to a pu/pe. For your weight, surf conditions and skill I’d recommend 6’2-6’4 about 2.4+ or so inches thick (epoxy)…width is a very personal thing and makes a big diff…18.5 to 19 for small waves.
Pic attached is my homemade 6’4 x 19 epoxy.
you may want to contact sfoam.com to find out who may be making epoxy boards in your area
If you are doing cutbacks and 360s on that board in mushy Texas slop, then you should easily be catching the waves on a 6’3" or whatever. Something doesn’t make sense here.
If that’s the case, try a 6’8" x 19" x 2 5/8 or something. Should be floaty enough to float you, and will still give you a bit of leeway to rip.
Your friend’s 6 2 - I’m guessing - 18 1/2" wide ish, 14 " tail? Let me know if I’m wrong. For someone your weight it sounds like you’re a little low on planing surface. If you’re surfing fairly weak/gutless waves, bump the length up to 6 4 - 6 6, increase tail width to 14 1/2, centre width to about 19 1/2. Keep your entry rocker moderate and your tail rocker fairly low.
If you’re catching at least a few waves on the performance 6 2, then you’ll catch many more waves on the bumped up design.
Alternatively … go fishing…
Epoxy is more durable and can be made lighter — this should mean that swing weight is reduced so a longer board can feel smaller …W=fXd physics 101.
here’s a board me and grobeyy made that has been very easy to catch gulf waves on - funky shape - 6’4" - round pin - fishy
I am 6 ft and about 145 pounds. Last monday i went to surf galveston in knee high mush crap - i was able to catch them and get some cuts in on them with a board thinner and a bit shorter than this one we made - turned out to be a pretty fun session
p.s. - im making a replica of this board for myself ---- – no one has
