Some thoughts for purchasing a great surfboard: most board designs fall into categories. The Harbour Surf Shop website www.harboursurfshop.com has a full complement of shapes with sizing charts to help select the right board. There is a description of what each shape specializes in. For example, this will help you better understand the different models from Tyler or Cooperfish. Their websites are not very informative, but are great to look at. What you can do is find the Tyler or Cooperfish you are interested in and compare it with one the Harbour models and look at the size chart to help select the appropriate size. But after you spend all that time checking out those Harbour surfboards, you will realize Rich Harbour and Tim Stamps will shape you a better board than the rest. Why? Because they will make sure the board is right for you style of surfing and your skill level. Harbour Surfboards’ quality is equal to the best.
…Rich is a very picking man and never settles for less than the best in his products.If there is a problem he will make it right!I know this because I have worked for him.He’s also a great person at heart. …Tim is a fine shaper and knows his way around the shaping bay.If quality is the mark,then Harbour is a good bet. …As far as Cooper and Tyler,Gene Cooper is in the same catagory as Harbour without a doubt.I seen nothing but the best from his craft,and I’ll bet every bit as picky as Rich.I don’t know a heck of alot about Tyler,But what I’ve seen is A-1. Herb
I’ve heard some good things about Harbour boards, and just the exact opposite too. I’ve heard of surfers religiously kneeling down to pray to the ol’ Harbour triangle logo; It’s just a logo man. But I’ve also heard surfers complain about delamination problems and other defects. It’s impossible to produce custom surfboards in quantity, and have a 100% quality & satisfaction record. Quality control is never perfect. Think about all of the steps that a board can fail at: The blank manufacturer, the shaper, the glasser, the sander, etc. Consider this too: Not everybody is going to like the same board manufacturer that you consider a “magic board” maker either. “You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”. It’s a good thing that there are so many custom shapers out there (small underground and big time) to give the surfing customer a choice, and create competition in the market.
I had a Harbour with an off-angle fin box. Surfed well though a little interesting. When Rich heard about it he asked for it back and sent out a board with a true finbox. I think he has since changed glassers. Board holds up pretty well even with a once weekly bashing on the rocks. I think the board prefers to be riderless on the best waves. Rob Olliges
Ghost riding… Halloween style
Ooo that does sound “Interesting” but not what you want to happen by mistake!!! Fire that glasser! Assymetrical fin placement is a concept i’d be into trying though! http://www.speedneedle.com.au