Epoxy vs. Polyester

[Mike]

Broke my polester 9'6" Walden on Sunday in OC...that sucked. I'm looking to replace it with a 9'0" 3 phase epoxy Walden. I've been checking into the differences between the two...weighing the pros with the cons. Seems like you sacrifice some detail and performance with the epoxy, but you get a board more resistant to dings and dents. I surf the Naval Jetties and IRI so less dings and dents might be worth the sacrifice. Anyone have any thoughts? Anyone know how easy the 3 phase epoxy boards are to fix?

[CharlieInOC]

Epoxy = more durable, Epoxy = harder to fix, but not to bad with some practice.

[surfde]

I have fixed dings on my epoxy easily and it does float more than others

[...LostInFlorida]

fiberglass alll the way!

[Mike]

fiberglass alll the way!

I agree that you can't beat the detail and performance in polyester boards, but what about durability, price, and environmental effects?

[Xtreme*Liquidshredda]

epoxy's are mass produced but if you get a board from a local shaper, his board's will be fit for the waves you are riding locally. Epoxy's are a bit more expensive but last longer because they are lighter and more durable. i have two: a santa cruz and a rusty 6'0 pihranna

[wesman944]

i borke my firewire in half sunday, it had no dings at all and was 2 years old, the proformace was great but im not sure if it was worth the money, i also have a bondi epoxy fish that cracked. and epoxy boards are not choice in choppy conditons, honesty i end up riding my polyu lost rnf 80 percent of the time.

[mtd]

I cant speak specifically to the 3 phase epoxy (thats a GSI, right?) but I did have a Robert August "What I Ride", 9' by Surftec (Tuflite) which I believe is similar. I'm not the best surfer in the world but I never really liked the ride on that board. Seemed rather corky to me and if there was any chop I got bounced around or off. Didn't really feel like it carved or held and would skip out easily on anything less than glass (just me?) They are definately more durable though ('cept for paint chips).Check out Eva Hollman's website (the board lady) on epoxy board repair for an idea of degree of difficulty of repairs.
That said, I now have 2 Ricky Carroll handshaped epoxy's and I love them! The ride is comparible to pu with the benifits of epoxy (maybe not quite as durable as Tuflite or 3 phase). Go local if posible! (or at least EC!)
Anywho, thats my 2cents for whats its worth! Good luck!

[...LostInFlorida]

I agree that you can't beat the detail and performance in polyester boards, but what about durability, price, and environmental effects?

Epoxy's are no more better for the environment that a polyester board. they still use basically the same foam blanks that fiberglass boards use, but instead are wrapped in an Epoxy skin.

if you really want to 'go green' buy an Aviso, it is the strongest, most eco-friendly board on the market.

look at the top 45 on the dream tour, all (except Taj on his firewire.) everyone rides polyester.

i'm seeing a trend here.

[...LostInFlorida]

i borke my firewire in half sunday, it had no dings at all and was 2 years old, the proformace was great but im not sure if it was worth the money, i also have a bondi epoxy fish that cracked. and epoxy boards are not choice in choppy conditons, honesty i end up riding my polyu lost rnf 80 percent of the time.

you had it for 2 years.... that's good for any board.