The Search; Part II

Last week Chuck and I went to three surf shops to see what was what.  Chuck had been bugging me to check out the Hansen shop.  He was sure they had the most and the best selection of what I am looking for.  So I relented and said OK, let's see what they've got.  What they've got is not very inspiring and very expensive.  They are almost as expensive as Mitch's in Solana Beach.  A few interesting 60's era restored boards, some standard issue modern long boards and the Hansen logs.  Ho-hum.

Next, we pushed on to the Becker surf shop just a few blocks north.  They had some really nice boards; surprisingly nice.  Three of their long board models, the San-O, the Legacy and the UFO stood out.  This San-O model is 9' 6", 23.25, 3.25 with 2 layers of 10oz volan on top and 1 layer on the bottom.  50-50 rails.  Really nice glassed on wood fin and a nice wide deck up front to hang out on.  Very heavy.  $850.  Not bad.

The Legacy model was just as nice with a more modern template and rails.  50/50 up front turning to 60/40 about half way back.  This board is 9' 6", 23, 3.25 with 2 layers of 6oz glass on top and 1 layer on the bottom.  Tri-fin set up.  And tail block.  This board looked like it would be a good point break board.  Much narrower nose that the San-O ending in a sort of rounded point.  I liked the template except for the front end.  Not a feather weight but light enough.  $690; a fair price I thought.

Custom shapes same price as rack boards but for some strange reason they add $20 shipping to the cost.  Boards are shaped in Hermosa Beach.  Weird.

After some lunch and a much needed rest for Chuck's mending broken ankle, we headed further north to the Encinitas Surfboards shop.  Great shop, good vibe, but nothing there that I just had to have.  Guy named Kies does most of their shaping.  I took one down from the rack just to have a better look.  This board was 9' 6", 22.75, 3.0 with "chined" rails.  If you've ever run your hand down the rails of a Walden "Magic" model you know what those are.  An interesting fin set up on this puppy.  Spaces for 4 side fins plus a center fin.  All sorts of possibilities there.  Fairly light but heavy price wise; $875.  
















Next: friends start offering me their boards to try out as I work my way through the endless combinations and possibilities of surfboard design.

Have a good one.
Aloha
Gary