CI Boards...Are they the best?

in the real world of grownups, $200 isn't that big a deal. i know it is when you're in highschool but get a real job and you don't have to sweat it so hard.

and sorry to be defensive but you guys take broad shots at everyone who rides a ci and assume they're all misguided kooks who don't know what side the wax goes on. for me, i'm new to the area and am not dialed into all the local shapers and don't want to stumble through multiple boards before i figure out who knows what they're doing because--this is going to be shocking--locals are capable of making duds too. they're also capable of giving less attention to people they don't know, or smoking too much dope or letting their assistants shape or glass one, etc..

i'd love a local magic board but until i get i better idea of what's out there my biscuit, flyer and m13 are three of the best boards i've ever owned and i've been surfing since al merrick was just an unknown local shaper in santa barbara with some kid named tom curren making waves with his boards.

 

i rode real merrick's in '79-not too long ago,but found a great shaper in Hatteras.it's only in the past ten years or so that lost and ci came to represent something i don't like.flyer and flyer 2 are fantastic boards,though,you can hop right on 'em and they work true,no getting used to

 

Big Ballin! Im all grown up and work 50 hours/week for a living. Dont talk to me about value, thats why I buy local. Your reasons for not liking local boards are just as lame as 80% of the negative comments you are getting about riding CI's. I dont care what you ride, this is a thread asking opinions about CI surfboards. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

i didn't say i don't like local shapers, i just don't know any yet. but i have bought enough local boards in my life to know that all shapers are not equal and noobs like me are easy to take advantage of.

 

There is plenty of info on this forum to get you started.

As far as CIs go, the boards are fine, I just think the local shaper can do it better. AM is non-typical of most shapers in that he has ambition and a sound business mind. I'm not big on the new Burton surfboards tho.

I also think most (but not all) people around here who buy CIs do so because it is the trendy thing to do (same with Firewires). There are guys who rip on them but mostly I see CI boards with rich beginners and intermediate surfers in our area.

 

I used to get a kick out of saying, "Al Merrick don't help ME surf." That was back when I thought I was good, and riding my own shapes.... Ha! Now I look around and see some of the younger gen doing sh!t that makes my back hurt just watching.

 

the mid atlantic and northeast has a lot of shapers and it's a bit overwhelming. the guys that post on here do seem to know their stuff.

and the thing about rich beginners is they sell their boards cheap and in good condition. got my flyer practically unridden for $400 with a bag.

 

Good boards
but
Way overpriced


/thread

 

this is no way a smartass comment or meant to instigate. but genuinely curious is al merrick himself surfs anymore. i have never seen or heard footage and my research showed very little. i know that he is very influenced by his team and its great that he uses that rider feedback so well. he obviously makes incredible surfboards, but does he ride them himself?

 

I ya stud I hear you, unless Travy wants to dig in his pockets and hand over the trust fund, 200 is a big deal.

 

Yes, he does. He was, at one time, a very good competitive surfer as well.

 

Shapes and r+d on shapes are excellent. Everything else about the boards are not...except Slater.

 

I read somewhere that most of the CI R&D is now done at Burton HQ in Vermont.

BTW--Travy, LegendJim is one of those reputable local shapers I told you about earlier.

 

an aggro noob who's new to the area. sweet.

 

I could say that i've road a fair amount of surfboards for the ripe age of 18, and from big companies, such as CI, to the little guys, such as double or heritage, they all have their strengths and their weaknesses. I don't think it's fair to attack CI and call them just over marketed pop-outs, because although they are heavily marketed, Al had to start the same way as any other local shaper, and he proved to surfers that he could put out a solid board. So, I could almost say that he deserves to have the his boards be as expensive as they are. They're probably the most recognized boards in the world, and they have loyal users. Local shapers know their **** about what waves you surf on a day to day basis, but i have gotten some duds from local shapers. I just ordered a Dumpster Diver last week, my first CI i ever purchased (i ain't paying full price either), because i know it's going to perform well, and that it will surf just like the one i demoed because the same machine shaped it, which is a nice to know exactly what your going to get. I actually end up liking my stock boards rather than my custom boards...which is kinda weird. Screw paying $750 for a new board, I'd rather buy a 21-13 for $500 and buy a new wetty, but i'm not going to hate on people that due.

what does grind my gears are the hick inlanders that are pac sun-ed with their iced tips and studs in their ears out on a summer day with a brand new ...Lost board with their trac pad half way up on the board and a little square of the board waxed. Man that drives me crazy

 

oh yes me and my fat guy m13 are soooo aggro. look out!

 

LOL @ the tiny waxed square. I bet it looks so cool on their wall... My friends give me sh*t because i wax my short board almost to the nose. My waxing philosophy is better to have and not need than.. ya know. I dont feel bad though, dane even waxes the top of his feet for free-surfs.

Legend Jim- also curious.. where are you based? I have sampled the work of some local VB/OBX guys but dont know if I have honestly found "my" shaper. Its not Al though...

 

The final quality of the product is lacking( ie glass job, sanding, finsh, etc.) it just seems if it is possible to skimp on it... The glass jobs seem to all be 4 and 4 with maaaybe a 4oz stomp. That's great for pros but what about the college kid or hard working adult that can't drop $500-$700 every time their board breaks because you didn't glass it with enough strength. All to save $20.00 a board... Great for CI, bad for you.

I'm not going to get on a soap box but there also mostly made overseas... not right in my opinion.

Really good analogy about surfboards. They are like cookies. There are all different kinds at ACME on the shelf and one of them might satisfy your needs but nothing compares to Mom's home made chocolate chip made just for you.

I only make custom LEGEND surfboards.