I just scored a Morey-Pope “Blue Machine” 9’9"x24". I own a Pope Bisect and have had discussions in the past with Thane Pope.I called him today to ask if he knew about this board and when I described it to him, he said it’s a “Blue Machine. He suggested that I post a message in this forum asking if anyone out there can give me some background on this board. It’s been beat up on the bottom a bit and I’d like to have it restored. Anyone know the value of one of these? Did it originally have a glassed-in skeg or did it have a removable fin? Did it surf well? Is it worth restoring to use as a board in my quiver or is it strictly a collectors item? Is there anyone out there in or near New England that can restore it to usable shape? Thane said he’s appreciate if I mentioned that I love my 9’6” Pope Bisect, Terry Sim’s Performance Diamond Tail, all glass, made by Harbour.
Lucky you…This is quoted from Surfer Magazine article, “Men and Their Models” May, 1967. A buyers guide featuring the different models put out by the leading manufacturers of the day. “Blue Machine (Morey-Pope Co.) Designer: Bob Cooper-1967- for an inside-zero to eight foot wave. Cost: 9’6” $160. Leading rider: Bob Cooper, Design Theory: The Blue Machine is a proven formula. The flatness, roundness combinations are extremely advanced and require a concentrated effort on the part of the rider to use them. The Blue Machine was designed for a hollow inside out wave." The ones I’ve seen have had W.A.V.E. set fins. I’ve heard some where offset to one side of the stringer.
call Blinky at Ventura Surf Shop.(Ventura, Ca.)He helped Cooper in the design and building of the Blue machine when he worked at Morey Pope…round bottom, wing-tip nose, offset fin, wide and thin-think Rincon, long gone Stanleys,etc.
You can check out the Fans of Bob Cooper Facebook page at - https://www.facebook.com/groups/87306190590/
Or you can email Bob Cooper himself at coastcoopers@gmail.com