Believe it or not I found this board at the dump. The pictures belie its real condition, it was pretty rough. I knew it was a collector’s item but this was before the retro mania hit its current level. I didn’t think I could ride it at 6’ and 185 pounds and since it was not watertight I never gave it a go and sold it. Of course, now I am kicking myself. So my question is what is the true vintage of this board and what type of waves do you think it was for? I don’t know the timeline for when leash plugs came about, or if the plug was even original. With the tail configuration I’m guessing it was meant for juicier waves.
I’m looking for a summer shaping project and thought a replica might be a fun board to make for my third attempt.
I find this shape very deceiving for a Ben AIPA: either it’s the photo or the outline curve is quite uneven and with a harsh break at the wide point. Maybe vintage but not worth keeping, IMHO. Every shaper may have a bad day…
The logo was a lam, definitely not a sticker so I’m pretty sure it was authentic. Don’t remember at this point what signature was on it (if any), and I only have these photos. Don’t care too much now since I sold it 4 years ago. But all the interest in retro shapes got me to thinking about the board again.
Funny, I noticed that bump in the outline too upon seeing these pics again but didn’t really notice it the first time around.
… that bump in the outline is an oscilating point…made by a handful of shapers in the early 80s thru the 90s…and smaller few… even earlier.
…I know they look tweeked…but ride one then get back to me…and,oh…update the general design/shape…You’ll find yourself laughing at yourself.
Yeah Herb, I was going to say, it’s like a very subtle Velzy / Jacobs 422 model - a very forward “wing”. Not sure what you mean by “update the general design/shape…You’ll find yourself laughing at yourself.” I was thinking of copying it but making the tail a bit fuller, and lose the deep concave. Or maybe I should just make a fish!
We were surfing those concaved twins in town around '79, most had an airbrushed stripe down the middle around 6" wide, between my brothers and I we probably went thru 5 or 6 of those boards. A few new, a few seconds, swallows and pins…whatever Pops would bring home from Ben’s shop.
We really felt that they were the best twin fins around at the time, the others felt stiff in comparison, great boards. Great find!
What I meant was…if thisa works howsa come it ain’t ona my dirt farm???
…The early thrusters had wings or bumps…now days and for the last 10 years?..this oscillating point has replaced it’s predecessor…re-think…re-invent…re-experience…
…take a close look at some thrusters w/ this in mind.
…ah heck…it’s the town posse…goina kill me some pigs…right now…git back at you later…
Herb, I am not saying that this forward pivot point was not MEANT to be, nor that the design didn’t work (who am I to say such things?) but only that it’s AWFUL… at first sight.
Now, maybe you can get used to it. But since almost any design works, I, PERSONALLY, prefer boards with a fluid and natural curve. I didn’t like bumps in early thrusters, either. Wings, yes. Bumps, no. Both work, but one is satisfying to look at, not the other. Again, personal opinion. Nothing to do with the validity (or lack of) of the design.
I see Ben kinda often if waves are good… I’ll ask him about it… Under his logo it says Surfings New Image and the radical bottom tail shape will be easy for him to recall… He likes to talk design stuff and can remember stuff like that… I’m not certain he could give a value but I’m almost positive he could give when, why, etc, etc…
OK, saw Ben this morning at perfect, small Laniakea… He told me that board was made between 79 and 82… He called that tail his Keel… He wanted more drive out of the Twin Fin so he experimented with that keel… He went on to tell me stories of MR and Martin Potter when they were heavily into twin fins etc… Even MR tried his keel design out at Haleiwa… What is it worth? He doesn’t know either!
Hey Carve, thanks for following up. The Keel reminded me of an Eaton twin fin Zinger I used to have. Oh, as to worth, it sold on eBay for just over $300 4 years ago, and like I said, it was pretty rough. The buyer seemed like the type to ride it, not stash it away so I think it went to a good home.
I’m still amazed some guy was tossing it out of his truck at the dump.
I had a 8’6" with that bottom… This was in the late 70’s. It had two boxes and came with two long, narrow based black flex fins. The board could surf in all type of conditions (off course I was poor then and only had two boards) and could dominate the breaks because I had the longest board at the time. This was around the time when longboards were just starting to make a come back.
