do not understand the craze of CI, rusty, lost other mass produced boards

http://surf.transworld.net/1000149451/press-releases/lost-tv-just-about-everyone-at-lowers/

I understand supporting local shapers and I do so whenever I can, but these big companies are in business still for one reason- their shapes work. If I am spending several hundred dollars on a piece of foam and fiberglass I want to be absolutely certain it's going to do what I want it to in the water. Don't forget, everyone from Al to Mayhem to Rusty started in just a garage or shed at one time too. But their stuff endured and flourished because of something that worked for them.

 

every shaper will put their own spin/take into a board design. wynn's idea of a dumpster diver likely will not be the same as scott busby's, whose take will not be the same as tommy moore, etc...even if the overall dims & bottom contours are the same. the rails & rocker will likely be somewhat different, b/c they are different people who shape & surf differently. my take is: if you truly want a "dumpster diver", go buy a ci. if you like the idea of a dumpster diver but don't necessarily want expactly what ci is selling, then go see your local guy & have a good chat w/ him & let him whip you up his version of it.

 

I just did a one-off of a DD, and you're right... I put my own personal twist on it, based on the fact that the local waves the guy surfs are more punchy, top to bottom waves, even when small. Dane designed the board for Trestles, and we don't have a Trestles wave around here. So even though the standard dims were all the same, the changes made were intended to make it a better board for local surf. That's what custom shapes, even from non-local shapers, can do that off the rack models can't.

Besides... I hate doing on-offs.

 

i was just going to pm you to ask how that project went! how'd it turn out? any pics?

 

Shape came out good... but once it goes into the glassing room it's on to the next.

 

^ I saw that photo the other day... I love my travel board but if I ran across that guy on a surf trip I would have to give him my board when I left regardless... surfs NORWAY for decades on refrigerator foam and newspaper...awesome!