This just came my way - it’s a 9’8" Hansen master from about '67 or
'68. The fin isn’t original but it’s a nicer Juan World reproduction
installed nicely. See pics below.
I’m just curious as to what anyone would know about this model board.
All I can say is it’s narrow (22.25" by my measurement) and thin - I
don’t think it’s over 3" thick. I imagine it would be happiest in chest
plus longboard waves.
It rides very well (like most old Hansens in my opinion), it’s
watertight, and had wax on it, so I couldnt help myself & took it
out in clean thigh hi’s yesterday.
Anyone know anything about it? the shaper? design concept? etc.? I tried looking for a serial number - it must be under some wax if there is one.
Is it a good board? a dog? did I get rooked for $375?
Thanks so much - it’s flat as Hell in the Bay State, but we’re getting amped for Igor up here.
nice board!. definately worth the money in my opinion. look like it’s from hansens cardiff before the move to encinitas, juding by the fact the letters are round and the blue board has a bend in it . my father has a doyle model that has the same fin. does it have any vee? i also have an old 50/50 with a pintail. i always have enjoyed the way they ride. the doyle is really thin and super flat, and actually was to my knowledge the only one that was made over nine foot. it was a prototype and because my father was always hanging around the shop they sold it to him. but when it went into production i believe it was made just over eight foot. enjoy the ride looks like a fun one.
Look on the deck side, near the tail, and post the board number and any letters or symbols you find. That will pin down the shaper, and give some idea of the year.
Yep, I'm guilty of shaping that board. Given the dimensions, it was most likely a custom order, as opposed to an inventory board. You are on target as to date. Late 67, or early 68, is my best guess. It's amazing to me that there are surfboards that have survived forty plus years, and are still in use.
my 50/50 is probably around 68’ and i ride the thing all the time. aside from a few stress cracks it’s in great condition. it’s funny though my father always tells me " those boards weren’t made to last forty+ years, you should be stoked if your board last a couple years". regardless of how long my boards last i always wanna shape a new one by the next year. in my opinion i’d rather surf a 40 year old hansen than a new one.
The minute I saw the pic. I knew it was one of yours, as it is the exact same outline as the one I own. Alot of boards made in the '60's aren't that good of riders. Yours certainly are. They are a testament to your abilities as a shaper in that their design is still relevent today. Not only that but but there is plenty an aspiring shaper can learn from the over all design. One thing that is misleading about today's "retro" longboards is that they have to be at least twenty three inches width. The obsession with a length of ten foot or better is another. The average longboard of the day was under 23" and several inches less than 10'0".
Thank you for your very kind and generous words. It's always nice to get some praise, for something well done. As I had stated above, I'm amazed that some of the boards of that era are still around, and still being enjoyed in the surf. A strong testiment to the quality materials in use at that time.
