Exotic Designs Surfboards - 11’ Retro Gentleman’s Gun

Your Name: Ken Moore

Your Brand name: Exotic Designs Surfboards

How did you hear about us? HDX surfboards, Brenden Burgner, Swaylocks.com

How was your initial experience at the shop? Well I come here for most all my supplies. Close to home and handy.

What supplies were purchased from foam easy? Resin, blank, fiberglass, tints and pigments, UV catalyst, MEKP catalyst, leash plug, polish, squeegee, sanding pad.

Why did you want to build your own board? I’ve been doing my boards now for about 2 years, in my garage, shaping, glassing, resin color. I want to get to the “Master” level. HaHa! Maybe someday.

Shape of finished board? This board is an 11’ retro gentleman’s gun. With Black and blue stripes and a blue tint flood

Size of finished board 11’ x 14"n x 24"w @7"AOC x 13"t x 4" thick

What blank did you use? US Blanks 11.3D with custom gun rocker

Why did you decide to build your own board? Cause I’m nuts

How was this board building experience? This one was a lot of work, 10 hours shaping the blank. I swear I was mind melting with it.

Did you use videos, books, web, other? Yes got some gun dimensions from the Kauai and California North Shore guys and did some adjusting to get the shape. Still learning the resin color do’s and dont's . But I got glassing down pretty good now.

What videos, books, web, other did you use? Just accumulated knowledge, verbal info from the Foam E-Z guys, Grant, Rob and Brad. Brenden from HDX and swaylocks.com

Do you recommend these resources? Yes definitely

What do you wish you knew going into this project? Resin color control

What would you recommend to someone else for their first time? Start with a simple shape and clear glass job. Don’t be afraid and do all preparation before executing.

What tools did you find most useful? Power planer, Surform, sand block, power sander, and my hand’s, eye’s and brain (what’s left of it!!).

Where did you run into trouble? Resin coloring. I wanted crisper more pointy stripes. But the customer loved it the way it came out.

Glass on or box fins? What kind? Big custom glass on. Fin shape from Robin Mair of Kauai, foiled by Larry Alison of Fibre Glass Fin Co.

Did you glass the board and what was that experience like? Yes I did. On this board It was my fourth resin color job. I thought I was sure what to do to achieve the effect that I was going for, but the stripes bled on me and didn’t come out pointy like I wanted.

Roots Surfboards by Brandon Davis

Customer Name: Brandon Davis

Brand name: Roots

How did you hear about us? Surfin the net for supplies

How was your initial experience at Foam E-Z? Smooth ordering on-line, was able to adjust my order when I needed to add some things last minute.

Why did you want to build your own board? Wanted a quad fish with a retro vibe and just couldn’t swing the money for what I wanted. Also I’ve always been a DIY kinda guy and thought that it would deepen my connection with surfing in the grand scheme of things

Shape of finished board: Retro Skinny Fish

Size of finished board: Length 5’11” Nose 17.5” Width 21” Tail 16.5” Thickness 2 7/8”

What blank did you use? 61HTM Bennett Foam blank.

How was your board building experience? Intense it was a lot like sculpture design or pottery where it’s a multistep process that takes shape and becomes your vision as you go.

Did you use videos, books, web, other? DVD’s; You Tube; Local Shop; Foam E-Z

What videos, books, web, other did you use? Shaping 101, Futures Install DVD, art of Design book.

Do you recommend these resources? Absolutely, the more info and ideas/viewpoints you can get the better.

What do you wish you knew going into this project? More trick tips on cleaner lap lines, resin tinting, fabric inlay, methods for perfecting concave design.

What would you recommend to someone else for their first time? DON’T RUSH!

What tools did you find most useful? Microblades replacement blades saved time on the blank and finish sanding, good sharp trim plane, power sander, Futures Install Jig/Kit.

Where did you run into trouble? Cutting in my concave for evenness was a battle. I finally got it but there’s gotta be a methodical approach rather than “eyeing it”.

What kind of fin system did you use? FUTURES, the install kit I got from Foam E-Z was badass!!! Simplified things immensely and was easy to use right outta the box.

Did you glass the board and what was that experience like? Yes I did glass the board it was my second board I’ve ever done and it was better than the first. For your first I was told to not mess with resin tints and pigments which was great advice because it allowed me to focus more on laps and clean lines. For this board I jumped up to the plate and did a Paisley fabric inlay on the deck and green resin tint to put some pop in the overall look. I tried to lay the tint uneven to give the appearance of water color paintings- came out awesome still need to work on perfecting concaves and lap lines. The biggest thing I can say to first time shaper/glasser is; TAKE YOUR TIME AND IT WILL SHINE THRU IN THE END!!!!!