Shapers Mantra

There is a constant debate ongoing about the pros and cons of pop-outs.   Pros - good replication of proven designs provides a consistent product, cheap (outsourced to Asian nations),    vs     Cons - oustourced to underpaid workers abroad, cheap materials, absolute minimal layups, limited sizing options, almost exclusively FCS plugs (FAIL)  etc.....   Do you want to drive a KIA or do you want an Aston Martin?       Price is usually not that far off between a handshaped board and a machine shaped popout imported from China or Taiwan.    As an artisan and craftsman, I absolutely love this shirt from Critical Slide Society in Australia.    Support your local shapers and surfshops.

Black Swan - Retrospective III

The long and arduous process of making the Black Swan Surf Kayak continues.   Once the foam plug is shaped, it needs to be glassed and sanded, primed, then blocked, then primed, then blocked and so on until you get rid of any high or low spots and generate a nice smooth surface.    Once we are comfortable with the contours, symmetry etc. of the plug, a flange must be built to be incorporated into the mold for infusion and vacuum bagging.  The pictures show the plug during the process of adding the flange.  Next step: laying up the mold.

Zamora Longboard Teaser

A teaser shot that Ian Zamora sent me from California.   Ian is one of California's top shapers and well respected in the industry.   I was fortunate enough to win a raffle last year set up to raise money for Ian to get to Japan for a promo tour.   Lucky for me, I have this sick Mexican Carpet Resin Job being done on a custom longboard for me.    I don't get to shape longboards too often and don't work with polyester resin at all, so this was a good chance for me to get on a large plank and have Ian go nuts with the colour work.  Can't wait.    I will keep you updated when it arrives to the lakes.

ThunderFish

6'0" x 21" x 2 3/8" Rocket fish.

From concept sketches to reality.    Willer original haida Thunderbird art in posca pen.

Tapped Off-1

Airbrush, foam stains and solid resin tints are much more of a challenge on EPS foam.   Playing around with some foam swirling and airbrush combo and fancy tape work.   Still had some bleed through, so not a perfect experiment this time around but still a cool effect and another lesson learned.

Look closely and you might see something odd with this blank.  Can you tell what it is?

The Neverending Debate - Futures vs FCS

MeSurf.com.au FCS vs Futures

Interesting article on MeSurf from Australia.     The two dominating companies in the fin market throw out their best propaganda.    Click on the link and decide for yourself which system you prefer.   Its a pretty even split for boards going out of my shop.  I have to admit that I see way more FCS plug repairs than I see repairs related to Futures boxes.   Hopefully the new FCS Fusion plugs will be a great improvement upon the FCS plugs of old.    I can't believe how many big name companies are still using them!  Don't forget your other options: LokBox and Glass-ons.   More on those later.