I finally got my new Pautsch-shaped Nugget from solo! I gotta say...it truly is a beautiful board. At the minimum, it's an incredible piece of art. I haven't surfed it yet, so I'll post the review after I get it dialed in. I can comment, however, on the service of Revolution Surf in it's much anticipated arrival.
First off, let me say that, at no point, did I feel I was rushed or just a customer. Noel is seldom the guy to say "Well...I gotta go" on the phone. I could tell that while he's not giving surfboards away, it's definately more than a business to him. Throughout the entire process, he's probably spent over 5 hours on the phone with me, talking about surfing, surfboard design, fins, Cheyne Horan and an entire host of shapers. He's strongly opininated and well read on all of these, as well as eager to hear what you have to say. This aspect is really a driving force in giving him my business.
As for the board, we originally had a little hiccup, in which the board didn't turn out to what I pictured. Without debate or question, he insisted that it be returned so he could get his shapers working on what I wanted. Moreso, he insisted that wanted to "make right" on the inconvenience. Seriously? This has never happened to me. The pics below depict what I recently received from FedEx. Mind you: I originally ordered a plain, white, sanded-finish model because I didn't want to break the bank on a design that I've never ridden. This is what I got:
[img_assist|nid=1054249|title=Ray's Nugget|desc=Top|link=none|align=left|width=0|height=0][img_assist|nid=1054250|title=Ray's new Nugget|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=0|height=0]
Okay...apparently, I can't post anything larger than a thumbnail pic. What you're missing, in detail, is the flawless artwork and mirror-like glass on this board. Even if I don't like the ride, I'll hang it on the wall! It's that good!
I hope that doesn't happen, though.
I have several fins that I can't wait to experiment with: The Gullwing, the Spitfire and the lesser appreciated Wavegrinder. The board has almost 2" of tail rocker, so I don't know how the winglets of the Wavegrinder will perform. I'll be breaking it in with the Spitfire, though.
Great looking board, I have picked Noel’s brain a few times on the Nugget design, haven’t pulled the trigger on one of his boards but probably will one day.
Same thing he was doing as a partner 30 plus years ago and has been doing since 1978. He too learning that someone's word doesn't mean squat. While we are talking about imitation...ever look at the Hobie logo or Velzy pig? Pretty shameless there also. Hey..but continue on....
Ray...Thank you for the kind words. I'm happy you are stoked.
Ray - That’s a beaut. Pautsch is a true craftsman. I own a Revolution of the same dims by Forstall. Had it up against my McCoy (by Geoff) and took a level and calipers to it - perfect. I came by my McCoy from a seller here in the States for whom it was a dulicate board. Having emailed Geoff no less than five times and never receiving a response (not even a “Thanks for the inquiry” even though I was enquiring about a multiple board order), I am glad to know someone like Noel who is all about customer service and from whom I can actually order a board and get what I want. I don’t care for many other shorter board designs and the dome works incredibly well for my style of surfing and for my weight (225lbs) so these boards are all I want to ride sub 7-6.
FYI I can’t tell a difference in ride between the Geoff board and my Revs/Horans. Mind you, I am no Cheyne Horan, but since Cheyne has licensed Revolution to manufacture boards with his logo and one of Revolution’s shapers (Ricky Carroll) used to shape many of Cheyne’s boards a couple of decades ago, I reckon these guys know a thing or two. If Cheyne is happy with the craftsmanship, I don’t even need to pimp it. All I know is both my Geoff board and my Horans (by Carroll, Forstall and Hinds) work damned well, and equally so. I am grateful that Geoff invented the dome, but I am more grateful that I don’t have to scrounge around for the rare used board here in order to ride one, or have to get one of my Australian relatives or friends to order one for me and then have to figure out how to get it back here.
Thanks, Ripcurl. I can't wait to get it out. I'm 215 lbs and was running into the same issues with big boards. Originally, Noel said I could get away with going smaller, but I consistently emphasized the weakness of the waves here in VA and how hard it is for me to maintain "paddle shape." After getting it in my hands, I get the sense that I could have gone smaller, but this one makes a great travel-sized, one-board quiver for Costa! I have a feeling it won't be exclusively set aside for that tasking, however.
As far as a comparison...trust me...my skill level is not at the point where I'd be able to tell difference if given the chance. I still haven't taken it out, but I can look at it all day long. It's gonna fly off my roof rack...I just know it.
That's a beautiful board Ray and I know what you mean when you say that you could have gone even smaller in hindsight. That's what gets you about this design, that you still might be able to return to your glory days and keep the 9' plus for when you reeeaaally have to. I bought a 7'11 as my first one after coming off 9'ters for ten years,and after the first surf I was thinking of getting something a foot smaller again !
I have a feeling you will get a smaller one and keep your 7'2" as 'old reliable' . I would love to have the guts to order one of Solo's Fat Bastards as I keep creeping down in 2" increments and I could save money by just getting what I really want in the first place. I like them heavy as well and was thinking of getting my last board with a double 4 oz bottom (and double 6 oz deck of course)
Mono - My 6-6 Fat Bastard is 17 x 23 x 18 x 3.25. Poly. Dome bottom, of course. At 6-1 and 220ish pounds it has PLENTY of float.
Gr8day - Please check out Jamboards (longboard.net) and the Florida Gathering thread. We are having a get together on Dec. 11th/12th weekend. I will have some of my Revs/Horans there including the Fat Bastard. You shoudl bring yours over. It looks like Noel will be there and a bunch of other good guys. Ray - if you can make it down, it’d be great to have you.
GR8day...as I said before...your shaper Jim Dunlop is an underrated shaper and heck of a good guy. Good surfer too. Very nice board. Look forward to surfing with you in Navarre soon if we ever get over this Oct. flat spell. I'm still funny about dispersant though. My Fat Bastard came about by complete accident and just turned out to work great.
Hey Solo- I wish you would get some footage of a young hotshot riding the Fat Bastard and perhaps someone a bit more..ahem..solid.. which would be probably more its intended purpose (?) That would be good to see. Once again, nice board Ray !
