That's what's confusing to some people.... comparing NSP and Tufflite "epoxy" to Firewire or Stretch "epoxy." One is a composite sandwich skin, the other is traditional fiberglass layup, either hand lammed or bagged.
Guess you aren't making the connection between a bad economy here in the US and buying cheap inferior foreign goods. We can effect change by more than who we vote for in an election. Who we buy from, the philosophy of the company, how they treat the environment and their workers etc etc. are things that should help determine our purchases. Check out the new book by Yvon Chouinard "the Responsible Company".
Depends on what type of surfing you are doing. I am a dyed in the wool HP Shorboarder. What amazed me about Coil was how Mike pretty much "manipulated" me into trying some new things--no rufies or GHB needed. I'm 6'3", 175 and generally never rode boards shorter than 6'1" unless I was on a fish. He talked me into a design based on their Wider Board. This was over two years ago, long before Craig Anderson started making stubby HP boards popular. Long story short, the board is magic. You may want to go bigger in some different directions than length. But, since you are in FL you could schedule an appointment and talk with them in person.
Thanks for the advise EROCK, i'll definitely be making a trip over there as I pass by almost on a weekly basis (yes, i drive 2 - 2.5hrs each way, almost every week to catch w/e wave are out there). The type of surfing i'm doing right now is mostly knee - head high waves (occ OH). I have all the fat boy boards i need (Fish, Fun / HP LB, SUP), i'm ready to get something more high performance again (use to ride a 6' 4" years ago) now that i'm back in shape and can actually ride a board of smaller size. I need something that can handle a steep drop but at the same time floats me well enough to paddle through heavy beach break sets. As my fitness improves so does my skill level, it's coming back to me pretty quickly actually, so rather than waste money on something off the rack that i'll end up not wanting in 6 months, i'd rather go with a Coil or something of very high quality.
I spent a lot of years hating on "pop outs". I also spent a lot of years fixing small dings in PU boards that would eventually worsen to the point were I would need to get rid of a boards because of all the dings. New boards are expensive and maybe you can only afford 1 new board a year. That go-to-board may be getting used 50-60 times/year, and needs to withstand airline travel. This led me to try out a Von Sol Shadow in Boardworks TEC (Thermal Epoxy Construction). I prefer to ride wide tail thrusters and fishy quads, so this board was right up my alley. I went with a 5'9 and have been extremely happy with the performance and durability. Yes, it does have a different feel than an ultra light PU, but it also has a longer life and requires less maintenance. It has found its place in my quiver among locally shaped EPS boards, brand name polys and old school boards by legendary shapers. My advice is dont hate till you try one out because you might just find yourself riding one in the future. Its is always a good idea to your home work before pulling the trigger: http://boardworkssurf.com/technology/
I have ridden epoxy's for years. All American made. My glasser, is an expert on epoxy surfboards, and can make them light, and strong. I have sold boards, 3 years old { ridden about everyday} without a mark on them. It's simply not necessary to buy an oversea product, when there are great craftsman here in the US, that can hand shape and glass anything that you want. And the cost is comparable. Check out Dynamic Glass { Maya Surfboards} Surfside Beach, South Carolina. 843 450 8454
Which of those boards is less durable than a standard polyester board? I have no doubt that someone who has no idea what they are doing could make a terrible not as durable epoxy board. But every epoxy I've come across has been a lot more durable. If you take one skilled shaper and have him make two boards, one with a standard polyester build and one with epoxy, which board will be more durable? People in here are talking about popouts being more durable compared to the hand shaped polyester board. I have no doubt that it is, because they own a popout made with epoxy construction (I guess from a company that knows how to make one). But if they got a hand shaped epoxy it will be similarly durable relative to a polyester. Could be more, could be less, but relative to the polyester it's going to be quite a bit tougher (again, assuming it was made by someone who knows what they are doing). I shouldn't have made a statement based on an assumption, but that wasn't my point. My point was they are comparing apples to oranges. Or, maybe I'm wrong and they aren't comparing apples to oranges. I have personal experience with about 4 different types of epoxy boards of varying durability and performance, but all were significantly more durable than the 8 polyester surfboards I've owned. Whether that's the vacuum bagging or the sandwich construction or the glass schedule, I don't know. I primarily ride epoxy now because I got tired of having a delaminated surfboard 6 months after a new one. I bought a hand-shaped american performance oriented one that fit my needs, and I'm betting its more durable than almost all of the epoxy popouts. I know there's no comparison in durability between it and my polyester surfboards of a similar size/weight/performance.
it doesn't matter if its nsp, firewire, tuflite, or anything else. this guy has 3 boards, 2 polyester 1 epoxy. he thought the epoxy was more durable because it's a popout when it's actually more durable because it's made of epoxy
I see so many people that are against popouts from overseas, always saying to buy local or American made boards. I agree completely with that, but these same people are buying leashes, trac pads and other surf products that are made in china. If you are so concerned with where the board is made then you should also make it a point to buy your other surf accessories from companies who manufacture in the US. Just seems kind of hypocritical to me. As for my boards, I have had plenty of polys and one Firewire. The Firewire is much more durable and feels no different from my polys. I don't think I would ever buy one new for that price, but for a used board it has definitely held up well. I would also like to check out Coil sometime, I have heard lots of great things.
i love my sweet potato...but i think i will give in a get a wrv made ( as much as i despise seeing people come out from the woodwork riding yellowed out 7 foot wrv fun boards). I think I may get the nugget or flying nugget. anyone ride any of these? if so, what's the max wave height? seen a few reviews saying overhead but the website reviews say knee to chest. I am looking for something waist to overhead but as a performance hybrid, not hpsb.
I ride shortboards and a fish but found it was time to buy something with some size to get through the summer in NJ. I picked up an 8'6" Australia a few years ago and have no complaints. It's bulletproof. It blew off my roof last year as I was loading it on my rack (literally about 30' in the air), fell like a daisy cutter bomb, and smashed down to the ground. It was practically unscathed, just 2 small star cracks in the glass on the rail. Yes, it was made in China and I have a lot of other things in my life from China too (like this laptop I'm typing on right now)..... as do many of you. That argument is overplayed, especially for those that are driving a foreign car to the beach to surf. Popouts have a time and a place..... they're inexpensive and can survive practically anything. Would I buy one as my "go to" board? Never. But it serves its purpose.
Again, its not durable because its a popout.... It's durable because of the construction which could be reproduced/surpassed by a "local shaper" (assuming its a good one). I'm not so sure the made in america thing is important to the majority of industries, as long as the factory it comes from pays its workers a living wage, doesn't pollute 5 times worse than other factories, etc... The reason I think it's important in the surfboard industry is because the little guys are the ones innovating new product, coming up with more sustainable ways to make surfboards, making the best/customized boards, and teaching the next guy. If it's a big company overseas who is filling all those requirements then I don't see anything wrong with buying their board... But it seems like the majority of them are just out for money... doing various things that I don't think are ideal...
