For me, personally, it would definitely be Donald Takayama. Something about the rails and the noses that just “did it” for me…
I thought it said ‘‘surfboard design forum’’ ??
For the OP, Ricky Carroll is a great suggestion. Well-versed in several versions of what you’re looking for. Jim Phillips if you decide to pony up for shipping from California, he’s forgotten more about shaping longboards than most of us will ever know.
In the years that I quit shaping I rode short and longboards by the best. Longboards---------- Lots of Yaters both Rennie and Lauren, Doug Haut, John Mel, Ole to name a few. There were little quirks or things about each of those shapes that bothered me, Once I got back into the groove of it in the '90’s and got a few boards under my belt; I started working on the things I wanted to see in a longboard. The result was that I could vary the overall design of the board but still retain the qualities that I wanted the most in the boards that I shaped. There are lots of shapers who shape boards that are very similar to each other… I have a set of characteristics that I factor into every shape. In the end I come up with a board that looks classic but on a close look is distinctly differant from other shapers. I’ve mentioned some of those characteristic in past threads, but I’m getting tired of it so I won’t divulge any more secrets in this thread. If you are a shaper and don’t ride your own boards or don’t like your own shapes; You might as well be a janitor. Lowel
The wide point on that particular board runs from about where your knees would be while paddling prone and runs up thru the chest. The boards down at the shop. I’ll be getting you some “Exact” measurements. I’ll be down there tomorrow. But I know for sure it is 9’0" and 23" wide. After glass it hit exactly three inches thickness. The maximum thickness again runs from the knees thru the chest. There----I just gave up two secrets. Lowel .
So I understand that it is a good thing to ride proven board designs built by the best to know what one likes and dislikes so one can then in the future, given one develops the skill to control what one wants to shape, can use this personal feedback to create the best ride for one’s taste… I admire career shapers as I know it is not easy to make a living out of it so passion for the building of boards is their/your main reason to make boards. I work as a real estate appraiser to support my family but if someday I win the lottery or when I retire you can be sure I will spend my time working on classic sailboats and shaping boards for my friends and I…
It is that, and a whole lot more…
Those words are just as true today as ten years ago. Swaylocks runs the full gamut of the surfboard building process, and hence, my point is that it tends to be frequented by people who build surfboards.
You don’t have to make surfboards to be welcome here, obviously. I never said it was only for people who build their own surfboards, and I don’t claim to be a pro or an expert at it myself…
But like McDing, Jim Philips, and a lot of others here, I enjoy riding the boards I make. My post was in reference to my argument that I think it should be ok to say so on this forum.
I am my own favorite shaper. Too bad I started shaping so late in life.....I have plenty off "doggs" and a few surfboards that work really well for me...but.....hey....I have a complete quiver of surfboards built by me.......with my full time job, bad back and f'up shoulders my boards work great....A top name isn't going to make my problems go away....I'm stoked to own 3 longboards...all with different rocker...so I can learn what is really happening...and longboard #2 is history because I just finished a new one with a better shape and rocker......
Stingray
As a side note and a attaboy for Jim Phillips. Rick Carrol told me that Phillips made the Surfboards Hawaii Modle A that Ricky used to produce the scans for his CNC machine.
Yes some of his production comes off a machine. He is also a proven master of the hand shaped board.
cippy
sparky
the really, really, really old(Ole) guy on maui
and of course Jim the G
Hey bro, don’t be afraid of poor shaping skills. They become good shaping skills by you guessed it, shaping. There you have it! You will never experience stoke like you will get the first wave you catch on a board you shaped for yourself. Don’t let a busy work schedule stop you either! If it takes you a month of nights and weekend to shape your board who cares! You don’t have any antsy customer bugging you to hurry up or any bosses looking over your shoulder telling you to be more productive. Also you have the folks here who can and will answer your questions. There are a bunch of great lb shapers out there, but who knows, you may be one too. The longest part of any journey is the first step. Believe me, just about anyone can shape a board that will surf! The key is to look at as many boards as you can at the local shops and make mental notes of what you see. Search the archives for info and just take that firs step into a much larger universe. I hope you do, you will thank all of us who have told you to try and join us in sharing the stoke you get on a stick you made. Also you will have $900+ in your pocket for beer and gas and a new blank to shape your second longboard.
Oh and if you really want to buy a great board Ricky Carroll is the man! Also check out Tom Neilson. Both good florida boys who know what’s up!
Hoy Runnels
Hoy Runnels. Haven’t heard that name in a long time. Gene Cooper is about as traditional late sixtys as you can get. I turned about half his " un" team on to him before they ever even heard of him or knew there was a second Cooper. Lowel
Thanks for the encouraging words Schmidt. Yea, maybe I am being a cry baby about my shaping, I already did 1 board and it came out okay considering #1 I used a really really thick blank and had to do the rocker from scratch, #2 I did my own glassing with no sun cure and did a yellow pigment, #3 fin was glass on. I enjoyed the process, there is a build thread somewhere around here, it came out a 6’6" down rail 70’s style diamond tail single fin mini gun. Had lots of help from Kokua and Barnfield, mahalo! For my second board I am planning to do another 70’s design (I find them fairly simple for a beginner). I am going to go for a 6’ single fin pod like what was typically used at Ala Moana Bowls back before I was born (was born 1977).
I am making it a point to show up on Fridays after work (with my wifey’s permision) at my buddys workshop (I live in an apartment and had to move my lights and stands from my old folks house as I didn’t like the mess I had in their back yard jejeje). My friend Jorge is also a recreational board builder (has built 12 in 2 years and his skills are getting good) and I am there working on some ding repair, talking design or helping out.
The thing is that I need a good longboard now. There are glassy waist high Saturday and Sunday mornings when I am off work that I don’t want to waste not having a glide machine (currently I have a lot of fun with my mat and my fish but I miss the longboard feeling). I am sure that in the future I will attempt longboards and hey, maybe someday I will be one of the great ones who knows, but for know I will stick to flat to V short single fins until I feel confident with that. I am sure that with what I learned from #1 and with a close tolerance blank, suncure resin and a fin box, #2 wont smell so much like, well #2…
As for my present longboard need, I have given it some thought and life is to short not to ride one of those beautiful, bitchin Jim Phillip’s pigs… I am going to contact him right away. Thanks for all the help guys, over and out…
Oh and no leash…
George Miller
I have a few favorites in the quiver:
10’ Dewey Weber - Performer shaped by Jerry O’Keefe put the fun back into longboarding for me. Great all arounder!
10’4" Velzy - Pig even on a small day I can ride ripples for days, and on medium days I can hang on the nose.
and of course,
10’ Tyler - Riddler this is for medium to big days and is just fabulous to surf. Amazing on the nose, and turns on a dime from the tail!
Rod Sorensen, Agua Surfboards in Leucadia, I’ve had a slew of longboards from Rod and always loved every one of them. There’s a couple I wish I had back, like the the 10’ noserider. Always a single fin, always a rounded pin, always happy.
I’m with you, though I still tend to gravitate towards those I am familiar with. Lance Carson made me a beautiful one back in the 70’s and it still rides great for that type of surfing. Had a nice 9’4’’ Herbie Fletcher that came out of the old Stewart factory that was unreal. I also like Matt Calvani or Tim Stamps of the younger guys. Heck…I see boards posted here and elsewhere I think look great.
Bob Sakoda in Oceanside-longtime production shaper for D Takayama and ‘ghost shaper’ for other up-market longboard labels. Affordable, conscientious and for a small fee will even turn your order into a shaping lesson.