If cost didn't matter - what shaper???

[fong]

steer clear of the high output manufactures. Problem is some of the best shapers are high output.

I'll be keeping it local, .

u not whisstling dixie there sister

some of the VERY BEST BOARDS...in shape and manufactor are made right under your noses......often 4 the same if not less a thailand popout being built by people who don't surf

p.s bob mctavish a old guy called dave from nth haven

he only builds them 4 himself........classic oz backyarder

[tube5]

without a doubt...Gene Cooper.....if I had to go with a shaper in Oz...Jim Parkinson.

[sean--]

Already have one off Ian Chisholm thats very good. Others here would be Wegener, Tolhurst and I reckon Gary Burden would do a good board as they seem to go well for him and Frank Latta makes a nice board.
Overseas I reckon Frye, Takayama,, Gene Cooper and Dick Brewer.
The Cooperfish website boards look flawless especially the glassing.

[Beanpole]

I have had my best ever surf session on a mal riding a tuflite takayama
So I'm a bit biased towards his shapes.
If you were going to get one of his which one would you get?
Used to ride an old Farrelly when I first started tooling around on mals. It was someones brothers who didn't use it much. Used to go okay. I'd like to try riding it these days when I've got a better idea about what not to do on a mal
A Billy Tolhurst would be good as would a Darryl Dell model or a Paul Hutchinson shape.
Rabbidge makes a mean board but a heavier glassjob would be good for me.
A Wegener would be great to own just as a thing to look at as well as try to master.
I love the look of Van Strallens fish but 5'6" is a bit challenging.
Speaking of boards that are good to look at. You know when tuflite boards started out they had quite a few wood veneer boards in shops?
I only rarely see anyone anywhere riding one and I can't really think of anyone I've seen who has one on display in their home, shop or anywhere.
Where did they all go?

[DeeWhyguy]

Overseas - Brewer, Cooperfish, Takayama and the Campbell Brothers

[Longygrom]

Overseas-

Logs from: Bing, Tyler, Anderson, Creme, Cooperfish
Fish from: Pavel, Skip, Lis
Shortys: Al Merrick Black Beauty

[sean--]

I have had my best ever surf session on a mal riding a tuflite takayama
So I'm a bit biased towards his shapes.
If you were going to get one of his which one would you get?
Used to ride an old Farrelly when I first started tooling around on mals. It was someones brothers who didn't use it much. Used to go okay. I'd like to try riding it these days when I've got a better idea about what not to do on a mal
A Billy Tolhurst would be good as would a Darryl Dell model or a Paul Hutchinson shape.
Rabbidge makes a mean board but a heavier glassjob would be good for me.
A Wegener would be great to own just as a thing to look at as well as try to master.
I love the look of Van Strallens fish but 5'6" is a bit challenging.
Speaking of boards that are good to look at. You know when tuflite boards started out they had quite a few wood veneer boards in shops?
I only rarely see anyone anywhere riding one and I can't really think of anyone I've seen who has one on display in their home, shop or anywhere.
Where did they all go?

Beanie I've ridden most of the Takayama tufflites and found the best performance board the Steven Slater model and the Model T the best traditional style. The Model T would be an unreal board glassed heavy but thats the major drawback with the tufflites because a traditional style board needs to have a bit of weight

[ric_vidal]

the major drawback with the tufflites because a traditional style board needs to have a bit of weight

Do as they do with the tow boards, drill some holes and chuck in some weights! Now that’s going to leave a mark on ya $1200 investment in fun!

Seriously though, there must be a fair amount of feedback now on the Surftechs so you would have thought they would’ve come to terms with that aspect at Cobra...

[sean--]

the major drawback with the tufflites because a traditional style board needs to have a bit of weight

Do as they do with the tow boards, drill some holes and chuck in some weights! Now that’s going to leave a mark on ya $1200 investment in fun!

Seriously though, there must be a fair amount of feedback now on the Surftechs so you would have thought they would’ve come to terms with that aspect at Cobra...

You would think so Ric but thats the only thing missing on the popout Model T . I would get one if it

[platty]

Kind of defeats the purpose getting a heavy "Tuflite". Why not order a PU/PE Model T. Glass it heavy. Problem solved. They are made under liscence here in Australia. From what I have seen the quality is of a high standard. And your money stays in Australia. Apart from a royality to Mr T. platty.

[sean--]

Who shapes the Takayamas here in Australia

[ric_vidal]

Who shapes the Takayamas here in Australia

This is on a web site:

North Coast Surfboards - AUSTRALIA
Tony Squirrell, P.O.Box 309, Bangalow, NSW 2479, Australia
1/29 Acacia Street, Byron Bay, NSW, 2481
Phone: 61266856896  Fax: 61266857631
Email: [email protected]
www.bearsurfboards.com.au

I thought Bob Margetts in Byron was appointed (don’t quote me just something in the back of my mind)

[Beanpole]

I thought it was Paul Hutchinson. Don't quote me on it though.

[WANDERER]

i reckon a Bic style plastic model T would work ok.

[sean--]

i reckon a Bic style plastic model T would work ok.

tHE BICs have a bit more weight

[Greensurf]

If cost didnt matter I would go for a quiver. And if I had to choose 1 shaper I would personally choose Dick Van Straleen. I would try and force him to consider channels as an old short board in the 80's I had of his used to go like a dream. i have a newish 6'7" from him and I am not disappointed (except he wouldnt do channels..prob too much mucking around).

I would however, like to see his longboard shapes and challenge his design and my surfing with a conventional roundtail thruster with middle finbox and removable sidefins. Some channels on the rear going up 1/3 of the board, prob 2 a side, a spoon concave nosejob and a turbotunnel cnetre fin. (also, for extra strength and looks I would love it to be triple stringer)...As for size, I reckon 9'7'...only cos I have 9'1", 9'4' and 9'10" and this would be a little different. Perhaps bring back a texture deck similar to the old Mike Davis boards in the early 80's.

Finally for looks I would try and find a bloke called Jim Davidson who used to do sprays for Emerald in late 70's...I had a magic Star Wars single in 1978/9 which would be worth a mint today if I still had it in good cond. His sprays were fantastic. I would be going for a "paradise lost and found" dichotomy showing say 70's Bali surf scene merging into a gold coast/surfers paradise scene. I have even roughed out a quick sketch for when financially viable. (dont tell SWMBO).

I would estimate cost at $2000+ but gees it would be worth it...trouble would be you would not want to ride it in case it gets dinged.

[scot]

tom wegener
joe larson

just realised i got his name wrong
meant Joe Larkin
http://www.legendsurfclassics.com.au/Pages/larkin.htm

and yes these guys boards are already collectables.

i would also add Bob "Kenno" Kennerson.
i have had my kenno now for about 5 years and it still goes great although it is looking a bit worse for wear.
if i was getting a new mal (not likely) i would go down to cresent a get another one from him.

[Maladjusted]

I can't believe nobody in this thread has mentioned Billy Tolhurst; He makes great shapes (for performance mals anyway).

I am also a believer in Garry Burden, owner of Astro surfboards, he has shaped two boards for me that ride great.