I have had a soft spot for Yaters ever since I began surfing over 25 years ago. It's probably because my first board was a Renny Yater 7'6 gun that was totally inapropriate for learning to surf on but I made it work and had a lot of fun doing it. I have an oppurtunity to pick up an early to mid 90s Yater Traditional Longboard. Its a 9'7, triple stringer, big glassed on D fin just a couple inches from the tail and no leash plug. The rails are pretty much 50/50 down the line and the bottm is flat. There is more nose and tail rocker than my '65 Gordon & Smith has. The board in great shape and I can live with the price.
So what can I expect from this board? Does any one have any experience with this shape? If so what are your impressions? How does it surf? Does it turn at all or is it just point and trim? It will be ridden primarily around the La Jolla, Del Mar, Cardiff area.
Ask Yater he is in the phone book ,he is very progressive constantly in a state of keeping it new.My childhood friend has got several some from the early 60"s to current he loves them all then again he is spoiled with all the point breaks!!! My expierence with that style small days point breaks smooth you go along for the ride the no leash plug should be an indicator as to who and why and what they had it shaped for.3 stringer it has a tree inside so when it go’s don t get in the way.
Yep its heavy, not as heavy as I expected it to be but I wouldn't want to be in its path if it got away. I am trying to justify its place in my quiver. I think it will be a fun board on the right day. Not an everyday rider but a small day at cardiff or the shores should be fun enough for it. I could always return it to its roots with a session at Rincon every once in a while.
Howzit macasterj. I say go for it since it is in great shape for a board that is about 15 years old. One of the boards I gave away when I moved from Hawaii was 15 years old andlooked like a chocolat cookie it was so brown and it was always kept in a uv bag. I also had a 8'3" yater from the 70's and it was war worn for sure but it and the other board were both Magic to the Max. Do you know the glassing schedule? Aloha, Kokua
Not a noserider, but you will get the occasional noseride. It'll beat you to death in beach break with punch but loves pointbreaks. Buy it. He ain't gonna be shapin' forever.
Buy it! (Or tell me where I can pick it up). Admittedly my Yater’s a lot different than this one (it’s a 9’2" Spoon)… but it’s magical. Best turning longboard I’ve ever been on, and sooo glidey. Does anyone know if he’s still taking orders? I had my board shaped right before Clark fell apart and I heard afterwards he was just gonna focus on his abalone shell decorative stuff… Wasn’t sure if he started taking orders again.
check surf n wear beach house on state street in santa barbara...they have yaters-spoons,etc. i'm not sure if he's still doing custom oredrs, but if he is, i imagine there is a waiting list. his son lauren can always make you one as well.
