Satorisurf,
Better get a move on if you want it by Christmas. Pavel and some of the others take a long time I’ve heard. The Brom fishes are really sweet. Mike
Forstall is in Florida - Brom/Pavel/Cristianson (sp?) are in California - you’re in Hawaii.
You are aware of the cost and wait time for a Pavel and Cris. - right? Go take a gander at them in the Surf Garage.
Buy one off the rack locally or go to any of the dozen or two world-class shapers out your back door and order a custom.
If you want a famous name/old school fish shaper order it from Steve Lis (sight unseen-don’t worry) and have it make the short trip over from Kauai.
First I would heed the advice of the poster above and demo one first …
Dude I live in @#%& NJ and I know this stuff - you’re in surf heaven for crying out loud!
Lesson over, class-dismissed.
John
PlusOneShaper.
Thanks again to everyone for all the information and advice! Now does anyone have recommendations on size of fish? At 6’2", 185 lbs, I’m thinking 6’0"x21.5"x2.75", but should I go even shorter/different width/thickness? Just trying to make the most informed decision before I shell out $600-$700 for Pavel or CI or similar fish.
Well, I think all the repiles so far said what I would say about ordering a real classic fish from a recognized shaper. However, unless you are planning to keep it for part of a collection, why wait or shell out that much dough? I don’t want to take money out of anyone’s pocket, after all i am trying to make a living from selling boards too, but by posting on this site, you obviously have some knowledge of surfcraft.
so, you made the fish in your avitar, and don’t like things about it. well you know what they are, so make another one with the changes you would like. i do understand that you don’t want to miss out on waves by making one, but won’t you be waiting anyway if you order one?
if i was going to pay for a classic fish, and i was anywhere remotely close to Steve Lis, I would call him up. Don;t worry about getting your dimensions until you talk to whomever is going to make your board. Just remember 4-6" shorter than your normal shortboard, and somewhere around 21" wide.
good luck,
The worse thing you can do is give out precise dimensions to a really really good shaper.
The best thing you can do is to give then as much information about yourself how you surf, where you surf, why you surf, and what you surf and what you don’t or do like about it. Even better is if they can actually somehow see you surf where you usually surf.
And then let the shaper do his or her thing.
They’ve probably heard a million similar requests and have a general idea of what you’ll need, you just need to help fine tune it for them. Giving out precise specs unless you’re a pro who gets unlimited amount of boards to try and even they don’t know what they truly want is sometimes an insult to a premier shaper. Especially if you end up not liking what’s produced which is about 30% of the case.
Lis, Pavel, Mabile, Frye and others (Like Manuel) have made so many of these things they should know what’ll work and what won’t once they know everything about you that you can tell them.
That’s my take on customs…
Otherwise you can’t go wrong buying of the shelf if you can find exactly what you are looking for, your eyes hands and pocketbook will tell you when you do…
Sounds like a good size to me. 5’11" or 6’0". I am 6’2" and ride a 5’10".
DH
I saw some great ones at Tropical Blends on Queen street. I loved the glass work there. Try to buy it locally and save on the shipping. I think the measurement you provided should work well. I would go 3" because being older, I like flotation.
Aloha,
D
Go 6’0. If that’s you in the avatar, then 6’0 with classic full outline will be good for a 6’2 185 guy. If you’re going for one of those turbo quads, maybe reconsider.
You know my take on this fish thing is that they are more or less pretty similar if the shaper is qualified. But Maybe local is the way to go? Granted, if you have your heart set on a CA manufactured fish, then get it. Funny thing is that I brought some boards over to HI 2 years ago from CA, since Swaylockers were raving about them: a Mandala quad, a Tyler Deuce, and a KG. They were fun and well crafted as advertised, but I don’t surf any of them anymore. Just personal preference, I guess. My favorites now are a Todd Pinder and a Parmenter inspired design, both locally made. My $0.02.
Gold is where you find it.
Yeah Satori
I completely forgot about him…Shame on me and thanks for reminding me Sidestreet.
But Dave Parmenter makes one hell of a modern fish called the Malolo (flying fish).
Everyone I know that has ridden one including his glasser Kimo raves about them.
I think Sidestreet likes his just as much.
Pinder makes a more classic style fish ala’ Cali style but Dave’s is more of the style of some of the Aussie fishes shown in that “when the hell is it coming out” movie project Hydrodynamica. Kind of with that little curved out flair in the tail and beveled rails with concave deck "Michael Mackie and Dick Van Straalen come to mind. Check this website out…
www.sixounceboardstore.com.au/gallery.html
One of my favorite idea sites
But its hard to go wrong with a Parmenter…
Pure speed and fun…
I can’t believe I completely forgot about Parmenter…
Forgot to mention that a shop in Waikiki called SG2 (Surf Garage 2) carries Pavel shaped Rainbows and Channin surfboards. The last time I was there was late summer and they had a couple of Pavels.
Here’s a Hobie -
i can make you a great fish… im no legend but im sure i can make you as good as you will get anywhere around these parts. we have many many satisfied customers who i can give you feedback from,. as far as size my new website at www.diversesurf.com.au has a sizer chart to help you choose. i have lots of updating to do on it but the twin fin info is relevant
Quote:
if i was going to pay for a classic fish, and i was anywhere remotely close to Steve Lis, I would call him up. Don;t worry about getting your dimensions until you talk to whomever is going to make your board. Just remember 4-6" shorter than your normal shortboard, and somewhere around 21" wide.
good luck,
That Good Advice Rob
I personally think that you can’t go wrong with any of the following if you are going with a fish.
Shipman, Pavel, Lis, Manny, Smith, Mabile, Hanel Just my $.02 Good luck.
Unbelievable response, I really appreciate all your opinions and advice! I went to a couple shops around town last night, including Tropical Blends. I’ve walked right past Tropical Blends before, but didn’t realize it was a surf shop. I thought it was a tropical smoothie place, can you believe that? 
They had awesome boards there, but unfortunately didn’t have one the size I wanted. They did have one classic fish there by Pat Rawson that I really liked. It was slightly smaller than I wanted to go though, 5’11"x21.5"x2.5". If it had been 2 5/8" or 2 3/4" I would’ve walked out with it. So I’m going to keep looking and if I don’t find what I want soon I’ll custom order from one of the guys you all have been talking about.
Too bad about your local shop not having your size. Post pics when you finally get your fish. Good luck with the search.
Satorisurf, Tried to e-mail you w/ address you show here, undeliverable. E-mail me ojshjs@hotmail.com. I am on Northshore and I believe I can solve your fish story with a happy ending.
Cheers Basswave
those are some HAPPY looking people , ben …
customers of yours ?
so much STYLE …check out the guy walking with the drink and the girl .
I bet THAT guy gets ALL the chicks !!
ben