I’m working on a wall hanger for the owner of Seal Beach Electric. This is a drop dead gorgeous glue up utilizing balsa, basswood, redwood, and of coarse foam. The people at US Blanks should be commended for doing an excellent job.
BTW, I spent more than 2 hours just cutting the 1/32 wood for the tail block. It is a one of a kind that emulates the stringers.
Bert and Erick enjoying the moment.
THE ANNUAL HARBOUR SURFBOARDS 2012 BOARDSWAP Presented by THE CANVAS SHOP!
Where: The Canvas Shop Lot (702 MARINA DRIVE SEAL BEACH, CA 90740
When: Saturday, May 5th, 2012/9am-2pm
What: New and used boards for sale all under $500!!
Call: (562) 430-5614 for more info and to sign up to sell one or more boards!
This is a great event to come check out new and used boards at great prices! Everything will be under $500! Also, if you have a board that you want to get rid of, then you’re more than welcome to sign up to be a part of the event! Just call us to reserve a spot! Everything must be sold at $500 or under. There will be live music, BBQ, and a raffle!
This is WHY I shape. Stuff like this sends hot blood through cooling arteries. If this thing flies anything like it looks like it will, it will be the ticket for summer fun. Razor hard rails at the tail, and very thin rails throughout. Stop the skidding please! And it should.
It will get wet this week and I’ll report on it.
We just got in a couple 9’4″ Merlins in stock this weekend! a 9’4″ will work great for someone 165-170 pounds surfing waves such as San-O, Malibu, Bolsa Chica (when it’s not closing out), Doheny, and the likes. I don’t believe we have had a single Merlin come in for the used rack…that’s just how much people like them!
Performance
Those that ride contemporary cruisers with hard, down turned rails such as the Banana, Rapier, or San-O will find that the Merlin is a great stepping stone towards a traditional 60s type log. The Merlin has a blend of a soft rail (from the 60s) and a hard rail (from today). Fun times are almost a guarantee on this one! Ride the nose, crank a turn, or set trim, this one will do it all.
We got two 9’4″ Merlins for stock. This first one has a red resin tint and a denim blue resin tint. Both wrap to the bottom and do the same design. This one is going for $980 fin included.
This second 9’4″ Merlin features a dark blue resin tint and a white opaque paint job that both wrap to the bottom and do the same design. This one is also going for $980 fin included.
Square nose, over 23 wide, super wide tail that the finished will have a slight negative curve that is about 3/4″ deep. And that’s the outline. The bottom is flat to the rails with a soft tuck hardening at the fin area. Soft “V” with Soft tunnels blending into the bottom flat. Twin Keel style fins from Futures
This thing is really a Boogie board out of foam with thin surfboard rails and Fish style fins.
Tom Morey who invented the Morey Boogie, sold all of the rights to the name “Morey Boogie” a decade or so ago. A few years ago, Tom changed his name to “Y”.
And I’m not sure of exactly why. But we decided to name this new stick “Why” anyway.
This is a replica of a 1966 Banana Model. It is a surfboard for the surfer wishing to experience the feel of one of the masterpieces of the sixties. Glide and drive are superb, while the flat rocker that we had then may give the less competent some issues. This board will make you learn to turn using proper techniques, so it is really a great teaching tool. While today’s nose designs are easier for tip time, this board will certainly do it and you will learn to do it correctly.
We have two in the shop to look at, a 9-6 yellow with clear competition band and a clear 10-0 with black and red stripes.
After bouts with osteoarthritis and pneumonia, Rich is back in his favorite place to be – the shaping bay at Harbour Surfboards.
All photos by Brian Kucera
We have a couple 1966 Bananas that we just got in stock that are looking..well, check them out for yourself! Now, you’re probably wondering what’s the difference between a “1966 Banana” and a “Classic.” I was wondering the same thing so I had Rich give me a little feedback on this “1966 Banana”. Here’s what he had to say…
We took down the 1966 Banana that was hanging on the ceiling in the shop, spent a half a day taking some measurements and made a 9’6″ and a 10’0″ for stock as seen below.
Here’s the 9’6″ 1966 Banana we made for stock. Board #30301. It has a 1″ Balsa stringer, a tail block, and some color on the hot coat to give it that old school vibe.
Dimensions:
Length: 9’6″
Tail: 15″
Wide: 22″
Thick: 3 1/4″
Nose: 17″
Price: $1,305.00
Here’s the 10’0″ 1966 Banana that we made for stock. Board# 30300. It has a 1″ Balsa stringer, a tail block, and some black and red color on the hot coat.
Dimensions:
Length: 10’0″
Tail: 15″
Wide: 22 1/4″
Thickness: 3 3/8″
Nose: 16″
Price: 1255.00
The blue “Classic” on the left is 9’10″ and the “1966 Banana” on the right is a 10’0″ but it’s close enough for a visual comparison. Notice the “Classic” has a more pulled in tail, smaller tail block, is wider at the mid-point, and wider through the nose. The “1966″ Banana has a straighter/narrower outline.
The “Classic” at 10’0″ is:
Length: 10’0″
Tail: 14 1/2″
Wide: 22 3/4″
Thick: 3 3/8″
Nose: 17 1/4″
SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON…
“Classic” Dimensions:
10’0″ x 14 1/2″ x 22 3/4″ x 3 3/8″ 17 1/4″
“1966 Banana” Dimensions:
10’0″ x 15″ x 22 1/4″ x 3 3/8″ x 16″
What can I expect out of these boards?
The “1966 Banana” is literally that…a Banana from 1966. These boards tend to have a pretty narrow and straight outline and a flatter rocker. This one will definitely set trim pretty easily. Breaking that trim, or in other words, turning this board, will be a bit more challenging than any other board in our lineup at the same length. If you have a sense of humor, then you’ll have fun on this one. And yes, it noserides but not as well as our “Noserider” model.
The “Classic” was designed in the 80′s using all of the knowledge gained through the longboard years of the 60′s, this board has the glide that was so important, and a turn that rivals the best design from that era. This one has more curve in the outline than the 1966 Banana.This is a great board for someone who wants the best of everything from those golden years.
What kind of rails do these boards have?
Both boards have 50/50 rails that are full. These boards are stable.
Where do you see these boards performing the best?
Both will perform well at San Onofre, Cardiff, or Bolsa Chica on a peaky day. Maybe Rincon, Malibu, or Trestles with nobody out! Lot’s of people in the lineup means more maneuvering around them while going down the line. These boards will not maneuver very quickly so good luck dodging the crowd at first peak, Malibu on these.
Who would benefit most from this board?
A “1966 Banana” would benefit a better-than-average surfer looking for something different and challenging.
A “Classic” would benefit an average to better-than-average surfer looking for a novelty ride that is challenging but not as challenging as the “1966 Banana”.
Basically…
Think of surfing the “1966 Banana” like driving an old Cadillac from 1966 without power steering. It’s going to take a some effort to crank a turn, it’s heavy, and you’ll probably pearl it if you take it into any waves that are fast and/or steep. However, once you get the hang of it, it’s a lot of fun!
The “Classic” is for the person looking to ride an old school log. It’ll be easier to turn and maneuver than the “1966 Banana” but it still won’t turn like a contemporary cruiser. Don’t worry, it won’t bite you!
Feel free to give us a call at (562) 430-5614 or e-mail us at contact@harboursurfboards.com and we’d be more than happy to assist you with any questions you may have.
“There may be something to be had with riding equipment that doesn’t make surfing easier. Surfing ancient equipment that is difficult to ride is an achievement in itself.”
