softop board review

by **moose1975** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:34 am

I am very new to surfing and am looking for a used longboard. I found a 9 ft used one for sale near me, called a Softop SurfTech. Does any one have any thoughts on this board? Pros/cons? Is it suitable for a beginner? The three times I have surfer in the past I have rented, and the rentals were long (8-10f) foam-like boards. From the photos it seems like this one is rubbery foam on top and fiberglass on the bottom. I really welcome any advice

**Sponsor**

by **RJD** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:38 am

Dont go anywhere near it.

Foamies are ok for your first 2 weeks of playin in whitewater but dont give you much more help than that.

There far to floaty & clubersome & bend when you catch proper waves. Fine for a surf school to get people on their feet is all.

At a push buy a bic or NSP popout (second hand) to learn on then move to a proper glassed custom board.

by **moose1975** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:45 am

I wish I could figure out how to insert a photo. It seems like there is just an inch of rubber-foam on top and the rest looks like fiberglass. Nothing like the rental ones. Still think I should steer clear?

by **RJD** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:49 am

yes.

Stear...clear.

BTW right click the picture, select properties, copy the link/url/address, or just post the link to the item here.

by **moose1975** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:23 am

thanks..I really appreciate the feedback. :lol:

by **jethrodog** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:05 am

A Softtop Surftech is NOT a foamie. It is an epoxy surfboard that is covered on the top with a softer rubber-like surface. You don't need to wax it, which a lot of beginners don't know how to do, and it is softer when you wipe out and get hit by it, which lots of beginners do. But it is an epoxy surfboard, just like other epoxy boards, not a foamie. They are heavy, but they surf quite decent. I have one for my wife, she surfs it every time we are in Costa Rica. She uses both my 8.5 epoxy and her 9.5 Softtop. She finds the softtop easier to surf. They are very easy to catch waves on and super stable. Hard to do cut backs and sweeper turns, but lets face it, you aren't going to be doing any of those for a little while when you are starting out. And they are nearly indestructible. Plus, they hold their value really well, especially in the USA. Really hard to find a used one in California, and you pay top dollar if you find one in good condition. Even after you get better it is nice to have a big log to go out and catch some slop waves with.
Check out the website www.surftech.com get some education about the board straight from the source.
If it is in good condition and a good price, I would buy it. I don't think you will be sorry.

by **isaluteyou** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:14 am

wow didnt know they made board like that :lol:

A hybrid foamie :lol:

by **boco rio** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:59 am

Why buy something that will limit your ability to learn. My first board was a G&S 7'2" egg that I surfed for several years. Get a good board and you won't be sorry.

by **rich r** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:52 pm

If you can't figure out how to wax a board....

(yes, I'm being a snobby elitist)

by **moose1975** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:56 pm

Maybe I will give it some thought after all. I hope that when I get more serious about surfing I will maybe upgrade and yes, learn how to wax a board :wink:

A surf shop here suggested a NSP 7.6 board...will that be too short for a dead beginner? (Im 5ft 3" adn 125 lbs~not sure if height adn weight make a difference or not).

by **moose1975** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:11 pm

another question, do you need to wax NSP boards?

by **surfsc77** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:01 am

id say for your size, a 7.6 would be fine for a beginner. nsp's float real well so there shouldnt be any problem. i learned on a much smaller used nsp, it was a great value and i sold it for almost exactly the same price i paid for it. Great resale value. after ( or if ) you get tired of the nsp you can sell it for a real board. i kept my nsp for 2 years, learned to stand up and turn on waves on it, then sold it. yeah you have to wax them, and a base coat would be good since there epoxys. waxing surfboards requires almost no knowledge, dont be intimidated lol. if you can wash a window or a plate, you probably have enough motor skills to wax a board. just get out in the water and enjoy it!

by **RJD** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:11 am

Everyone knows NSP's need to be waxed in a counter clockwise direction.

by **northswell** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:16 am

Depends which hemishere you in, if your in the south its clockwise. :lol:

by **RJD** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:18 pm

I am in the south. Its just our clocks go the other way around.

softop board review

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