i've had 2 customs made by James Mitchel at Sunset Shapers in the last year and both came out great. james shaped a 6'6 single fin that works great in 3' to 10'+. the other board is a 6'4 tri-plane hull quad he just finished up. Both boards were made after a consult with James. Great boards at a good price.
Jaime Murray up in Sonoma is the man. Super friendly, lots of communication, great shaper.
Tim Gras. is a really good local shaper. there are a few others..but Tim makes good progressive boards. ( IMO)
hope you find and support a local shaper-
Turd- let someone ask a question.If you don't like it move on...
the only beat horse is YOU.
Ten thumbs up for Steve Colletta. He's in SC but up here occasionally. Plus he designs on the computer and will email ideas/designs. You get a graduate level surfboard design education along with incredible boards. Plus he does everything from start to finish so the quality control is as good as it gets.
A second vote for Jaime Murray. I am totally enjoying my new go-to board. http://headhighglassy.blogspot.com/
i can't speak to any of the others but James Mitchell at Sunset Shapers is great to work with and really knows OB.
i've gotten two boards made by him and both have been exactly what i wanted. if you want a consult call up the shop and see when he will be around the shop and go down and chat.
Depends on the type of board and your style.
James Mitchell at Sunset Shapers is really good. IMO he's very underrated. He's a pleasure to work with and will teach you a lot along the way if you work with him in the process. I met him about a year ago, shaped a board with him and LOVE it! 7'4 single fin wing pin for 4-15ft surf. Comes alive in bigger stuff. James is a SF local shaper with OB knowledge and shapes many styles of boards. Check him out!
If you want a very high performance board, Steve Coletta in SC is less talked about but absolutely top notch. His shapes are very progressive and his rails are buttery. He's amazing if you are looking for a very responsive board.
I've only had experiences with them, Greg Griffin, Larry Mabile, Rich Pavel, Geoff Rasche and Gary Linden for custom Boards.
I'd stay with a local shaper and bring in boards you like. Have them build something for you based on the wave you are surfing. (OB waves are very different than SC waves)
Is Schultze still shaping? I've got this goofy 5'10" 3-stringer quad fish from him. Beautiful design but way too heavily glassed & not enough rocker for the Beach's closeouts for this kook.
The only problem with that fish, in my opinion, is that it's not wide enough. Couple inches wider, and it'd be a real fish and fully functional even given the (lack of) rocker. Paddles like a sinker, kinda a bummer.
They're pricey, but highly recommend Stretch boards. Not only will he hook you up with the shape you're looking for, but his boards are also built to last - easily 2+ times the lifespan of a most others, particularly out at OB.
James Mitchell Sunset Shapers cause he is a rad dude. He'll even teach you to shape your own board.
James for the win. I got my first glimpse into his process here: http://blog.bloosee.com/2012/02/28/bloosee-with-james-mitchell-of-sunset...
@ Squid Lips, what board did Jamie shape for you?
And remember, the glasser that the shaper uses is instrumental in choosing a 'local' shaper too. Jamie uses Tony Mikus at Almar Glass Works, the same Michel Junod uses in SC.
Here's my Log, again.
ok ok, keep your shirt on Maraklar. Can I do a Romney reset and say "perhaps I spoke enelegantly". What I meant to say is, wasn't this topic just recently discussed? Anyway, +1 Markler for not using large and multi colored text to express your considerable anger and hate. And how come no one has mentioned good old Doug Haut for custom work?
I like Dave Vernor, got my next board scoped out. I will take 3/4 off the nose, 1/4 off the middle, add a little more front entry rocker, poly blank, epoxy resin, E glass, 6 oz cloth, 5 fin boxes and all for around $500 not bad.
http://www.vernorsurfboards.com/surfboards.html#
+1 for Steve Colletta. He'll definitely listen to your input about what you like and don't, what you want your new board to do. He's excited about surf board design, and it comes across in his communications (email, phone, in person) and wants you to be stoked on your new board.
+5 for James at Sunset Shapers. Shaped my 5'10" mini-simmons quad with him and added in rail/love handles, concave bottom, Jobson-inspired bat tail and carbon fiber deck inlay. Plus love the fact that he let me do a little twist on his Los Olas logo...
Add Danny Hess to the list. You can go eps with a wood top and get a board for about the same as a custom eps with some added durability, don't have to go the full wood.
I've also a good experience with Ward Coffey. Used to get boards from Steve Coletta back in the 90's and respect his experience for sure-if you want a high performance shortie he is great.
Vernor does boards quick and for a good price since I think he does it all in house and has some neat shapes.
Damn I wish I had more $ money I would like boards from every guy named in this thread!
I've got 3 Tim Gras boards. Super fun. He checks out what you like, own, your size, style, types of waves you surf, etc. Just how it should be done.
