Couple of questions for those more knowledgeable and better travelled than I.
I have an unexpected opportunity for a boat trip in Indo in a few weeks which has come out of the blue and is too good to pass up. Until now my idea of an overseas surf trip was Straddie ie never been to indo or anywhere similar. I usually ride a performance longboard (McT ufo or custom Munro before that) and have done exclusively for a few years now. This week I took delivery of a custom 8'1 that I had made for local conditions when its big and good ie beachies and sand points around head high or a bit over. This one will be coming on the trip with me but the nine foot ufo will not.
Am looking for a shorter second board to take away. What I have in mind needs to be suitable for hollow reef breaks that I probably shouldn't be trying to surf in the first place - but just in case I manage to stick a few take offs will carry me where I want to go. I want to be able to duck dive this one so was thinking traditional thruster shape around 7'6 ish with a rounded pin and plenty of rocker. I am late late late 40's, weigh in around 95 kegs but am pretty fit. The body won't do what I tell it to any more though so a little bit of width and volume will have to be in the picture. The main reason I am writing this post is that another custom at this point is out of the question - so am trying to get a bit of a handle on what I'm looking for in the classifieds - any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Also I am presuming that a travel coffin is the best way to go for safe transport of boards and gear?
Thanks
I would head down and see MC - he normally has a few quality second hand boards that would do the trick for you. No need to get a new one. A good second hand one should cost you $400ish. If you are wanting to get something around the 7'6" range just make sure it does not have a big wide asse on it as Indo waves generally have a lot more power and speed so you want a board that can handle the speed not to pick up the speed as per normal = esp when its gets big. Given your weight and that you ride a long board normally I would aim for 19.5 to 20 wide and 2 3/4 thick so you are not sacrificing too much paddle to what you are used to. Whilst the travel coffins are good they can also be annoying. Is your trip all sorted in terms of transport at each end to and from where you have to go? If so you can normally travel a bit heavier - but just do not get the board bags with wheels on as although they seem like a good idea - they are super heavy and a pain in the neck I reckon.
Have great trip and make sure you post some pics when you get back !
Are you going through Bali? If so, you could grab one when you arrive. Check out the website for Luke Studer, they have a page showing the boards in stock.
" fleagle this 7"6" did a indo tour ,its good for those fast days. depends where your going but i didnt see any longboards in sumatra.
I've had good reports on the Merrick M13's...there seem to be a few floating around second hand as well....personally I wouldn't go for anything too wide or to boxy in the rails and make sure its super fast!
I took my 9'1 to Bali just recently & only used it once out on at Tanjung rights. But I could easily have used my short board out there & did for the rest trip.....You could probably go shorter imo, something like 6'6 or 6'8. Although length can help get you into waves faster, it can also make it more difficult on a late drop or sucky wave. So width is the better option to help get in early. 20' to 21' in those lengths should be more than fine for someone 95kgs & fit...maybe a 6'6 x 20' x 2.5 with a bit of wide point forward under the chest
Thanks to all for those thoughts much appreciated.
I am actually super keen to take the ufo cos I am so familiar with it - my host is quite insistent about equipment though and in this instance I trust his judgement cos he's been to the same reefs several times before - ie "if we get there and its on you'll kick yourself if you only have a mal or mini mal...." am only likely to do this once so I'm inclined to have that base covered . As such the 8'1 will be the go to but want to have a backup which in this case will be more of a big sb.
Some good suggestions there which confirm the way I was thinking. I'm not flying into Bali so will be scouring the gumtree and local shops etc. If anyone knows of something second hand around 7'6ish by 21ish in a nice refined shape between Brisbane and Evans Head I am on the hunt. Would consider shorter (or longer) but those dims a rough start. Can see your point MickPC re shorter board but I doubt my chicken legs would keep up with a full shorty these days.
I don't post on this site all that often but do read it a lot - I am actually a bit humbled that a few crew are kind enough to take some time out of their day to post photos and share thoughts to help me out - thanks again and I'm sure the karma will be coming your way.
Take the UFO. You'll be able to pick your tides, pick your sessions... Pick off wide sets...
And if the swell fades away, you'll still have an epic time on the UFO!
I recently went on a trip to Samoa and took two boards that weren't my usual ones. Yes they were better suited but I think I may have preferred my normal shorty.
There were so many guys that were riding fish or hybrid boards, not just one complete performance boards.
If you have a look on youtube or have heard from people who have been there, Samoa is incredibly heavy waves.
Best thing to do (IMO) is stick with what you know, longboard or not.
Tom.
There is a nice mt woodgee For sale on seebreeze that woule be worth a look and great price as well imo
Never mind second hand.
www.mcsurf.com.au/products/islander-6-footers/1726/1
Take the 6'10" and then sell it to me whan you get back.
The one with red rails...thanks in advance.