I wonder how many people here first ran across Steve Pirsch’s thread or website or whatever it is when they first went looking (and ended up here), and did it help, and what would you suggest as edits in or out if you could?
http://www.surfersteve.com/introduction.htm
It helped me, Steve, wherever you are, in ways tangible and intangible.
This is a tribute thread. Thank you.
greg
I must have read and re-read that how-to 10 times before I did my first board…Im pretty sure thats how I found this place.
it helped quite a bit but reading all that didnt do too much for me until I had the stuff in front of me and used it; that said my first board wasn’t such a triumph in the glassing dept., but I figured it out after a harsh learning curve laminating the bottom side…then I hotcoated the whole thing with lam resin…that worked out well too!
reading helped a lot but doing was the biggest help of all; a million thanks to steve and his site!
I did…He gave me the courage to try it (with marginal success but not Steve’s fault, I didn’t take his advice). I read constantly to see if anyone has tried his shape recommendations ( 8’, fat, thick)
one of my all time favorites is 8’ x 23 x 3 1/8"
fat and thick nose to tail, its magic 
I read and learned from that before coming to sways at the suggestion of an other friend who shaped a few boards
oh how bouot O.B pattersons book and chapter on how to make your own?
or steve shaw’s trans cendental press surfboard yearbook?
//
…ambrose…
skimmed em
after the fact
and enjoyed the
exposure to additional methodology.
never saw the steve pirsch book
where was he coming from?
year and location?
Built my first based on Steve’s web site, he also answered my emailed questions to him.
Cheers and Thanks to Steve!
Gary
I came across that site sometime in the last couple of years. I think the whole thing is littered with nonsense. While I don’t have the time or inclination to list specifics, I’ll just quote his thoughts on “optimum” board design. Take a good look at the numbers, and tell me if this guy is credible, in any way.
"
We believe we have created a design that turns easily at low speeds, creating very little drag in the turn. This board catches waves like a long - longboard, but is 2’ - 3’ shorter, and turns easily twice as fast.
This design is 7’ - 8’ long, and 3" - 4" thick, (depends on surfers weight) with about 2/3 of the total thickness available 1’ from the nose and tail. It is 14" - 16" wide at the outside tips of the rounded fish tail. The tail 1’ from the end is 20&3/4" - 21&1/2". The nose 1’ from the end is 20" - 20&3/4". The center width is 25" - 26". The nose rocker is 5". The tail rocker is 1&1/2". The twin fins are molded 7" cutaways (actual dimension - 7&!/2") cut down to 6&1/2". The fin box is a 7&1/2" Fins Unlimited type (with this box the fins can be adjusted to a maximum of 13&1/2" - from the tail end of the board to the trailing fin edge). The board turns much looser with the fins all the way towards the nose. The bottom and top are very flat rail to rail. The rails are almost perfectly round everywhere (much better for choppy conditions). I also have two experimental boards: 7’6" x 28", and 7’ x 30", with nose and tail measurements similar to the above mentioned boards. "
He is credible in ways.
Nice contribution.
edit: BY THAT QUOTE I JUST REALIZED I ACTUALLY KNOW THIS GUY AND HAVE SURFED AND TALKED WITH HIM SEVERAL TIMES AT SURFSIDE, TX OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS – HE IS SUPER NICE, AND CATCHES AND RIDES TONS OF THE CRAPPY WAVES AROUND HERE WITH HIS PRETTY WIFE OR GF AND THEY HAVE A BLAST BY THE LOOKS OF IT –
the cutaway fins allow him to turn those boards pretty flat
nice guy – duh, I only knew him as Steve before – good man
his designs are not for everyone obviously but his site is a very cool public service
the world is a better place.
does he know Ken Bradshaw?
Fabulous.
surfin texas,lots o’ waves
tanks janklow.
…ambrose…
and rrrr the revolution goes round and round
20’’ wide double ender
with optimum fins cut down
done there been that
back when I was greater than I am now.
my wife was pretty too.
now she is beautiful
she’s still asleep.
what does he say about a 14’8’’ wide
optimum template…
dont tell me let me guess.
I think I found swaylocks from the links off of his page.
I have to correct my mistake. I found steve’s site and swaylocks off of Anthony’s board building site.
I’ve sen this guy and his crew out at Surfside, They can take off on just about any ripple that rolls through and look like they are having a blast.
This is the discussion that I have been hoping for. I’m sold; I’m going to build one.
Thanks to all…Thanks Steve
I get alot from surfersteve site, great contribution.
I read that and the Parmenter one thoroughly several times… and remember www.anthwind.com? That was one of the first ones I saw with board design info. Personally, my first board was a Harbour Transitional that was badly damaged so I reshaped it… then bought the “Surfboard” book with the Green cover by Steven Shaw, and bought all the templates that were offered. That was my start… Oh, and that Cheesey VHS “How To Build A Surfboard” by “CB” Charlie Baldwin… those got me going back in day…
Steve’s site is so informative.
I would recommend it as required reading before anyone attempts building one of their own. Some of his tips are priceless… riding every board you can before trying to design your own, sanding too little is better than sanding too much, using more resin than Greg Loehr recommends, etc.
The small wave design already mentioned should be one of the boards ridden before trying to design your own. It is out of the box but a completely valid principle.
Thanks Steve!
all that and more were on my project thingamajig I did a couple years ago
if you have the CD check it out if not look up the posting
lots of good stuff on the web
nice to have an index of it all