I just aquired a Hansen 6’ 10" 50/50 competition stage with the serial # 23183 and could use some help dating it. The guy i got it off of says he was surfing it in 1969 but isn’t exactly sure.
To add some info: the sticker is very small and on the underside of the nose. It onlys says “by Hansen” which means it was made after the surfshop moved from Cardiff. I read on the net that the surfshop moved in 1967 but when I called Hanse they told me the shop moved around 1970 which contradicts what the seller told me about the age of the board. It has a hole for the Wonderbolt fin system but no bolt or fin. I would greatly like to replace it with a dated orginal (I want to restore ithe board ) but I know that will be tough. Anyone with one for sale please contact me. I’m hoping it is one the earliest short boards made by Hansen. It must be a full production board due to the 50/ 50 and competition stage stickers. There are no markings on either side of the serial # which I understand would indicate who the shaper was. It basically looks like a short longboard. I’ll post some photos when I get it cleaned up. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
What is the EXACT number on the board, including any symbols or letters? The fin system IS NOT the ‘‘wonder bolt’’ system. It is a system unique to the Hansen company, and later abandoned for the FU system. Look closley on both sides of the number again. and see if there is a small dot. Sometimes the ink fades with time , and is hard to see. If they are there, the board was shaped by Buzzy Smole.
The exact number is in my original post ( # 23183 ) and that is how it appears, with the number symbol # first. There are no dots or other markings. The length is written on the opposite side of the stringer as 6 . 10 with the dot slightly higher in between the 6 and the 10. I appreciate the correction on the fin system. A guy I work with told me it was a wonderbolt system. He has been shaping boards for WRV ( wave riding vehicles ) in Va. Beach for 40 years. I will be sure and let him know. Thanks
Thrailkill is correct. The “wonderbolt” system was exclusive to the Weber label, only. It was a set screw at the back of the fin base. Late 60s Hansens used a proprietary fin system much like the original Hobie system. A bolt went through the deck and the fin had a female thread placed vertically through the base. A 6’10" is pretty short for a board with a 50/50 lam on it. Given that and the fin type, 1969 sounds just about right.
Try www.oneworldsurf.com for a replica fin. It won’t be cheap.