Just thought i'd show you this. Thinking very seriously of getting one as i was keen on the vanguard shapes but then started reading about the oval shapes (thanks colas for all your info!) that don't seem that popular here in oz. I just can't justify the huge amount of extra $$ for the vans. If you have it good luck to yourself but I save any extra overtime etc to the sup fund and it takes awhile to get a new board. To answer your question see the below screen shots from the surfboard warehouse. Cheers Whitey
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obviously vanguards have come down heaps already. have a look a this cut and pasted from the banner above on this site
Re your kevlar question. Does Kevlar even make a big difference? For Sups not really, decent Sups already have 3-4 layers of materials top and bottom that wrap round the the rails. This creates 6-8 layers on the rails, which by nature creates parabolic rail stringers that create stiffness and strength. How much more strength do you need? Kevlar and Carbon are only of value if glassed correctly resulting in two important things,added strength at a reduced weight.
Select to expand quoteOldDudeu said..
obviously vanguards have come down heaps already. have a look a this cut and pasted from the banner above on this site
Re your kevlar question. Does Kevlar even make a big difference? For Sups not really, decent Sups already have 3-4 layers of materials top and bottom that wrap round the the rails. This creates 6-8 layers on the rails, which by nature creates parabolic rail stringers that create stiffness and strength. How much more strength do you need? Kevlar and Carbon are only of value if glassed correctly resulting in two important things,added strength at a reduced weight.
Plus , Vangard shape does'nt get so much paddle banged cause of its narrow and straight outline
quite the opposite of the pointed nose type of board as the Bam Bam.
Yeah, cheers for all that. I read in a magazine that some Vanguards were made of Kevlar. I thought it wasnt accurate so I asked here.
Yeah, I've been told the vangaurd shape is better for paddling and also more responsive than other shapes.
On the same note of Vanguard design Slater had a vanguard looking thing at the quiky pro. Wonder if he will be doing anymore with that shape now he is the big kahuna at Firewire.
Kevlar rails does not add to structural stiffness, they are here to prevent ding damage as they are literally bulletproof (as in: used in bulletproof vests).
They are great on carbon boards as carbon is very tough but brittle and can be easily damaged by hits on hard objects.
Gong uses them too, and the impact resistance added is truly phenomenal. But they add weight, around 500g for a 7' board. So some high-performance prototypes do not have them to save weight.
