Epoxy Boards

[hit_the_lip]

How many of you surf eps epoxy boards (not tuflite)? I watched the Huntington Beach contest over the weekend and was noticing a large number of pro's (Kolohe, Jordy, Kelly) are surfing epoxy boards.

For me, I've always surfed traditional (poly) fiberglass boards, since I started surfing 7 years ago. I've been hesitant to change materials, because surfing is about feel to me, and if a board feels weird and different, I'm not sure I would like it. And, if I have to adjust to the new material I don't want a learning curve and a dropoff in my surfing. But the pro's were ripping on the epoxy, obviously, lol. Kolohe said his epoxy board went insane. But I've heard mixed reviews on eps from non pro surfers. Some people love them, others loathe them.

How many of you surf epoxy boards? Notice any draw backs? When you made the switch, was there a learning curve, or not? Which do you prefer poly or eps? The epoxy boards have definitely tweaked my interest. Thanks for sharing

[pandarturo]

I had an eps longboard, I didn't like it it had way too much flex because of lack of stringer, I mean don't get me wrong some shapers use eps with carbon fiber rails like the futureflex series or they will just run CF all the way through the middle where the stringer should be. As far add how they ride they are super light and flex differently so it just depends on your preference just see if one if your friends had one and try that out lol.

[drowningbitbybit]

I didn't like it it had way too much flex because of lack of stringer

Interesting - the usual complaint about epoxy boards is that they don't flex enough
All the epoxy shortboards I've ridden have felt stiffer than a normal board - although having said that I'm not really convinced that I'm good enough to distinguish between a stiff and a bendy board in the water, but they do definitely feel "different".

There should be no drop off in surfing ability or a new learning curve to go through - at least no more than you'd get if you changed normal boards anyway.

[pandarturo]

Really you find them more stiff? Maybe I'm going crazy lol. I recently tried a future flex hayden shape it was super flexy. Too weird for me lol

[drowningbitbybit]

Really you find them more stiff?

Yeah, epoxy is much stiffer - hence no need for a stringer. Not sure how that'll balance out over a longboard though where there's a lot more room to flex

[pandarturo]

Yeah that might be it lol it just felt so wobbly

[IB_Surfer]

I haven't bought a PU board for the past 6 years. I'm a heavy 200lb shortboarder, my PU shortboard was 6'5, my epoxy is 6'2 ( had a 6'1 also).

Not as stiff as a tufflite but stiffer than PU, I actually like that. The tufflights are bouncy when it's choppy, the hand shaped epoxy are not as much.

The reason some still like PU better is that they usually have more flex, so more forgiving in chop and the effect on turns is like you are loading the turn. For me, the stiffness of the epoxy means it shoots up the wave when I pivot and easier snaps since it weighs less.

So yeah, I'm a believer, but its' a personal preference for most of us.

[dtc]

I think epoxy got a bad name from the tufflite/bic type boards early on, and being associated with pop outs, but nowdays epoxy boards are much more sophisticated. But a lot of people still have their early impressions and may never have tried an epoxy board since.

However, epoxy is harder to shape than PU boards (more equipment required), meaning that most custom shapers will stick with PU for the near future. PU is also something that people are used to, understand and are comfortable with. PU does have drawbacks - eg the fibreglass is often either too soft or too brittle (hard but shatters).

Epoxy is going to be (in my opinion) much more the way of the future, because it is generally tougher and more resiliant and lighter. Board manufacturing will slowly move out of backyard shaping into more automated larger scale factories. This doesnt mean the death of shapers, but the design will be done on the computer and fed into a shaping maching, rather than being done by hand; and the board is more likely to be epoxy or a non-fibreglassed variant. Potentially factories will charge 'per board', meaning you turn up (electronially) with your computer file (from your design or your shaper etc) and feed it in to the machine and pay the owner your $400 or whatever and the board appears at the other end and is shipped off to you. Not sure how the super spray job gets done, I'm sure that can be in there somehow.

Epoxy sounds quite different when you are on the water - instead of sounding like what happens when you tap a wooded table (dull low sound), sounds like tapping a plastic glass (hollow high sound). Then again, I'm sure that was because I was surfing a rental board and wasnt useto it and noticing all of the differences. After a while you probably get used to the difference.

[drowningbitbybit]

Epoxy sounds quite different when you are on the water

Ha, I never consciously noticed that before, but you're absolutely right.

The epoxy boards sound a lot more slappy on the water (and not just because they are more slappy on the water).

[Rickyroughneck]

A lot of this "flex" business is in the mind.

[Surf Hound]

I prefer the PU for the feel but love the EPS for durability. I was talking to my old shaper the other day and he said the feel comes from the EPS core more than the epoxy resin. I was having my EPS boards bamboo laminated which gave them a very similar feel to the PU. I liked it a lot but mostly for the durability. If I based everything just off of feel and ride I would go PU. As it is, I typically have 4-5 boards and 3 out of the 5 will be PU and 2 EPS. The EPS boards I tend to keep 2 to 3 times longer than PU. I think just because they hold up so well

[hit_the_lip]

I ordered a new board last week. I just couldn't bring myself to order it in epoxy. I couldn't do it. Maybe next time. One of these days I will venture out of the poly/glass comfort world that I know.

[IB_Surfer]

Plus they are are more expensive in epoxy.

Don't forget to post a pic when she's done

[oldmansurfer]

I have an 8 foot epoxy board not quite a shortboard but I use it like one. My only problem is I haven't ever used epoxy resin and don't feel comfortable doing my own ding repairs.

[gilbo]

Just started surfing a 7S quad super fish about 6 months ago, went from a 6'10 glass board to a 6'3 epoxy, paddles the same! Easy to duck dive, but turns much more easily, great in surf Fromm about 3' to 6', love it!!

[benjl]

What are your thoughts on epoxy for newbies? Or how much would epoxy bring a board down in size compared with a board of equal flotation in fiberglass?
I've got a 6'2 fish that I'm enjoying but ideally would like something with the paddle power of around 7ft but without having to feel like I'm turning my mini mal.
Would an epoxy board of my fish length and dimensions provide this?

[jaffa1949]

Some epoxies are more floaty others are not epoxy is only the description of the type of glass job with epoxy resin.
The different foams under the glass job determine flotation. Vacuum bagging what coats and other construction methods also determine flex and other characteristics.
More floaty boards have as I see it, one problem, you have to keep drive on the board throughout the turn and in planing otherwise it corks out!

The short answer is yes, some epoxy board can give you more float in a shorter board. It is a trade for different characteristics of ride!

[IB_Surfer]

Epoxy for newbies: because epoxy foam is more brittle shapers usually use more cloth, which is why they are stiffer, but also more durable. So yes to epoxy for newbies but with one condition: if you ding it in the water get it out of the water asap, they soak in water like a sponge and can damage the integrity of the foam if not dried right away, other than that go for it. They are, however, more expensive, so I expect more beginners on PU

[whyme]

Just been told my new Pyzel JPX is ready after 6 weeks, and then I was told by the way its made out of EPS foam not PU; the shaper said its ok you won't see the difference it looks like a PU, you wouldn't know if I didn't tell you, it has a stringer and is better, trust me...

I said ok, I will pick it up in two days time (being today), but after reading on the web there is a difference......and not sure if I want it.

I want this board for Indo.. have i done the right thing, or should I change (which might be to late now as the store owner put the back grip on it)

[jaffa1949]

The board will be fine in Indo, really you should talk fully about what you want in board construction before you commit to having one made. You can of course still refuse to buy it.
If you like the idea of the shape. Then go ahead, if you have never surfed epoxy, then how do you know if you won't like it!