Quote:

---

The target demographic is people who make up for a lack of skill with lots of stringers and a resin tint. And unlike the bulk of shortboarders (18-24 y.o.) they have the wallet to make the purchase.

---

Quote:

---

a new Tyler craftsman is over $2000.

---

yeah, and people buy them too.

Quote:

---

nearly twice the foam, resin, and fiberglass as a shortboard. $450 x 2 + color is about a grand

---

Quote:

---

---

Quote:

---

anyone know if all the heavy cloth and stringers are needed ?

what about just using a denser blank and 4+4+4 glassing ?

---

Heavier boards glide better, I think those hi perf longboarders lighten up there boards quite a bit.
I like the glide of a heavier board, but not crazy heavy, some of those things come in at 25lb and over.

Quote:

---

I got this log because its worth it. Not because the extra stringers and resin tint make me look better than I am. Its an awesome board that does exactly what I want it to. Am I a pro hanging heels and doing A Knost kicks? No but it makes everything that much easier.

---

Quote:

---

EDIT:

Unnecessary venting deleted

Why are longboards so darn expensive?
1. Longboard blanks are not cheap
2. 8oz and 10oz glass is not cheap
3. resin is not cheap, you use waaaay more
4. tape, sand paper, acetone etc is not cheap
5. Your paying for quality labor

Yes expect to pay at least $1300 for one of my longboards.




You get what you pay for...

---

Quote:

---

EDIT:

Unnecessary venting deleted

Why are longboards so darn expensive?
1. Longboard blanks are not cheap
2. 8oz and 10oz glass is not cheap
3. resin is not cheap, you use waaaay more
4. tape, sand paper, acetone etc is not cheap
5. Your paying for quality labor

Yes expect to pay at least $1300 for one of my longboards.




You get what you pay for...

---

Quote:

---

rather get one from greg griffin

with same if not better performance.

---

Quote:

---

Its because of the Wave Hog tax of 1968. It was hidden in some farm subsidy bill but its there.

---

Damn pork!!

Quote:

---

Its because of the Wave Hog tax of 1968. It was hidden in some farm subsidy bill but its there.

---

so we finally got the truth

Quote:

---

can someone explain to me why takayamas , bings , cooperfish , ect are so frigging expensive ?

---

Quote:

---

I would like to reiterate the comments previously made about what it takes to put a board together. I don't believe that anyone who has ever taken the time and made the effort to build their own board from beginning to end can come out of that experience without wondering how the pros make a living at it. Or developing a heightened sense of respect for what it takes to do it well.

It's been years since I bought a board from someone else or even paid someone for a glass job but I haven't ever asked for or wished for a bro deal from one of these guys. Not only would I not want to insult them or trivialize their efforts but I also wouldn't want to disrespect myself by coming across as an ingrate or a crass consumer. I don't want to be 'that guy'.

Custom surfboards are not fcking tennis racquets or golf balls or hula hoops. Show some respect.

---

Exactly. Not including my time or tools I already had - that longboard ended up being in the ~$450 range for me to make. Fins not included.

That also doesn't include the awesome spray job on the board (which was done gratis by a good friend and uber awesome handplane maker but would otherwise cost $$$).

I came out of that (after adding up costs) thinking - WTF? How in the world can someone make a longboard and sell it for anywhere near this?

If *I* made another longboard - complete with the bells and whistles - and billed myself for it (including my time, money for the tools, etc) - I wouldn't expect it to be anything less than $1200-$1500. I just don't see how it's done.

Now, obviously, better shapers have better efficiency, better tools, better places to shape, more knowledge, etc - but I think at that point you take that as profit. You work harder, you keep more money.

As a consumer - I like a deal just as much as anyone (it's why I spend months looking for a bike helmet or tri wetsuit on the cheap) - but surfboards is something I don't try to skimp on. Especially new ones that are ordered. I'll ask how much it is - and if I can afford it and think the price is fair - then that's the price. I don't haggle. I won't ask a guy to devalue his craft simply so I can get a better deal. I'd rather just not get it at that time or move to a different shaper if I felt the price wasn't right. The whole "but so and so will do it for $200 less, can you match that?" BS is complete idiocy in my mind.

Quote:

---

some of the glass jobs on these boards would cost 600+

---

^^

and psylum, if you see me on it, say whats up! dont you have an oak double step deck? i would love to try that

Quote:

---

never said i want a cheap longboard

i asked " what makes them so expensive "

answer ,
materials + labor are over double that of a standard 6-1 hpsb

cheers to all who make big money LB's cause u deserve it

---

Quote:

---

---

(on left)

Quote:

---

Most of the previous posts sum it up, but this is my side of the story. In 1964 longboards were about a 125.00 bucks and a new Chevy Van was 2,700.00, the new van today is pushing 30,000. None of the surfing machines have kept pace with the economy and inflation.
My mechanic gets 90.00 bucks an hour, he never screws me and I don't have to take my vehicles back to him because it wasn't right. Surfers will pay ridiculous amounts of money on surf trunks that have 6 dollars of fabric in them, made in a sweat shop far far away.
Now on to the story, I have been shaping for a living for 52 years, have 5 kids and I am also a champion surfer, still surfing in competition. I have over 45,000 hand shapes under my belt, won the Billabong Art of Shaping in 2009, Laird's first wave at Chopes was on a board I built, Kelly and Rob's year end trophy boards were built by myself.
So, shaping knowlege/abilty, surfing experience/abilty, proven quality and performance, equals a superior product, superior items sell for more money, have a higher intristic value. No they are not in everyone's budget, I'd have to scrimp and save for one of my own boards.
So I do not make throw away boards, they take the same amount of material, labor and time, so make a product that will be desired and appreciated and proud to own, I can't do it any other way, my name is on it, it will never be made by persons who cannot surf or have never seen the ocean. American craftspersons deserve to be paid fairly for a job well done

---

Very well said. Ordering an SWT soon Jim!

Quote:

---

Most of the previous posts sum it up, but this is my side of the story. In 1964 longboards were about a 125.00 bucks and a new Chevy Van was 2,700.00, the new van today is pushing 30,000. None of the surfing machines have kept pace with the economy and inflation.
My mechanic gets 90.00 bucks an hour, he never screws me and I don't have to take my vehicles back to him because it wasn't right. Surfers will pay ridiculous amounts of money on surf trunks that have 6 dollars of fabric in them, made in a sweat shop far far away.
Now on to the story, I have been shaping for a living for 52 years, have 5 kids and I am also a champion surfer, still surfing in competition. I have over 45,000 hand shapes under my belt, won the Billabong Art of Shaping in 2009, Laird's first wave at Chopes was on a board I built, Kelly and Rob's year end trophy boards were built by myself.
So, shaping knowlege/abilty, surfing experience/abilty, proven quality and performance, equals a superior product, superior items sell for more money, have a higher intristic value. No they are not in everyone's budget, I'd have to scrimp and save for one of my own boards.
So I do not make throw away boards, they take the same amount of material, labor and time, so make a product that will be desired and appreciated and proud to own, I can't do it any other way, my name is on it, it will never be made by persons who cannot surf or have never seen the ocean. American craftspersons deserve to be paid fairly for a job well done

---