The New Board

So here is the new Isle 'Retro Longboard' that arrived today.

It seems okay...a few minor blemishes but nothing that would impact its performance or durability. 9'6", the same as my first board 45 years ago, but somewhat lighter. I picked it up and thought 'hmm, 18 pounds' and sure enough it was when I got on the scale.

The rails are thinner and softer than my last longboard (which had blocky, turned-down edges), sort of a 60/40 profile. I guess we'll see how well I like that when I manage to get to the water. The 'vee' in the bottom is so subtle as to be almost nonexistent but that's probably just as well. That 8" fin that came with it will be replaced by a deeper one I have on order. Steve prefers big fins, especially since I almost certainly won't install any side fins.

Anyway, I do hope to get into the water again soon and get back into it. Fortunately, I remain in pretty good shape (though I'm like 40 pounds lighter than in my bodybuilding days). If and when I'm ready to move on to better equipment, it will be custom built; the cost difference of having something from a local shaper (or doing it myself) is fairly negligible.