Interested to see how often everybody replaces boards in their quiver. Directed specifically to the east coast guys because we don't have waves to surf everyday. I've heard the two extremes; I know guys who get rid of boards every 4 months and keep them constantly cycling. I also know guys who ride their boards into the ground, pushing 5 years on their 'everyday' board. But for the east coast guy who isn't getting boards for free but still surfs 1+ sessions/week, how often are you re-uping? Must also take into account how often you are traveling abroad for surf as that seems to be when I wear out boards the most.
I almost never re up ive got 11 boards 8 useable 3 broken. Ive stripped and reglassed the majic ones each twice cause theyre majic. I only buy ne wif something catches my eye, I buy used and patch them up if I see something I like.
I buy at least one new board a year. This year I bought one and shaped one for myself. Last year I bought two, and the year before 3.
I build my boards to last, so I get 4-5 years out of them, at least. But I ride a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on conditions. That helps, I guess.
I purchase different boards for different reasons. I've given away good boards (ex: Robert August WIR to an ocean lifeguard in Barbados who really benefited from said board to give lessons to turistas in Bathsheba to support his wife & kids). Buying boards....? You're talkin' bout temporary insanity; bot 3 RA WIR & 10' Wingnut noserider just because they are so gorgeous. All at the same time, wtf. Sold the 10', gave away one of the 9'6, surf one 9'6 regularly (great board in any size surf) & one pristine-never-surfed wall hanger. Drove my then-accounting manager batshiiiite: "I don't understand, you keep buying these surfboards. You can only ride one at a time. When does it end??!!" Ah, yah, just pay the invoice. I'm an addict of surfing who succumbs to some of the marketing yah-yah for 'incredible boards' (Dwart, LazyBoy, Waterhog, Austin Rocketfish). Functional art, hand-crafted magnificence. Always looking, like Gaffer. Almost bot Zippy's latest offering......but had to rein it in....I've got what I need.......so unless something breaks....
on average 2 a year. usually cause i approve of form/function/technology. like fire wires; have a unibrow.
Always on the lookout to try different shapes and setups. I buy used cheap, never over $250 and if I like a shape I bring it to a shaper and give him the modifications I like. I do this when the beat up board is no longer a viable option. I try not to have more than 8 boards at any one time, I'd say my budget is about $800-900 a year. You guys should really be saving your money. Instead of wasting it on firewires, merricks, and the like why not buy from your local shaper. He can easily make you a clone of any popular board and will do it cheaper.
there was a time when I had a friend who shaped. He'd make me whatever I could dream up...and sell them for me when they sucked (they didn't all suck). Went through about 15 boards in about 3 years, but keep in mind that was when Clark was cranking out super cheap blanks. When Clark went out, epoxy was buzzing so I went through five of those in a short period to make sure if I really hated all of them as much as I thought (I did). More recently, I had a bunch of excess money and was buying all kinds of boards from everyone. For a while, I went the local shaper custom route...until I realized most of our local shapers are idiots. Then I went where I thought I'd never go: Corporate surfing brands. Among others, I bought a bunch of Rusty, Channel Islands and Lost. Unfortunately, the exce$$ has kinda dried up, so I doubt I'll be buying anything new within the next couple years...unless my most recent Lost keeps deteriorating at the same pace.
I prob get about 1 a year. I have a heavy foot and a pretty high arch so my decks get pretty "ridged" out. As my buddies call it. Makes it uncomfortable to paddle with the stringer stabbing into your chest. Thats shortboard of course. My Longboard, and Fish are heavily glassed to last a few seasons (fish actually flew off the roof on road trip to mex few months ago and survived with minor scratches). Semi gun has been around for a few years just due to lack of use. I cant stand paying 450-500$+ every year so i tend to just buy blanks and shape one myself or have my buddy do it. I also hate throwing boards away so i tend to give them away, it also forces me to get something new.
