Nah, it’s the other way around. Epoxy is just physically and chemically superior. I think you’re right about flex though…it feels softer for a given schedule ie footwells, so probably does flex a bit more.
REMINDER: THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to monitor the Forums. However, THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to review any materials submitted to or posted on the Forums, and remove, delete, redact or otherwise modify such materials, in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, at any time and from time to time, without notice or further obligation to you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to display or post any materials provided by you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to disclose, at any time and from time to time, any information or materials that we deem necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, contract obligation, legal or dispute process or government request. Click on the following hyperlinks to further read the applicable Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Smaller Bead EPS?
- Thread starter Havoc
- Start date
I used to prefer EPS in small waves as well. They’re lighter and more “flicky” for quick transitions in small and mostly dumpy waves. I had a quiver of Dark Arts dedicated to small waves.
They went fine but I knew I could find something I liked more. So I had my friend Andy Prunauer at Proper Surfboards(small South Bay outfit) build me some stringerless Poly/PU/carbon boards. So far they feel great, I like that they still have the some the lightness(not as light as EPS) with 1 layer of carbon and but the drive and dampness of poly foam. I get more projection from bottom turns and they maintain speed when pumping down the line on a small wave to make sections before they closeout. I’m surprised he’s still the only one willing to do poly/carbon. Maybe the big brands just don’t want to adapt, experiment, or change their board building habits. Here are the first 3 from Andy. 6’8, 5’7, 5’4
Last edited:
I've tried just about everything and I still love a good, light EPS grovel board. I don't prefer them for bigger waves but if glassed heavily enough I can still cope.
XTR and Varial are a nice middle ground with XTR being a little more lively and Varial being a little more damp, I think. A little more or less glass depending on the intended wave size and you're good to go.
PU is still good and predictable for bigger waves, bumpy waves. It's seems kind of amazing that it's retained such a dominant spot in surfboards for this long but its not without reason.
XTR and Varial are a nice middle ground with XTR being a little more lively and Varial being a little more damp, I think. A little more or less glass depending on the intended wave size and you're good to go.
PU is still good and predictable for bigger waves, bumpy waves. It's seems kind of amazing that it's retained such a dominant spot in surfboards for this long but its not without reason.
Speaking of bead size, I was looking at some Aftermath EPS boards at a local shop a few years back and they had the biggest beads ive ever seen. Looked like a cooler at gas station. And they were glasses in mystery glassing 
You could see the jagged cuts on the foam. The guy can make some good boards but I did not like the look of those EPS
You could see the jagged cuts on the foam. The guy can make some good boards but I did not like the look of those EPS
but ruka's only got like a 60 boar quiver compared to waxurdyl's so i would take his limited experience with a grain of salt.
That and you can build them 3 times faster at a 1/3 the cost of eps/epoxy builds (and far less quirky/sensitive to just about everything)
Dark Arts says the do poly/carbon builds. They can also add kevlar to the mix.
They're currently making some for JJF.
Varial can also do them. I saw some stock carbon builds that were PU blanks. Was told the shaper wanted to try a batch. Personally, I really like the varial foam + carbon build i got recently… but YMMV or @waxurDyl ’s MMV
Last edited:
For JJF, yes….but not for average Joes like us just yet. BUT they’ve been testing and tweaking that construction, so they’re getting a lil closer to making them available to us. Told Justin I wanted another JT fish, but in poly/carbon this time. He said he’d let me know when
Last edited:
Stupid question, but would that be stringered PU or stringerless (is that even a thing?)?
What are your 3 Proctor ones?
Justin just did a podcast with Bassy on the Boardroom Show recently and said he's been experimenting with them a few different ways.
Some were poly w/ stringers, some were poly w/out stringers, some were poly with a high density EPS stringer.......and then he was playing with the lam materials and lap thicknesses.
He made it sound like the average customer could ask for a poly core based on how he was talking to Bassy. But I personally haven't inquired about it. I'm sure @waxurDyl has the most current info.
I've found the best method to truly dial in lightweight eps boards is to use an extraordinary amount of wax until I get the weight right. Too chattery? More wax! Always overwax! It's science.
I‘ve heard a similar knock against a few shapers and machine operators.