Regardless of where it comes from, surf what you feel good on

how does a big brand selling boards for $800+ compare to your local guy who makes what you want for $550-$600??

i mean they both seem to sell but why??

doggie said...

Regardless of where it comes from, surf what you feel good on

Anyone know were i can get a Miranda Ker model to surf on..That would make me feel good

JBFletch said...

how does a big brand selling boards for $800+ compare to your local guy who makes what you want for $550-$600??

i mean they both seem to sell but why??

Like CI/JS boards that are so close to popouts to customs from the likes of Dahlberg who mostly hand shapes.

I think CI & JS both have big name surfers on their boards and there is a demand for them, same as Simons and DHD. Where there is a demand like oil the price goes up not down.

crustt said...

Dalbergs are mostly computer shapes doggie, A mate from south africa was finishing them for him at ten bucks a pop a few years ago.

Any idea what he charges for his boards?

Btw my AB channel bottom is a hand shape and it was only $650.

bene313 said...

I don't mind computer shaped. In fact it's preferable. Not talking pop-outs, but I don't see anything wrong with a competent shaper using technology to the job done better.

I agree, less foam to mow etc

What Im getting at is how can a hand shape be $650 and a computer shape $800+?!? I dont care who the designer is.

doggie said...

bene313 said...

I don't mind computer shaped. In fact it's preferable. Not talking pop-outs, but I don't see anything wrong with a competent shaper using technology to the job done better.

I agree, less foam to mow etc

What Im getting at is how can a hand shape be $650 and a computer shape $800+?!? I dont care who the designer is.

Don't necessarily quote me doggie, but perhaps some of the extra costs can be contributed to the dollar outlay necessary to buy the software (CAD) and associated machinery necessary to then cut the blanks etc. I guess the hand shaper only needs a planer and a few squares etc. That said, what price do you put on the skills necessary to hand shape a board?

Point is I guess, initially at least the financial outlay for CAD etc is far greater than grabbing a foam blank and shaping it in the back shed, hence a greater RRP.

Sham1984 said...

doggie said...

bene313 said...

I don't mind computer shaped. In fact it's preferable. Not talking pop-outs, but I don't see anything wrong with a competent shaper using technology to the job done better.

I agree, less foam to mow etc

What Im getting at is how can a hand shape be $650 and a computer shape $800+?!? I dont care who the designer is.

But that's just it, some people DO care who "shaped" or designed their board

Just like some people like to wear Brand clothes.. It's the name/logo more so than the physical product

And thats why those big brands can demand the bigger sticker price, people just want their boards. I dont care who shapes my boards as long as they work.

I just find it funny that someone thinks a slater or parko board suits them because it suits a pro.
Yet you can have a local shaper (who has surfed your local waves alot) can sit down with you and produce a piece of art that rips perfect to your needs.
You get a wiked feeling and save tonnes of money.

I've worked in retail, blows me away people are happy to spend $800+ for a blank board.
Even on staff rates big name boards are over priced

I never buy boards new full stop. Latest board is Steve del rosso for 200, before that col ladhams for 110, before that steve del rosso for 300, before that dave lewis for 200.

All local (when they were built). All great boards!

PaddlePig said...

I never buy boards new full stop. Latest board is Steve del rosso for 200, before that col ladhams for 110, before that steve del rosso for 300, before that dave lewis for 200.

All local (when they were built). All great boards!

Ebay, seabreeze buy and sell and gumtree all the way. It's a surprise what one persons trash is someone elses treasure

62mac said...

The bender has been a huge hit for him

Sounds like a drink

In recent yrs I have had a combo of both. The reasons I have brought the O/S / big name is that they were in a shop and well priced when I was in urgent need (broken board etc). I have no problem buying second hand - all of my boards are second hand except for one which I got new for $500.

So for me its a price point and convenience that drives what I buy. I also like some of the shapes that some of these big shots do now - they carry loads of boards on the rack so you can get a real good idea of what you want /think may work / basis to start your decision process with. Also you can get to try stuff that you would not normally go for - e.g.: I have a sweet potato - never would have brought that board in a local shape as it would have been a restrictive second hand market for it. By going with a Firewire I knew that I would get a decent price for it if I did not like it - so it encouraged me to take a risk that I would normally not go for. Not that it bothers me now as its a keeper!!!

My last custom was an unreal board but it did not have enough foam in it for me. I was gutted. Was a little annoyed that I was not treated a bit better about it when I advised them so I sold it and picked up a CI Pod brand new on the same day for less than I sold my new custom - that had been ridden 3 times........fortunate.

I need to start pre-planning a new board shortly.....I am thinking of going back to a custom but need to really think about it due to my annoyance last time.

I think one of the biggest factors to buying 'brand name' surfboards is the abundance of information available on the internet, and i'm surprised none of you guys have mentioned it yet.

A simple google search gives you access to countless magazine reviews, surf shop reviews, videos of the board in question being ridden in various conditions by riders of varying ability and even videos of Nev, Greg Webber et al explaining the funkiness of their latest design. Then there are the countless forums worldwide where everyday surfers of all shapes, sizes and skill are sharing their experience and opinions in laymans terms on the very board you can buy off the rack down the road. Add to this the volume calculators, buyers guides etc, and your average Joe surfer has an abundance of information at his fingertips to get the board he wants.

When a bloke is shelling out his hard earned, he wants to know exactly what he's getting.

Granted a lot of the info on the web is sheer bollocks, but the buyer gets to make his mind up for himself. I imagine it can be somewhat intimidating for a novice surfer to walk into a shapers bay full of gnarly dudes and explain he wants a board to progress out of the whitewash. Then there is the sad fact that there are some shapers going around, whose people skills are unfortunately far less refined than their ability to shape a great board.

There's also the resale value. If you don't like your brand name board you can sell it on gumtree at a premium - then some other bloke googles 'Al Merrick Pod' and finds out everything he wants to know about this board and how its going to transform his surfing - before finding himself paying $600 for a second hand pop out rather than buying a new custom board from his local shaper.

Brand Name 2 - Local Shaper 0.

I made my last board. It cost about $320 all up (very messy). Personally i think buying second hand is a bit like borrowing a mates board. I like the new feeling. I don't think boards have gone up much in price when you consider how much one cost ten years ago and how much the average wage is. It seemed like a new board cost about a weeks pay. I wonder if we all bought local boards would the price go up or down?

Yeah not bad thanks Stu. It paddles well and a couple of times i've nearly fallen of the back of the board and its hung in there. It responds well and for a gun its got a bit of voloum in the tail so it makes it a bit easier to turn. I blew my shoulder skateboarding in late july and its really only been lately that ive hit the surf again. So i missed a few clean bigger swells last year. I'll get the kids to show how to up load a picture of it.