I don't think "best" is the right way to look at it. I think different local shapers have types of boards that they really have gotten great at but it varies. Also the mid Atlantic is a big place...with plenty of room for guys like Brian Wynn or say Austin in Virginia to excel in what they do, without really competing with one another. To me, local means within an hour drive so its easy to stop by and discuss custom shapes, look at templates, etc. Living on the Delmarva, I've been really happy with the many custom boards I've gotten from Jon Ashton. This includes two longboards, eggs, fishes, and a step up for an Indo trip. They have all been good and some have been magic. http://www.ashtonsurfdesigns.com/index.html Good luck.
There are so many talented shapers out there. I have seen a lot of fine looking boards on the forum from the NJ shapers, but Greg Eavey is my local favorite (Wilmington). Quality & craftsmanship is unparalleled - he shapes art. My profile has a picture of my Eavey. Check out his blog - www.eaveysurfboards.blogspot.com
I would take a look at Tom Mahady. He posts on here alot. Me makes great boards and is incredibly cool to chat with
I can vouch for Andrew Rendelson (ARC Surfboards), a very talented young dude who shapes out of Greenlight Surf Supply in Manasquan (Jerz). He can build anything, has an encyclopedic knowledge of surfboard design, and he also hand crafts absolutely beautiful, sweetly foiled hardwood fins. He posts his new customs here frequently. Haven't heard any news about Greenlight specifically, but I know 'Squan got whacked just as hard as the rest of the coast. Andrew, if you're out there, holler. Wishing you and Brian the best.
I was wondering the same thing. I went there a couple weeks ago to check out one of the boards they posted on here a few weeks back. They are pretty close to the beach. Hope they made out ok.
Tommy Moore, who is now back in VB for a short period of time is the best hands down in my opinion. Many of the guys riding lost boards right now are on boards finished by Tommy. Honestly for a high performance shortboard, grovel stick, alternative high performacne shape, Tommy's board are great. Best build quality I have seen, far superior. ALso how great is it to have a guy whos shaped boards for the Fletchers, Sunny Garcia, Benny B , etc buiilding customs for us average Joes!
Agreed,Tom is top notch.Lets you see your board being made from start to finish. Surfs the same waves we do on the East coast and has been building boards for quite some time.
Greg Eavey is top notch! His shapes are all time & his glassing is impeccable by far one of the best east coast shapers, truly old school.
Greg Eavey is a great shaper from Wilmington, NC. I have an 8'2" and a 7'2" and they are great boards. He glasses his own and they are truly pieces of art. Check him out if you can.
Good call on Busbey...he is very gifted and has all that juice at the Lighthouse to test his shapes. Bob Yinger(WRV) is very talented and has shaped for all the pros as well as us locals here on the banx. Hard not to mention Lynn Shell(OBBC) this guy still rips and has been shaping longer than some of us have been breathing. Plus he is real. Nothing like talking to a shaper and watching them mow foam.
My vote for THE best in Maryland and one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic. Give him a call... and you'll see why. Phil Taylor Handcrafted http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phil-Taylor-Handcrafted-surfboards/397743556922419
Jon Ashton http://www.swellinfo.com/forum/showthread.php?15119-Ashton-Custom-Kite-Surf-Board-go-local&p=126962&highlight=#post126962
Hey All, Greenlight is OK. Some wind and rain damage but all is fixed and waiting for power. For those of you not on our mailing list we're having a hurricane sale on all materials and tools. Planning to shape and sell some boards when power is restored to support local hurricane relief funds. Keep you posted on how anyone can get a new board for cheap and help out some families who've lost it all. ~Brian www.greenlightsurfsupply.com Shape Your Surfing Experience
That's mah stick! My first board from Phil is the one pictured above. I'm picking up 2 for a friend and one more of my own from him this week and leaving for PR in 12 days. So far he has been excellent to deal with. The board's quality and his ideas/knowledge/experience are second to none. Looking forward to picking up the new quiver and def have been pointing friends to him.
i'm a big brian wynn fan...very local to me, grew up here & chose to move back when he started a family. my current favorite board is one he made for me & several of my all-time favorites have been made by him. as beachbreak suggested, scott busby of in the eye in buxton, nc is also a great shaper. i highly recommend both!
