Shipping and/or storing a surfboard or blank

General Discussion
1

Just some thoughts on, and a summary of, other links on how to box up a blank or surfboard (below are some older articles that I found useful):

First, some minor critique of Box Depot’s video:
I just watched a useful, although somewhat humorous video made by Box Depot where they show you how to box up a board for shipping. I say humorous as it’s a somewhat contrived example as the board is awfully thin width-wise and thickness-wise and has almost no rocker at all. The piece of cardboard he used would probably NOT work for most surfboards, particularly if you like to longboard.

http://theboxdepot.net/shipping-packing-blog/2015/6/26/shipping-and-packing-surfboard

Glassed-on fins can be padded with slotted foam in layers as one of the below links described.

Anyway, Staples has 4’ x 8’ sheets of cardboard in groups of 5 for about $36.00 US.

But keep in mind, if you fold it over and try to make a box, that the average longboard will wind up with a gap down the middle. So assuming you don’t tape side extenders on, and you leave the gap in the middle, you could just put strips of cardboard (or even one strip down the middle) to completely cover it. But just keep in mind that each 4’ x 8’ cardboard would probaby not cover longboards (at least cover easily) boards that are more than about 19" in width.

For shortboards, it’s a crap-shoot - some might be coverable, but those around 19 - 21" would be kind of tough I would think. Anyway, I’m getting ready to do a test of this method on some cnc-cuts that I need to store for a few months before I sand and glass them so I’ll find out and report what I find.

I want the boxes to look nice and square so I might have to leave a gap when I do it.

I guess 20.5 " x 2 = 41" leaving only 7" for the sides. I might just make it since the rocker will more or less
go in diagonally (so 5 1/2" rocker should fit just barely I would think). I’ll find out when I get these. I ran out of room on a shelf in my room and I need to attic-store the blanks until I can get to the glass-job.

But I would think a glassed longboard would need some more cardboard.

Anyway, I thought the article by Box Depot was kind of humorous as it makes it look so incredibly easy to ship a board, particularly the one in the video.

I’m sure there are lots of shipping companies who can help you out with the boxing up but here are the links I read before on the subject, and these and my above comments might help those who just need to store away their blanks or boards for a while in bubble-pack inside a box:
https://www.swaylocks.com/groups/shipping-surfboard

https://www.swaylocks.com/groups/best-cardboard-box-domestic-shipping

https://www.swaylocks.com/forums/shipping-board-nj-to-hawaii

https://www.swaylocks.com/groups/shipping-surfboard

https://www.swaylocks.com/groups/usa-surfboard-shipping-reccomendations

https://www.swaylocks.com/groups/need-help-international-shipping-boards

https://www.swaylocks.com/forums/shipping-surfbo

2

I meant to say that the Box Depot video IS helpful, not condemning it.

For a board (even a longboard) without fins, perhaps you could use 2 strips of 24" cardboard sometimes, and simply ship it mushed down - still might be kind of tight though. But doing a board with a “2-sided” box instead of a square box takes up less room and might have some advantages. Sorry but I don’t have any boards or blanks longer than 7’10", for those of you who ride real long, longboards, this method will look a little funny.

3

Pieter Surfboards - build your board a coffin.

713×734 98 KB

4

Not a bad use of polystyrene (and a saw) and some (probably hidden, thin plywood or something down under that thing). I guess in my case, my 5 1/2" rocker boards are gonna need a weight in the middle to warp it into a banana shape. I might as well freeze the shape with some fiberglass and resin and go surfing.

5

Uline sells a surfboard shipping box that’s 24" wide and 8" deep, internally. It’s a telescoping box that can hold boards up to 9’. It costs about $30, but they come in bundles of 5, minimum. It seems to have enough internal space so you could add foam or 1/4" plywood as added protection.
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-14259/Corrugated-Boxes-200-Test/24-x-8-x-57-108-275-lb-Double-Wall-2-piece-Telescopic-Tall-Boxes

6

I was going to say keep the EPS you hotwired the blank out of and use that and maybe even fibreglass the outside only more roughly than you would a board. That way you have something you can reuse again and again

7

Bike shops are great for boxes, even wal mart or target for the bike boxes. Just telescope them together.

Any local supplier should have sheet cardboard for under 5 bucks.

The I’ll be telescoping box is a huge rip off. Pretty much everything except for our international 5 board boxes are under 10 bucks each.

Honestly the box in board shipping is almost irrelevant. I know a lot of guys that ship box free. Just wrapped insane

8

Hi there-
We specialize in boxing and shipping surfboards all over the word. Please email to Sales@FoamEZ.com for a quote.
Thanks Brad

9

I would like to know where I can get some Flexi-Hex - that might help solve my problem - I could wrap my blanks up one at a time, and be able to retrieve them one at a time. Most of my blanks are already shaped - they just need to be sanded but I have no place to do it right now, and I need the room.
Perhaps I can contact the company in the UK.

10

I just contacted the company and asked if I might be able to get less than 50 by explaining how I can help them justify it. At least I tried. I doubt I can afford more than a dozen right now unless I join with others in creating an order. We’ll see what they say.

Update:
Here’s the response, they are still setting up distribution channels, and they did not offer to send me some samples so I guess it’s time to start packing blanks in whatever I can find.

"Thanks for getting in touch and showing such a positive interest in Flexi-Hex. We have had a great response since the launch.

We’re currently setting up a distribution chain within the US, prices have not been confirmed but they are in line with current packing solutions.

We’ll add you to our newsletter and as soon as we start selling in the US we’ll let you know. For the time being, you can follow all our latest news and updates on our instagram and twitter pages.

All the best,"
​
This response makes me wonder - are they selling in other countries, like in the UK already?