I picked up my new custom from Dan on Tuesday:
8'7" x 27 3/4" x 4 1/2" approx 102 litres
Dan has officially started producing custom SUPs comercially under the 'DTM' branding. I have been riding his customs for about six months now and this is the 3rd interation of a 'shortboard SUP' design. Compared to my last 'green machine', it features a slightly more pulled in tail, more nose rocker, thinner rails and fins moved forward slightly.
The idea behind the design is to create a SUP that will have similar characteristics to a shortboard in that it will be very lively, loose but with good drive through turns. It is designed for waves in the 1 - 10 foot face range from fat to sucky.
I have had 3 surfs so far, one in a weak short period swell beach break and 2 in similar conditions over reef - all in waves about waist to shoulder height.
Paddling and stability is slightly compromised compared to my last one but is to be expected with the reduced volume in the rails, tail and overall. Interestingly it is easier to pop over whitewater on and still paddles quite well, stability is fine even with the water lapping my ankles on occasion. In extreme wind on my second surf it was more difficult but was to be expected.
Surfing this board so far seems to be on another level to previous designs. It has great drive off the bottom and is very easy to initiate turns - I have found myself pushing too hard on occasion as I'm not quite used to such a responsive design and it feels a little like the last time I rode my shortie where I had to back off on turns.
The result of this is that it takes very little effort to snap back in the pocket or launch over the whitewater and maintains speed through turns - even after a 180 degree direction change. Bottom turns so far have felt very easy to initiate although the biggest face I've had was shoulder high - can't wait to get it in a bit of size.
Although I haven't had lefts (backhand) as yet, I suspect it will be quite easy to surf backhand on due to the ease of turning.
It's a good sign when a new board feels good from the outset especially in less than ideal conditions. Below are some pics and there is a video on the main forum page. I'll update this when I get it in a bit of size.
Cheers
Nice review Goaty and great board Dan. I can't wait to have a go.
BTW - which one of you two is responsible for that hideous attempt at the deck grip?
all John mate is 1oo% recycled deck grip of old boards to funny it actually turned out good considering
when u back from holidays?
John,
Out of interest, have you ever had a chance to test ride the Jimmy Lewis Mano Boards?
Hi jg, no I haven't but have seen a few pics of the Jimmy Lewis and really like the look of em - nice planshape and rocker. The smallest is 9'4" though isn't it, plus the weight of a pop out can never compete with a custom until it's well overhead and this board (DTM) is designed for up to 5 foot (10 foot face) and for comps.
It's interesting to check em side by side like that but remember the JL is 9 inches longer and therefore has a much straighter outline so I doubt that even with the amount of rocker it has that it would turn in as tight an arc. Maybe they should do a smaller version.
9 footers is stll a long board to me hilly i could hang ten on that!
I no personaly how fussy john and myself are and wouldnt go near a board over 7 kilos for our wave conditions over hear in sydney and for the comps we compete in.
Also these boards are 100% custom made to suit the indivisual rider not massed produced to suit a varied range of weights abilitys and styles. This board is hand made just for the goatman and exactly what he is trying to get out of a sup.
Would like to see you hang ten on the 9 footer lol
Cranky the light weight ones like mine and Johns are actually tough as nails i have an old one which is 1 year old and has travelled to Png and all over with me(and surfed 4 to 6 times a week) it was under 6 kilos like really super light and has held up really well, even the deck which i expected to pressure dig around the standing area didnt.
I stoped riding it about 4 months ago when Goatman had a demo of it and decided he wouldnt give it back so i had to do a newy! Goatie surfs more than anyone and hes been smashin it in 1 to 8 foot and its held up fine. But now hes got an updated version so hes loving that one.
Well the great thing is with custom you can do as strong a glass job as you want or as light as you like whatever you fancy.
Dan
Hilly all good mate im sure you no exactly what you want in a sup with your abilty im sure you no what your after, just like when you order a shortboard you no in your head the rough design you are after and what you need in a board. Im sure some custom sup shapers will pop up in W.A soon enough for you to check out .
Dan
Hilly,
Easy to make blanks yourself. Sent me a PM if you want and I talk you through it. I am sure the materials would be easily available in Perth.
Regards,
sCOTTY
Great to see goatman just won the lastest SPSC bi monthly comp on his new board well done mate good to see your ripping!!!!
and a vid from the day
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/spsc-comp-2-vid/
