Help Narrow MiniMal Selection

[phillwilson]

Hi all,

Well I have been out and done my research..

I have weighed up all of the opinions i could find on epoxy / Glassed , loca vs popout etc and I have decided CASH is the main factor. I dont have much of it, and what I do have has to work for me med/long term.

So I have found the following packages and would appreciate any comments on QUALITY and VALUE and EXPERIENCES of the following boards, i know its going to be one of them ...but which!!

please bare in mind with all these that things like a bag and leash are kinda more important then they may first seem..there is no more money after this budget..this is a one off purchase for me.

BIC - 7.9 Natural Surf - £220 inc board bag , leash , fins , wax and comb...ok i know the basic rap of this one but is it really too heavy? is it a good deal at this price point as a full setup?


NSP - 7.10 Funboard £290 inc fins ...ok this seems to be the main rival, but how much better is it for the money considering i would need nearly another £100 of accessories to match the bic?

COTEZ 8ft £295 inc Bag Lad and Fins - I REALLY like the design of this but can find little info on how they surf , especially in comparison to above boards,will i see any benefits besides avoiding the rap of riding on a bic?.

Hawaian Soul 8ft - £300 fins -would be right at the limit of my budget when a bag and lead are added on, but i cant do without em...might be swayed to look into it if someone was to say they had the ride of their life on one or something...

ok thats it, over to your expertise and kindness... thanks to all who have the endurance ot read this far. much obliged, I dont ever want to be the newbie who darent ask questions and goes to see on a right munter of a log!!

Ta
Phill

at my level I don't see something as damageable as a hand shaped board working for me s

[Jimi]

I personally haven't surfed any of them, but my mate learned on an NSP funboard abour 7'8 long, and it was fine. Seemed to be pretty durable, and he never bothered putting it in a bag (I guess he figured it didn't need the protection!).

The only time he damaged it was when it was dropped from under his arm onto the rail... put a crack in it that was repaired with a smear of epoxy resin.

As you say, cost is the main factor, and none will give you the same kind of ride a custom board will give, so I'd just get the cheapest.

[phillwilson]

thanks for that Jimi, I appreciate all input.

I figure I'm going to try some out locally and maybe not buy til the winter.

I tried a Bodygolve 8' board and really liked it. felt more like a "real board" then a bic.

[justloafing]

Here is my opinion on your situation. Since you want a board that is going to last you in the medium to long term and not a lot of money I would stay away from Bic and NSP. The others I don't know about but if they are "starter boards" I would stay away from those too. If you go to any surf shop and if they are honest they will steer you away from those boards. Go get a good second hand board that will probably cost as much as the ones you listed. Go talk to a shaper in your area and ask him what you want and will work for you in the area. Yes the Bic and NSP are tough as nails but they are "starter boards" If you don't want to advance much then go for it. If you want a board that you can learn on but will also work with you as you get better get a decent board.

[phillwilson]

hi thanks for that advice.......all other comments greatly appreciated too.

think im going to continue to rent stuff until i find something that just works.

I play guitar and can remember how many acoustics i had ot go thruogh til i found one with the right voice for my style. expensive mistakes to make for sure.

i may well combine parts of the differant advice i have been given...buy a second hand bic/nsp something i wont be to precious of...go at it on that this season which im sure will still leave me well and truly in "beginner" teritory..then trade thatone in at s resonable loss back to the second hand marked and add a bit of cash i may have by next year to get something still second hand but that rides and turns better and feels more "surfy"

ta

Phill