Still trying to decide on a new board for NJ beachbreak - 5’11", 175 lbs, early 40’s, good shape, intermediate ability. Somewhat narrowed down to the following:
Infinity Secret Weapon - What size btwn 8’0" to 8’6" or 9’0"? Is 3.75" too thick?
Infinity Rad Noserider w/ Cluster setup or single - What size btwn 9’0" to 9’6"?
Pearson Arrow hp modern LB - Which pro signature model: Mohr, Tanner or Moriaty in a 9’0" to 9’2"?
Foam - Clark SuperBlue, Supergreen or Classic foam?
A shaper I spoke with said that in his view the rocker on Clark blanks over 9’2" did not ride well for a hp LB. He advised not exceeding this length. He prefers thinner, foiled boards over a traditional, thicker style. Comments?
Side bites - Futures, O’Fish’l, RedX or Lokbox (If choice is available)?
Glassing - Dbl 6 oz or heavier Volan for durability?
It looks like you are ordering a custom, so I’d go ahead and talk to Bob Pearson or Steve Boehne about what they feel is best. In steep beachbreak, noseriding is usually not such a priority, so a lighter, shorter, more foiled board would be the ticket. Superblue foam, 6oz glass, and a 2+1 fin setups are the call for a more performance board, and I would go as short as you possibly can, especially since wave-catching tends to be easier than on mushy waves. I’ve never ridden an infinity, but Steve is a cool guy, a class act, and very into his customer’s satisfaction.
On another note, why not trust your local shaper to come up with something equally rad?
Well I have to say Pearson makes some killer boards and so does infinity. They make great boards all around. However for the conditions that we have in Jersey going with the local shaper might not be a bad idea. Theres 2 guys who shape “Quality” longboard well actually 3 now that I think as I am typing. First off Paul Baymour from Fly surfboard makes all boards out of Epoxy. Boards are super light and durable. I myself have a killer classic shape from him. He has tons of old templates as well as new stuff. He can make killer shapes and even do some retro art and even crazy shaping. He just made a 9’2 I believe with a step deck and a flex tail I think it was. The shape was unreal! Theres another guy Tommy Eden. He makes Cosmic Bull boards. I’ve seen some fair shapes from him. He does some nice boards with wood work and all on it. He can do polyester or Epoxy as well. Now the 3rd guy is a guy named Brian Wynn. I haven’t seen anything rescent from him but whenever I saw a board from him it was killer. He is a great glasser and just moved back here from Cali. When it comes down to it I put it this way. I wouldn’t custom a Pearson or even a Infinity. The boards they shape will work killer and thats that. If you are picky and know what you want just search around. You will wait ages for a Pearson heck I waited 6 months one time! If you want a custom shape for Jersey try the local talent cause they are really skilled and underrated in my thoughts. you can see Flys at Wavejammer along with Pearsons. You can see cosmic bulls at Aloha Grove or at Rics Aloha Classics
3.75 is too thick, especially the way most Infinity 60/40 rails go. Most of their store stock is 3.50 thick in the 9ft range. Have rode both Infinity models: The secret weapon is better suited for faster waves, and the rad noserider will noseride well, but paddles way too slow. The cluster fin setup also works better in faster waves, but get 2+1 boxes so you change it if you don’t like it. Rather than buy a particular model, just call Steve at Infinity and tell him what you want it for.
Email me privately and I can give you Fly’s. Brian Wynn I believe is in ESM with adds or Surf News so you can probally get it there. Email teamredsand@aol.com
Paul is a good guy to go to for local shapes in NJ, I got him to shape me a Wayne Lynch type “double ender” single fin after he told me about the one he had shaped for himself. He did a great job and did a resin tint (red on the bottom and yellow on the deck with a black resin pinline). My board was polyester but Paul’s epoxy shpaes are very light and strong. So Paul can do both ends of the spectrum, new school to retro, and he does it well. He should be shaping like mad right about now to fill his summer orders, so you should be able to catch him at the factory.
My cousin brought an infinity secret weapon 8’6, 3.5 or maybe 3.75, on a trip we took together to Mexico recently. Nice board but very thick bulky. (He is 5’9, about 185)You may well not need that much float - it could float an elephant.
You will definitely catch every wave on that thing. Me, I’d rec 3 inches thick or slightly less for what you have in mind.