are surftech boards any good??

[Cranked]

I've owned more Tuflites than any other boards starting from the mid ninety's. Their superior construction and resistance to damage is unquestionable. Repairs are no problem.

When introduced the superior construction and reasonable price scared the shit out of the established surfboard manufacturers, there was no way they could compete and it threatened the livelihood of the almost back yard production of surfboards confronted with cheap overseas labour and production line techniques.

The industry closed ranks and started a denigration campaign that has persisted to this day. There was no way they could win on price and quality.

The trend for better quality surfboard construction continues. Like the Aloha use of epoxy and wood veneer that is outstanding and they sell for less than their traditional construction boards.

[buddy]

Yeah, SUP's as a fad kind of died out too.

Or morphed into a less surf-centric activity.

What’s with the goat boat revival up here?
I’m seeing a few less sups but bloody heaps more goat boats.

[buddy]

There was a denigration campaign?
Most punters just don’t like the way they ride.

[Cranked]

Was there ever.

Most punters would never have owned one to ascertain the difference.

I ride both, it's never bothered me.

[buddy]

I never owned one and after surfing a few around 2004 never had any desire to.

[Cranked]

Board design is overwealmingly more important.

[buddy]

I even hated the feel of the tuflite mal I rode back then.
Think it was a BIC.

Anyway, to each their own. I and many others think they feel like shit under foot and perform funny, obviously you and others don’t have a problem.
Big deal.

[steve shearer]

Everyone rode one Cranked.

Blaming a "denigration campaign" from the industry is just a cheap conspiracy.

The surf media was all over it, trumpets blaring, because of the ad spend.

Even with all that, they fell off a cliff.

[steve shearer]

Where are all your Tuflites now Cranked?

[buddy]

Everyone tried them because they thought they might be able to get a one-off forever board.

But then they didn’t want to be stuck with a corky dog for life.

[buddy]

And I’m talking specifically about tuflites.
Haven’t rode those alohas.
They look like they’d be nicer than tuflite.

[steve shearer]

There was no way they could win on price and quality.

But they did.

PU/PE boards are cheaper and the quality has been vastly improved.

[Yuke Hunt]

I even hated the feel of the tuflite mal I rode back then.
Think it was a BIC.

A few years back now, my wife purchased Surftech Takayama Noserider model and hated it ... I gave it a spin and found it way to corky for a long-board.

On a side note, I used to get Billy Tolhurst to make my long-boards, and he mentioned that the Bic boards had a similar rocker to his, with the lift in the tail being identical. He didn't accuse the shaper of copying his design, more that good shapers often came to the same conclusion.

I'm just about to get a local lesser known but accomplished shaper to start making my boards, so that I can have a closer involvement in the process. Something that I'm quite excited about. PU all day every day.

[Beanpole]

From memory the BIC Boards were a totally different construction to Tuflites. Way heavier. Very tough.
I’m with Cranky. Design tops the other factors.
I still regularly see new and old tuflites in the line up down here.
A lot of the early ones suffer from the fcuking huge logos that were popular for the time.
New ones you would have to look closely.
Modern cheapo versions are flooding the market.
There may be an argument that the type of person who would seek out a board by those shapers and pay that much would be more influenced by hand shaping.

[Beanpole]

I even hated the feel of the tuflite mal I rode back then.
Think it was a BIC.

A few years back now, my wife purchased Surftech Takayama Noserider model and hated it ... I gave it a spin and found it way to corky for a long-board.

On a side note, I used to get Billy Tolhurst to make my long-boards, and he mentioned that the Bic boards had a similar rocker to his, with the lift in the tail being identical. He didn't accuse the shaper of copying his design, more that good shapers often came to the same conclusion.

I'm just about to get a local lesser known but accomplished shaper to start making my boards, so that I can have a closer involvement in the process. Something that I'm quite excited about. PU all day every day.

Darrel Dell aka Rooster an old Kingy local shaped the Nat Young BIC Model.
I think Bill Tolhurst used to ride a Tuflite version of his own board.
Rode one in Kauai. Owned a Taka DT2, Carver, Tolhurst Fish, Wayne Lynch and a couple of others.

[Cranked]

Where are all your Tuflites now Cranked?

Not mine (but who knows) there is usually a couple at the surfboard shop I always use. I occasionally buy one. They are usually in excellent condition and go for between $450 to $650. As for age you often wouldn't know whether they were 5 or 15 years old.

[buddy]

I even hated the feel of the tuflite mal I rode back then.
Think it was a BIC.

I'm just about to get a local lesser known but accomplished shaper to start making my boards, so that I can have a closer involvement in the process. Something that I'm quite excited about. PU all day every day.

Nice.

I think there’s a place for other constructions. Just tuflites are terrible for me.

[Beanpole]

I’ve bought three off Gumtree. Three from surf shops. Only one new.