Hey all,
Long time browser first time poster. Im in south east Queensland and I am looking for a new longboard. I'm riding a 9'1 mctavish fireball at the moment and absolutely love it but I am looking for a more traditional log for smaller days with nose riding it's primary objective. I'd also love to be able to knee paddle it, I'm 6'1 and 90kgs and the fireball just sinks when I try. Just wondering what everyone though I should be looking for dimensions and model wise, or if anyone had a big old log they are trying to offload. I don't have money for a new one otherwise I'd walk into McT and by a huge redline I think.
Thanks fellas, cooz.
62Mac is selling Vander's Redline for cheap. Awesome condition, and would be big enough for you to knee paddle. Problem solved... You get a McTavish, Knee Paddler, Nose Rider, for cheap! 
Just kidding, the board isn't for sale!
But at 90 kegs I wouldn't worry about knee paddling. Looks cool when the lightweights do it, but us guys around 90ish are a little bit top heavy. Plus it means you have to go a bit wider and a bit thicker than you really need once you are surfing.
Stick with the 9'1. But try and sniff out a cheap Redline. They are a good blend between old and new.
PS - Welcome aboard!
And to any other lurkers out there, just log-in and start talking crap with the rest of us!
Coozy,
You could also consider a 9'6 Fireball. Even 9'8.
Even better, a blue tint Noosa 66, 9'8. Go on, I dare you! http://www.mctavish.com.au/surfboards-buy/traditional-logs/noosa-66/noosa-66-18766
Boofy's mate was out on Sunday on a 12 footer catching everything.
Obct,your eyes must be better than mine,I could only see a few dings.
550 not a bad buy without seeing it in the fresh.
If you haven't ridden a soft railed log it wouldn't be a bad idea to try and have a ride on one. They are usually heavier and flatter and surf a lot more different to your Fireball. I've seen a lot of guys get logs and they end up not liking them because they can be very limited . A Redline isn't a true log because they have and edge around the tail but would be a good step coming of a Fireball because it's a more versatile board. If you really want to knee paddle you can go a bit longer or wider. Give the guys at McT a call.
What SMH says about soft rails boards is very true, they can be rather one dimensional.
If you have the desire to make the board work on more of the wave, at some point between the tip and the tail, those rails need to harden up.
I agree whole-heartedly with obct and smh.....I hated my traditional log.....was fun on small fat days but pretty soon you were wanting the board to perform a lot better than it could. I found it almost boring to surf after a while. If you just want to crusie and hang on the nose they are fun but get something with a bit of edge on it in the back part of the board and things change nicely.
12 weeks out of the water for me now 1 week to go going to Whitsundays for 10 days no surf there
but inlaws are paying
12 weeks out of the water for me now 1 week to go going to Whitsundays for 10 days no surf there but inlaws are paying
12 weeks out of the water for me now 1 week to go going to Whitsundays for 10 days no surf there but inlaws are paying
I have got 1 week of mayhem left then I have 3 months of arvo shifts and summer midweek surfs before it starts again.
Yeah I feared the above about knee paddling to be true. Good advice fellas im gonna go rent something as described before I keep looking! I really do wish I had the money for a new redline square tail they look soo nice!
So, bit late in posting the outcome of my search but hopefully you'll all forgive me. I wound up buying a 2nd hand creative army sweet love (shaped by josh constable up at noosa). 9'8x23x3 and it is an absolute weapon. Its super lively off the tail and noserides like an absolute dream. Exactly what i was after. Definitely check him out if you havent already!
Congrats on the new stick Coozman. He makes some nice boards alright. She is a nice looker. How does that swallow tail go? I imagine its a lot nice than the big ugly fat square I had on my old log. Any picks of the rails - especially the last third of the board?
Looking forward to seeing some action shots !
When i got it in the water i couldnt believe how lively that tail is its insane 10" hatchet and it holds on the nose incredibly well. I'll definitely be getting a custom from him next year. Ill get some more photos up later in the week.
