I am new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could help me with any information on an old Hap Jacobs board I have. I was wondering when it may have been made, etc. The only markings on it is the Surf Boards by Jacobs logo and a 175 on the stringer below the logo. It does have a nose and tail wood block. Also, should I do the small repairs needed and clean it up or just leave it as is. I would love to ride it and just needs a small repair on the nose and deck and maybe the leading edge of the fin. It is 8 ’ 9", which seems short for an older board. If needed, I can take more pictures.
Late 50's he (Hap) was still partnered with Dale Velzy. The board size is consistant with early 1960. Lots of sub nine foot Velzy & Jacobs balsas were made in 1959, right on down to 8' 0''. I made, and rode a 7' 11'' balsa, in 1959.
When driving up from the pier on Pier Ave…was that the Jacobs Shop you could see when you hit PCH…or was it Knoll’s of Dewey Webber’s place? Seems like it was one of those 3? Remember the Insomniac…Juicy James…the Biltmore…Little different these days in Hermosa…
Hap Jacobs opened “Surfboards by Jacobs” in 1960 at 422 PCH, Hermosa Beach. Given the very low number on that board, it’s probably safe to say it is from 1960. It appears to be in very good condition for its age. You should definitely repair it, while trying to retain as much of the original look as possible. Maybe take it to a pro ding repair just to be safe if you are not adept at repairs, yourself.
I’m amazed at the condition of the balsa nose and tail blocks. Many old boards with those have black rot in the wood. My guess is the board never saw much use.
And, like Bill T said, 8’9" is not an uncommon size for the period.
Howzit Pman, I think it was across he street from Rick Surfboards because we had a friend who had a shop a few doors from Rick's. HIs name was Andy Lasardi and I don't know how long he made it with his retail shop but he made really good boards and I wish I still had the one he made me because it rode huge Rincon so nice and I mean huge.Aloha,Kokua
I also have a vintage Jacobs that i can’t find anything about any help would be great the only markings on the board is the numbers 875. Its 6’ 6’’ can anyone tell me what kind of board it is and maybe the value thank u for ur time I’ll post a few pics
The shop at the top of Pier Ave. was Greg Noll's. Bought a used tandem back in '65-'66. Rode high tide swells at the Cove. You could almost put a tent up on that board. Just under 11'. I weighed maybe 130 lbs. at the time. 15 or 16 years old. Ahhhh Hermosa in the 60's.
The fin doesn’t mean much. It’s the type of box, which can sometimes help date a board. The box is obviously a standard FU, which means a wide variety of fins could have been the original one. Since there is no leash plug in that board (from what I can see), I’d guess the year at right around 1972. Take the leash off the fin and put a plug or bridge in it, if you plan to ride that board. Tying a leash to a hole in the fin is a very bad idea, for many reasons. Fix all the dings and ride it. Looks like a fun board.
