I had stock Amundson and I had zero issues with them. His customs are super sexy but will set you back 1500+. But i think Grant at 270 has his new builds dialed in and if they are, they should be epic. His designs are similar to AMOS which i would love to have but im not paying $2000 for a custom ship from Australia. Check out FB Market place in Hawaii or Foil market Hawaii on WhatsApp, so much deals on there
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I think Amos might be partnering with Dark Arts surf in San Diego at some point, which will make it much cheaper to get Amos in the US. The $400 shipping is tough but I swallow it because his shapes are amazing and I cant even think of another shaper coming close. Hopefully that happens
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Already happened. The first batch of kruzers sold out at the boardroom show last weekend.
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Sweet, did Amos fly them in? Or does Dark Arts already have the designs and built them himself, and you can order? Just checked website, doesnt have any Amos info. This is amazing
Dark arts already produced a batch. Using the Amos laminating schedule. So itâs the same as if you flew one over.
I would try calling or emailing dark arts. Not sure which other models are being offered besides the kruzer right now.
Yes they did. Great carbon work for sure. I think our new vacuum process is right under their quality and strength. My glasser has past ties with the Dark Arts guys but also ran the entire Hydroflex shop which was primarily vacuum work.
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New vacuum boards we are throwing out should be lasting a while. You will see a handful popping out along the west coast and abroad. 
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Lamination is tough. Everyone wants âlightâ but there are consequences with this. Even though I make boards for all disciplines, I own a few from well known shapers. They have their issues without a doubt! But, I see it and try not to mimic the same issues in mine. Mine are at times not perfect, but I see the issue and resolve it hopefully right away.
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There has been a LOT of trial and error designing and building. It makes it fun but can be frustrating.
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Strong boards will add weight and resin = weight.
We didnât have many issues with hand lamination, but the chemical bond is not there as good as a vacuum pressured lamination.
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This is where vacuum comes in, you remove a lot of the excess resin and if done correctly, can create a shell that grips resin into the foam under pressure. Plus under vacuum, you can load up patching and layers in weak areas prone to damage.
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I feel like we are nailing the vacuum lamination schedule and we constantly change up little tidbits here and there.
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The amount of work which goes into each board adds up. There are so many steps. Once you start building boards, you understand why most, if not all, charge what they do. Material costs are also not cheap at all. This is not a money making business. For me, itâs about making a craft which works well. I have a career outside of this, so this is just fun and a hobby, but I take it seriously and really try my best to address issues.
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Customs are about a shape and size tailored to you. Lots of great choices out there and props to all the guys and gals making good rigs!
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Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but at what point does weight make a quantifiable difference in a board? My level of skill isnât there yet where these things matter, but it seems to me that if a 185lb guy and a 145lb guy can rip on the same foil, then a difference of 2lb to make a board super stiff and durable is drops in a bucket.
Weight doesnât mean much once youâre on foil. You only feel it carrying it on land. This my take on it. My appletree wing board is super durable but on the heavier side. But once Iâm up on foil, it becomes weightless and doing airs i still dont feel a difference. I only notice the weight carrying my rig back to my truck.
You can still have a light weight board but be super strong, and thats where vacuumed bagging a boards comes in, thats where 270 is at now. Vacuumed bagging their boards. So, my next one should last me more than 1 season and i wingfoil pretty much 2-4 times a week here on Oahu.
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It makes a difference to an extent. If you are a lighter rider weight is not as big as an issue because you will typically ride a smaller liter board from prone > wing > downwind.
Weight comes into play for riders 190-200 and above. Myself, I am well over 6 foot and about 235 with a wetsuit on. I first felt heavy weight with a downwind board where I felt it really did make a difference in pop up.
I believe is you are larger in stature in general moving the mass around via pumping is going to be more tiringâŚthe glide on a 11-1500 Sqcm foil is different for someone at 150-180 vs 210-240.
I donât think many builders focus their builds with a larger rider in mind, especially foils. I can relate! Iâve dealt with it in kiting, winging, surfing, etc. being heavier makes a difference in all the sports.
But as salty points out, I donât feel weight as much as an issue once on foil besides when gliding or pumping around, and at times weight does helpâŚfor example towing. I prefer a slightly heavier weight for drive towing around and we do a ton of it in socal/baja in many conditions.
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I will also say, stiffness in a board is prob equally if not more important. There is a noticeable difference between a hand laminated board vs vacuumed board and the schedule layup in reference to stiffness. More stiff = more reactive to the force input which = more efficiency.
Keep that in mind. And this pertains to all the disciplines of foiling in my opinion from kiting to downwind.
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