The one thing everybody conveniently forgets is that Phil created the first dished out bottom of a boards nose to make a “noserider” for the 1966 Morey noseriding contest. Yes before they made them at Bing.
Pictures?
I don’t know anything about the recent production, but while I was working for Dennis Choate in the 80’s (the boatbuilder- www.denchomarine.com ), he told me he had worked for Hobie shaping the Phil Edwards model. I was twenty something back then and just not in tune with surf history so it meant little to me. Nor did it mean much when Mickey Munoz used to visit the shop. I was just like “Oh, the quasimodo guy.” I missed out on great opportunities.
Years later there was an article in Surfer’s Journal about Phil Edward’s new boat…built by Dennis Choate. So I figure he was not just telling tales.
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I gotta say it's a little spooky when throw away brochures I pull out of my pile of crap can be used for historical reference.
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Careful John,
You know very well;
Today's "pile of crap" is usually tomorrow's historical goldmine.
It's just happening much faster..........
;-)
Gabe, still out there?
The original 60s Phils had three stringers. Center stick was wider than the offsets. My first board was a second-hand PE Hobie. Wish I’d kept it (I know I know…)
Two ads from 65 and 66. The group shot is (L to R) Joey hamasaki, Joyce Hoffman, Munoz, Phil, and Billy Hamilton. That’s a “Phil” in the center. The Phil lam was silver foil, as I recall.
The other pic is scan of a Hobie ad, with what appears to be a Phil near top right. I outlined it in red.
The Hobie Noserider debuted in 1965. I have one. Edwards and Munoz are credited with the design. It’s called a “concave”. Munoz won the first Morey Invitational (1965) on that very design.
In fact, Munoz took the men’s division, and Corky Carroll won the juniors on the same shape.
Anyone else note a similarity between the Edwards model and Harbour’s Trestle Special? Three stringers, pulled in tail, pointy nose…
Thanks for the pics. Your posting of all these old ads, etc. contributes a lot to these history threads.
My inquiry was based on a structural perspective, but that doesn't stop me from admiring those beautiful old boards.
Anyone who has George Orbelian’s book “Essential Surfing” may recall that he also claims the Edwards Model was prone to snapping. It is in the context of comparing stringer choices VS the other factors that provide strength. I hold the opinion that while stringer choice can contribute some resistance to snapping in half, the deck and bottom contours play a larger role, along with the glass job, itself.
I had a PE as my daily driver in the early 90’s, 9’8" triple stringer, bought off the rack. It was a “frustratingly” hard board to ride well, my friend LJ said Phil was the only man alive who could really rip on one. I traded her in and never went back. Testament to how well PE could surf.
my parents gave me oneof these when i was lke10 or something, was a great board in retrospec and man did i trash her out, that board was toast a few years later, didnt help that i could barely carry it down to the inlet…
I just picked up a Phil Edwards Hobie board. I googled and found this forum so thanks to everyone who has participated here. I learned how to surf and sail on a Hobie surf boards and Hobie Cats. When I saw this board, it was too good to pass up. Unique wood nose and tail blocks (and signed by Phil). What do you guys think of this one?
Hey Kaikane40 -
Congratulations, it looks like a really nice one!
I think it will be a good rider. It would be nice to hear how you like it once you get it out in some clean waves. Of course, it might also be considered something of an investment. For some reason they don't seem to get the prices of a Skip Frye longboard (why is that?) but a nice one like yours sure isn't going down in value.
That’s one of the reissues. Less than ten years old, I believe. From the photo, it looks pretty clean. Probably worth more now than the day it left the shop. Not sure if Phil is shaping at all, these days. Plus, I don’t think there’ll be any more Hobies with his name on them. I’d ride it, but give it some TLC. Still, not comparable to an original 60s version.
Hey Sammy,
Thanks for the input. I didn’t realise that they still put the Phil Edwards signature on the reissues from the 90’s. Before I wax it up and take it into the line up, are you 100% positive this is a reissue? Here are more pictures of the board. Thanks Man!
Kaikane,
I bought a Phil Edwards new in '93 or so, like your’s but no nose block.
Re-issue is a lame term to me. They’re just “New” P.E. boards shaped by Phil.
That’s his signature - “they” didn’t put it on there.
I have heard that Phil will no longer be shaping so any board he’s done will obviously be worth something more than its original cost but, I find it a fun, fast and enjoyable ride.
I will say though that I only take it out on very special days so’s not to get any damage.
Pete
Be assured, it IS a reissue.
Hey Pete and Bill,
Thanks for the input, I fiquired it was a modern PE board but I wanted to be 100% sure. I plan to surf it, and see how it performs.
Aloha!
Of course it’s not a 60s board. Fins Unlimited fin and box, leash attachment, nose and tail blocks. The 60s run had no wood except the stringers. leashes and FU boxes didn’t exist then.