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.