I just picked up the strangest vintage surfboard I have ever come across. Its a 9’ 6" Hannon “The Brute” model. Right in the middle of the deck is a deep saddle that runs all the way across the board. When I first saw the board I thought that it had to be damaged but I have since learned that it was made that way, an early concept of a “bender” surfboard. I also heard that only 300 of them were ever made so it must have not have been a great idea. If anyone has any additional info on this unique board, I sure would appreciate it if you would tell me about it. I’m sure curious how it would surf and may just have to take it out once and try it.
I recall seeing an article in Longboarder Magazine, not sure which issue, about step decks and featured a section about the board you have. It mentioned something about that saddle running across the front part of the board would enable it to flex when stepping up to the nose, decreasing the rocker. What I thought was most interesting about the board was that Hannon had trained an electrician from Germany who did’nt even surf, to shape those boards. I’ll see if i can locate that magazine.
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Can you post a picture? I would like to check her out.
[img_assist|nid=1042105|title=Hannon "The Brute" Surfboard|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=24|height=100] I’ve read that only 300 of these were made and they were pretty much all identical. Mine isn’t in near as good as condition as this one in the pic but not too bad for40 years or so old.
Thanks “Foamdust” for the info concerning the German electrician. I hadn’t read or heard that. Thats pretty interesting stuff. I did hear about the article in Longboarder magazine but I haven’t found out which issue it is yet. I’d sure like to get a copy of it, when I do. I did run across an article about “The Brute” in a book about vintage surfboards called “Surfboards” by Guy Motiff and I think it could be the same article as I think he had something to with Longboarder magazine.
Hi Foamdust, We know Hannon’s son and have done a number of restorations for him. He has a garage full of rarely used Hannon boards. The German electrician was actually the glasser and fin maker, and was at the Great Neck NY factory. This guy did a lot of nice colored glosscoat work. There are a great many Hannon models, some of which are very innovative. Txsurfbob, I’ll ask the brute model for you.
Have you ever seen an “I” Model? This one belongs to friend from NYC. Photos are from 7 years ago, and I don’t know where the board is today. Still had the original FU (vers. 1.0) fin.
We’ll contact Hannon and see what he knows about the Brute and “I” model. He’s always happy to hear about interest in his Dad’s work. He’s a San-O regular, but not involved in the business. I’ve seen that tail design on other Hannon’s, and my son says that he worked on a Brute model that was about 8 ft.
The logo on the ‘I’ model almost looks like a claw hammer to me.
Spoke with an old friend of John Hannon’s this morning about this thread and he’s going to try giving John a call in Colorado and alert him to it. Hopefully, we’ll get it straight from him. Being one of - if not THE - fathers of East Coast surfing and board building, he’s a treasure trove of information and history concerning both coasts.
Pete
Hey, I’m sure glad I started this thread about my “Brute”. You guys are really putting some great info on here about it and I sure appreciate it. I just got the board patched up and have it hanging on the wall over my computer. It is a strange looking board but a thing of beauty if you are a surfer. Does anyone know for sure when this model was shaped? I read one article that said 1968 and the serial number on the board is 68227, so I figured maybe it was shaped in '68 and number 227 of the 300 that were supposedly shaped. Anyway, thanks again to all you guys.
Talked briefly with James Hannon this morning, the “I” is just short for the “Islander” model. Around that time, there was another brand called “Islander” (Santa Barbara; we’ve got one) so they changed it to “I” model. James said he’d call me this weekend and discuss the two models in depth.
I can’t believe I just happen to google the hannon brute to see if anyone still has one. this was the first surfboard i ever bought - 1968 sounds right. freshman year in high school i bought the board from the hannon shop(1 bay garage) at gilgo beach, long island, ny. I also read the longboard magazine article, it covered flex nose noseriders, spoons, etc. it was just a mention of the fact 300 were made & had a picture of it. they were all yellow with black pin lines and i think they were all 9’6". I think the board was 25" wide with a 2" foam stringer between 2 thin wood stringers & they were all square tails with fairly thin rails. if you are in the new york/new jersey area I’d love to see it &/or ride one again. at 54 years old i’m on 9’ to 10’ longboards again, although I recently picked up an 8’ quad fin fish i’m going to try this year as my “short board”. anyway good luck with the brute
Hey, TXSURFBOB. I’ve got a good friend graduating from a grueling nursing program. She’s an avid surfer, and she knows Hannon’s daughter. I’d like to surprise her with a hand-made tide clock with a Hannon-esque logo, but can’t find anything on-line. Any chance you can post/send a photo of the logo on your Brute? Many thanks!
There’s a few on this page:
http://www.surfcrazy.com/stanleys/html/surflogoh.html
If you want a larger version of the Sixties Hannon logo, I can do a scan and post it here.
You are correct w/ the serial # - it was made in 68 and the other # is the production number, safe to assume.
Pete,
My name is Mark Hannon and I am a long time surfer from New Jersey. I have often wondered where the Hannon Surfboards family had relocated to, and would love to get in touch with them as we may actually be related. In addition, I collect surfboards and have a Hannon in my collection. I would greatly appreciate it if you were able to put me in contact with anyone in the Hannon family that you are in touch with. Thanks, and I hope you are having a great day.
Mark
James Hannon explained that the first two digits are the year it was made, but the following numbers are the count in the series produced - but reversed. So 6598 would mean that it was made in 1965, and it was 89th in the series.
Hi Mark, I forwarded your contact info to James Hannon today. He’s working with the Surf Heritage Museum in San Clemente, CA to add his Dad’s work. He’s got about 35 boards and the original catalogs. He also told me that there were a lot of copies made back in the day, but he says he can verify them by the serial number logs his Dad still has. Hannon worked with Hansen for a time, and that’s why there is a lot of West Coast look to the outlines.