Merv Larson Surf Ski- Epoxy or Poly and other ?s

General Discussion
1

I just became the new owner of a MervDesigns Surf/Wave Ski- (Goat Boat) Now comes the $20.00 Question- How can I tell if this is an Epoxy or Poly Glass job on this Beast? Its actually pretty light for its size, and in Pretty nice shape- Id like to clean up the few bad repairs that it has, and it seems like the first thing I need to do is determine the composition- Any one in this Neck of the woods familiar with where Merv Design Skis may have been glassed? If you’d like to see the Board for possible reference- Check ebay #7106868017- One more surfcraft in the quiver…-

2

I believe he works for the Ventura Harbor Patrol. They’d know how to get a hold of him. Good Find!

3

whoa he looks really yooung in that photo and the ski is upside down the water must be too shallow for the fin…ambrose… looks flexy maybe glassed with elasto merics

4

Steve, Merv made those at the Yater shop , then moved to Ventura in the 80s hes retired from the harbor patrol .I would say its regular glass and foam from the photos. Merv was way way ahead of his time , that would be a great story for the Journel.

5

Hey, send the link for the photo. i couldn’t find it w/ the number listed.

Thanks

6

Try this link for pictures of the Ski- Should work- Pictures should be up for a little longer at least-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7106868017&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

I aprec the help so far!-

7

Epoxy and polyester smell differently when you sand 'em.

8

I had this friend George, who was an old lifeguard, Ab diver, and Navy seal, who would ride one just like that in big Rincon. Fearless, George would charge the point. R.I.P. George T.

$100.00 great deal. Sorry I don’t know the glass schedule…

Thanks for the link up!

9

Merv used foam and volan.he also made his own paddels(volan) that were highly sought after by skiers and kayakers alike.he ripped on his machine, and the bigger the surf, the better.his last shop was in ventura, above the 101 by the train tracks.

10

I was stopped in my tracks when he introduced the “escape vehicle”, sit on top Valhalla, surfboard in tow.

====================

The man that is given the credit from turning a ‘rigid’ surf ski into a maneuverable wave ski (including the seat belt) is the Californian Merv Larson who was definitely the first international wave ski surfer. He was an Olympic paddler in 1968 and has also been credited with inventing the surf kayak. Merv was featured in international surf movies ‘Pacific Vibrations’ and "Salt Water Wine’ in the late 60’s riding his finless 9ft wave ski across 10ft waves doing unimaginable maneuvers including ‘end for end’ loops. His inspiration through these surf movies generated a new interest in the surf ski which resulted in Australian’s such as Hayden Kenny and Jim Woodriff in Queensland, Jim Weiley, John Gibbins and Bill Wallice in Sydney, John Egan in Newcastle and Fred Pike in Victoria indirectly attempting to copy and improve on the hand shaped finless design.

Merv had been invited to South Africa, had sold his surf kayak designs in England and sent his skis back with Hayden Kenny to Australia. It is ironical that the man who had such influence 20-25 years ago comes from a country with very little waveski surfing.

11

ahhh Merv-can’t tell ya how many times i’ve seen him crnkin’ it over like that while paddling out.always one of the best in the water-period.