Up until 5 or 6 years ago a shaper in Manhattan Beach, California, Pat Ryan, was the North American McTavish licensee and I had many Originals and Jason Blewitts shaped by him over the years. At some point McTavish cancelled this agreement in favor of allowing GSI from Thailand (?) make the boards instead. Around that time I found a used Original shaped by Pat, used, but in EPS epoxy but with no McTavish laminates. Turns out it was my favorite longboard ever but at 2 5/8" I snapped it on a day I knew was iffy for a board that thin. I've been looking for a replacement ever since.
Lo and behold what did I find last week but another stickerless McTavish in EPS but this time a Jason Blewitt. Of course the seller had no idea what it was but I sure did. All the hallmarks of a Blewitt - boxy shortboard rails, 9'1 not 9'0, slot on bottom, pretty serious rocker, etc. I'm completely stoked.
I know you guys like this kind of stuff, photos below.
Don't know about the "slot on the bottom"..but I had a JB from McT ..a PU board..and there was no slot..here's the photo.
A guy I surfed with in the local longboard club (DV8's) had a Jason Blewitt model which is a lot like the Original with the the belly channel and it surfed very good especially in punchy beach breaks . It had heaps of rocker a small pulled in round square tail . It had more rocker than the board in those pics .
Hey nice thread. The stuff you miss sometimes.
Good work with the board. Are you sure that the board could be the original and not the Blewitt as the original is the model with all the rocker.
Post some pics off your local if you get the chance. Sure the crew would love it 
Select to expand quoteMacaha said..
North Queensland ?
and my crystal ball came up with........ whats north qld mac?
Select to expand quotechrispy said..Macaha said..
North Queensland ?
and my crystal ball came up with........ whats north qld mac?
oh his local break pictures,you know around cobra's area new user name I'm just guessing 
Select to expand quoteMacaha said..chrispy said..Macaha said..
North Queensland ?
and my crystal ball came up with........ whats north qld mac?
oh his local break pictures,you know around cobra's area new user name I'm just guessing
ya killing me mate 
Select to expand quoteMacaha said..chrispy said..Macaha said..
North Queensland ?
and my crystal ball came up with........ whats north qld mac?
oh his local break pictures,you know around cobra's area new user name I'm just guessing
Yeahhhhh ... naaaaaahhh ... champion
Thanks, sometimes the search pays off in unexpected ways. I've had Originals and Blewitts both with more rocker than this one. I posted a stickered Blewitt I found a few months ago (the ugly striped one) that had a lot more rocker than this one and I think it hurt it a bit, the board felt very dull so off it went. I think from my personal experience only the Originals are well designed for the more extreme rocker. I've had a number of Surftech Originals that I've sold and regretted. Anyway I think this new one will be better with the more relaxed rocker.
On another note about rocker I've been hunting for a board for micro size Rincon, all my longboards have too much rocker and take off too late. I bought an FCD Noseglider single fin which is so fun. Check out their website, board company founded by the son of founder of Patagonia. Incredible quality and craftsmanship. I bought a used 9'6, liked it so much I ordered a 9'2 which I get next week.
