Ordering custom semi-gun - help me decide

[themathteacher]

This is not "help me" threat, it's an "should I get bells and whistles" post.

I'm ordering a new 7ft semigun from my shaper, I preety much know what to get, I surf 2 or 3 times a week so already know what I need, so I won't bore you with sizes and such. Just on whether I should fork over more money or just go plain jane.

I have several choices on what to get:

1) Fiberglass blank - no bells and whistles - cheapest way, still a great board $395

2) Add some cool paint - purely cosmetic - add more $

3) Go epoxy - stiffer and lighter, so can probably go thinner - add more $$

4) Go Epoxy and add a carbon-fiber deck patch, black - uper strong, looks cool - add more $$$
(carbon is mainly for Epoxy boards, not that great with fiberglass as I found out)

5) Wrap in carbon fiber - black stealthy look - litteraly unbreakable - way more $$$

Is it worth it for a bigger wave gun that won't be used except for occassional big days to do anything except a white blank? Or go for the bells and whistles? Decision, decisions.

Chime in even if not sure, just want to know what you guys think

[twerked]

i dunno. i'd probably steer towards the regular old foam n glass. for one, big(ger) waves don't always mean glassy conditions, so with chop, epoxy apparently is like riding a sheet of steel..bouncy bouncy. so that'd be one for standard. and also, big(ger) waves also increase the chances of busted boards/leashes. so in one way, carbon would be sweet. as you mentioned, near indestructable. but then i can only assume the stiffness in carbon would be similar, if not worse, than epoxy. but in another way, if you do snap a nose or something, you didn't just snap a $$$$ epoxy board. if anything, maybe add some paint or resin art so if your leash snaps it's a bit easier to pick out from the foam. just my $0.02

[drowningbitbybit]

Anything with black carbon fibre = tart's handbag.
Draws attention to you in all the wrong ways. Only to be done if you can surf it really really well.

As for epoxy? Do you want something that light for a big-wave board? It might end up feeling very skittish? I prefer a little weight when its bigger - I know lightness is supposedly the aim in surfboard design, but sometimes a bit of mass makes them a lot easier to surf in anything less than perfect conditions.

Me? I'd go with the fibreglass with an understated yet cool paint job.

Or failing that - pink.

[isaluteyou]

im not sure an epoxy is the way to go for big waves. I have not had any luck surfing an epoxy on bigger waves but thats just my own experiences.

Im assuming as the board is it a gun you are planning on only using it when the swells hit at decent size. I would be enclined to go for a loud artwork so when you paddle out you mean business. However leary graphics can get Pricey expecially if the shaper is using a graphic artist/airbrusher. However times are tight so it may be cheaper.

Good on you for sticking with the local shaper. Ive just ordered 2 boards myself from my shaper (a 6'0 and 6'2 high preformcance shortboard getting it at a special, very special price ). $395 is a good price too. Is that your own special price or just what the norm is Whos the shaper by the way?

[b123]

[quote="twerked"]i dunno. i'd probably steer towards the regular old foam n glass. for one, big(ger) waves don't always mean glassy conditions, so with chop, epoxy apparently is like riding a sheet of steel..bouncy bouncy.quote]

i don't have any experience with bigger waves, but it is a very good point.

[sebastiansurfer]

id stick with PU and polyester for big wave but make sure you get a thick enough glass job.better to spend a tad moe and have a tad less performance than no board at all.. and get a small/medium sized but sick logo or design

[themathteacher]

Thanks for your replies, I went with PU semigun, 7ft x 2 1/2 x 19 pintail, 6/5 top 6/6 bottom glass.

Also, my shaper set me up big time with something new: he is getting me a tripple stringer blank, but the wood is dyed RED, so it will have 3 red stringers, for no additional price, I just have to wait longer for it. Totally cool

Buy custom, support your local shaper...

[themathteacher]

$395 is a good price too. Is that your own special price or just what the norm is Whos the shaper by the way?

Well, his prices just went up to $425 this year, but he still gave it to me for the same price.

Here is his link if you need one from San Diego:

http://www.surfingsd.com/ad_spots/board ... rdroom.htm

[isaluteyou]

$395 is a good price too. Is that your own special price or just what the norm is Whos the shaper by the way?

Well, his prices just went up to $425 this year, but he still gave it to me for the same price.

Here is his link if you need one from San Diego:

http://www.surfingsd.com/ad_spots/board ... rdroom.htm

Thats cool of him. Pays to keep in with a shaper The shaper i use usually charges $450 i get it for about $380 normally but this time is differnet getting an unreal price. Hope the board works out. Hopefully we get some waves that will accomodate

[themathteacher]

Update: since he gets the FCS fins from the factory I'm getting matching RED PG7 fins, so red stringers with red fins and I'm thinking a red leash, man I feel like a chick shopping at Macy's but totally dig it...

[Sillysausage]

i think plain white boards look cool, but on a big board looks kinda lonely without a bit of color (or plenty of black and white squares)

[themathteacher]

Thanks for the input everyone, here she is:

[Sillysausage]

looks like a nice board, tripple stringer looks cool in red too.

[kitesurfer]

Thats a sweet looking board. If you get the oportunity can you post up a photo of the rocker line too please?

KS

[isaluteyou]

sweet board i see newbreak ownage on a big day on the horizon with that set-up now all you need is some serious swell to try it out who knows we may luck out in the next week or so although they keep downgrading the long term reports

[themathteacher]

sweet board i see newbreak ownage on a big day on the horizon with that set-up now all you need is some serious swell to try it out who knows we may luck out in the next week or so although they keep downgrading the long term reports

Dude, I haven't tried newbreak or Abs, mostly hit osprey/luscombs/garbage with my bigger boards, gonna have to take you up on a go-out one of these days....

[isaluteyou]

sweet board i see newbreak ownage on a big day on the horizon with that set-up now all you need is some serious swell to try it out who knows we may luck out in the next week or so although they keep downgrading the long term reports

Dude, I haven't tried newbreak or Abs, mostly hit osprey/luscombs/garbage with my bigger boards, gonna have to take you up on a go-out one of these days....

They are fun breaks too.. garbage is little bit slow though and too many longboarders for my taste luscombs-nosurf (the cage) are really fun theres a good right there bit of a sketchy paddle out at the wrong tide though. For conveinience thats the best bet but if you wanna do a little hike and the surf is good abs and south beyond. Hit me up on a weekend sometime

[themathteacher]

Update: Glide - check, Easy to duckdive - check, Wave Hog - check

Fast - not check:

I wanted pretty fins, the only ones that matched (red) where PG7, the largest size FCS makes. Well, they are too big, they drag a little and on the wave they don't scream down the face, probably great inside the pocket of a barrel but I want the most glide possible.

So today I stopped by Fins Unlimited (Bahne Surfboards' fin factory brand) and got me a slightly smaller version (of course, red). These are comparable to M5's but solid fiberglass with no flex, so should be screamers.

Awesome board!!!! Now need to pair it with awesome fins. Will update soon. Here is a pic of the new fins:

[themathteacher]

So, Speed and Glide - Check, the new fins took care of my complaint

Took the gun out today just to test it, smallish waves but wanted to see if the fins made a different. The board dropped in much easier and was a lot faster down the line. Super stoked.

Now for some big waves...

[isaluteyou]

sounds good hope the ocean provides a proving ground