Point Blanks and epoxy boards: input needed

[peterslovo]

I need to replace my longboard - one ding too many. It was one of my favorite go-to boards for almost any condition, a 9'2 Robert August Wingnut II rounded pin tail.

With the shifting towards epoxy, I'm interested in trying either a SurfTech/Boardworks or a Point Blanks. I do like the work that goes into a handcrafted board (which I think Point Blanks does), but am not totally ruling out the SurfTechs. I am into the environmental thinking of Point Blanks too.

I'm interested in a Point Blanks longboard, the traditional or rounded pin 9'0 (leaning towards the rounded pin). Also considering a Walden Pro or Magic 3 (both epoxy).

I know Hop has a couple Point Blanks, and SoCalTele just got a PB step-up gun. How do you guys like your boards in terms of the feel of epoxy vs. traditional materials?

Anyone else finding epoxy boards way different, better, worse?

[cj001f]

Point Blanks does custom shapes - why not have them build something the same dimensions (or similar) as your Robert August? Can't tell you much else about them - I went in to order one last week but balked when I found their custom shape backlog is 8-10 weeks currently

[peterslovo]

Point Blanks does custom shapes - why not have them build something the same dimensions (or similar) as your Robert August? Can't tell you much else about them - I went in to order one last week but balked when I found their custom shape backlog is 8-10 weeks currently

8-10 weeks!? Ugh.

Good suggestion: one reason I am considering the Blanks 9'0 RP is that it is quite similar in dimension to the 9'2 RA, but a bit more gunny at the tip. I've considered just having a local shaper "remake" the RA (probably a lot less cost too), but wanted to try a different material and something that might be considered more "green" than traditional materials.

[Superstar Punani]

Generally I like epoxies for their added strength/durability. They don't pressure-ding or crack as easy as the usual fiberglass boards, which can be brittle. The only hassle is if you do a DIY epoxy ding repair, it's much more of a hassle than a standard one.

Epoxies are also generally lighter. If you surf a lot of choppy conditions or prefer the solid drivey feel of a heavier board then you're not gonna get it.

SurfTech are pieces of shit. I've tried them and just can't get used to the added buoyancy, weightless feel, and general lack of momentum/drive. On choopy or onshore conditions they feel pretty squirrely. The only conditions they're good in is if it's flat-small/mushy.

[peterslovo]

Generally I like epoxies for their added strength/durability. They don't pressure-ding or crack as easy as the usual fiberglass boards, which can be brittle. The only hassle is if you do a DIY epoxy ding repair, it's much more of a hassle than a standard one.

Epoxies are also generally lighter. If you surf a lot of choppy conditions or prefer the solid drivey feel of a heavier board then you're not gonna get it.

SurfTech are pieces of shit. I've tried them and just can't get used to the added buoyancy, weightless feel, and general lack of momentum/drive. On choopy or onshore conditions they feel pretty squirrely. The only conditions they're good in is if it's flat-small/mushy.

SuPu thanks. I beat the shit out of all my boards from being a clutz and loving rock reefs - another reason I am considering epoxy. I've had to actually add layers of fiberglass to some of my lighter glassed boards to make them more rock and "pete" proof. I don't do well with lightly glassed boards.

The feedback on the SurfTechs is good to hear as well. I might see if I can demo one but have consistently heard about their unresponsiveness. Shame. I am in love with a 6'9 Ben Aipa Retro Stinger (a Boardworks epoxy) I saw at a local shop recently....

[cj001f]

8-10 weeks!? Ugh.

That was in town walk up; I'm not sure if long distance is different. Stock shapes were 3-5 weeks.

[TBski]

I have had a pointblanks Little Big Easy for 4 years ,it has been on many planes and boats here and trips to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mex , it was purchased in HI, it has taken a lot of abuse/rocks/heads/boards and has held up great. It surfs nice with enough drive and sweet glide and is pretty responsive and subtle for a 9'0 plus it does not have that surftech"hollow" feel.
Fletcher is cool to deal with and Patagonia is a responsible business...ohh yeah and there boards barely yellow with age
Sure is exciting thinking about boards to buy.....

[Atrain505]

All I know is epoxies are so much more durable its not even funny. All my boards will be some version of epoxy from now on.

[SoCalTele]

I have a 6'6" point blanks step-up gun. the board is amazing. blows those surftech shit out the window.

[Alkasquawlik]

SurfTech are pieces of shit. I've tried them and just can't get used to the added buoyancy, weightless feel, and general lack of momentum/drive. On choopy or onshore conditions they feel pretty squirrely. The only conditions they're good in is if it's flat-small/mushy.

Ditto. Flex in a board is nothing you think about until you get on an pop-out and notice how fucking stiff they are. They turn like shit and if the waves are in anyways steep, fast or hollow get ready to surf like poo.

[webb]

I've been riding my 9'0" triditional for 6 years, so about 200-250 days on it. dings haven't been that hard to repair, and I've been on my board longer than anyone else I know. and it's way more fun than any other longboard I've ridden (mctavishes, augusts, beckers, even tylers).
















so yeah, I guess I'd recommend one.

[snwbdrhoon]

All I know is epoxies are so much more durable its not even funny. All my boards will be some version of epoxy from now on.

i have a 7'6" surftech Channel Islands. surfs great. all i can say is that i am really happy to have the option of either traditional foam or epoxy.

i have not tried a Point Blank, but if it is truly made with the same Patagonia ethos, i will definitely be moving in that direction as the impact on the environment scares me.

[hop]

I dig my quiver. The 7'2" rocket sled just survived 4.5 months at sea including chicken buses, water taxis, sea turtles, two flights, and other assorted hoohaw with nary a scratch. It has yellowed noticeably in the 3 years I've had it, but I guess that's normal? My newest board (6' Quark bought last summer) is still blindingly white.

I can't say how they ride compared to other boards but I did notice the "standard construction" board I borrowed from Brocktoon in July during one of the predawn Black's sessions had a very solid feel compared to the RS. I don't know the dimensions of the borrowed board though, so that's not very helpful. I did get one of my best rides of the year on it, and while most of it was the wave, part of that may have been the board.

Long story short = I have no clue what I'm talking about. Again.

[Free Range Lobster]

SurfTech are pieces of shit. I've tried them and just can't get used to the added buoyancy, weightless feel, and general lack of momentum/drive. On choopy or onshore conditions they feel pretty squirrely. The only conditions they're good in is if it's flat-small/mushy.

Agreed and seconded.

Surftech = shit.

[Dudley]

Props to that Wingnut II. Does yours have the Hatchet Fin as well? Love that stick for small days or bigger days when you need to be the first one on the wave... As posted here before, the stiffness and feel of surftech boards are total crap. Epoxy is a solid alternative though the repair proccess is somewhat more intensive.

One thought not mentioned here is simply getting a stick that has been double glassed. I just had that done on a retro fish (by Wynn) and it has held up throughout the better part of a year with lots of days on it (from knee to overhead blacks). The weight difference wasn't too large but the durability has been excellent. Good luck!

[MidwayJ]

Epoxy shortboards, for the most part = POP OUTS!

Wanna draw a clean line? Sorry, I'm going to pop out on you so you'll lose all your speed and bog. Wave ruined.

Need to lay down a big bottom turn to get around that section? Sorry, I'm going to pop out on you so you can watch the whitewater blow past you and eat reef.

Epoxy longboards are passable, but if you're looking for performance, get a tradtional blank with some flex.

On a related note, I was in the shop yesterday checking out the new Firewires, and the shop guy put one down on the floor, then proceeded to jump on it three times. I gasped in horror, but it just flexed, then bounced back to its original shape. Fucking things are sick, but is there such a thing as too much flex?