Surfboard kits

[Krillslippin]

Ive rented a few surfboards now and have been interested in buying my own but spending 7 or 800 on a good board isn't an option and I don't have much of a selection for used boards around me. I've also read to not even buy a new hybrid as a beginner as I'll likely get bored with it quick and want something smaller. This leaves me with the options of buying foreign junk or diy. I'd much prefer diy, even if I butcher it, it'll be mine. I still have a lot more to learn about shape and function and fins and yadda yadda but this seems a very plausible path to me. So now, where to get the supplies I've been looking at fiberglass supplies, which is local to me, but I've noticed their boards seem pretty close to finish shaped, and the kits only come with 6mm glass and glass on fins. Are there other good places to score good kits? How likely would i be to either hate or break these glass on fins? What should i look for as far as the resin (doesn't say epoxy or pu)? Am I way in over my head?
Thanks

[jaffa1949]

I think you might have scrambled some information about surfboards. At a beginner level our advice most often is to go longer, it is not about boredom, rather being able to catch and ride more waves to develop good skills as a basis for evolving your surfing!
Neither a short board hybrid are suitable for you right now! LONGER!

Now about building your own board, admirable but before we can advise you, where are you located, then we might know where you can go for supplies !
Secondly, there is an amazing amount of detail,in the elements of design, rails tails now/Evans thickness ,plan shape, bottom contours rocker, stringer or no stringer, fin numbers and placement , toe in, cant rake depth, flex-shaping to these requirement after knowing what they allow or hinder the board in doing!

What foam or other materials will you use, risk with all , hazards to your health, shaping tools?
All research able, and doable, big but rewarding first time project just think you are so much a beginner and so unaware of surfboard factors that it will be a big challenge, but as I said, doable with care good result would be immensely rewarding!

[waikikikichan]

You definitely don't need to be a good surfer to shape a board, I know some good shapers that don't surf that well. But they know design. Shaping the blank you might enjoy, BUT glassing and sanding is were the big hick-ups will arrive. The reason why they only provide glass-ons is board makers use the fin systems ( FCS and FUTURES ) jigs, routers and installation kits.
I don't know where you live or the board selection, by just try to find a used board. Making a DIY surf board is like making a DIY bicycle.

[waikikikichan]

I've also read to not even buy a new hybrid as a beginner as I'll likely get bored with it quick and want something smaller.

Where did you read that advice ? Not on this forum. When that day comes and you do get bored with your hybrid, THEN it is time to get another board. ( just as you hopefully moved from Longboard, to Mini-Mal, to Fun board and then to Hybrid ). Don't get ahead of yourself.

This leaves me with the options of buying foreign junk or diy. I'd much prefer diy, even if I butcher it, it'll be mine.

So nothing you own, TVs, microwave oven, parts in your car or car itself, clothes, bicycle is made overseas ? I know guys that rip on Wavestorm sponge boards that most people consider "junk". It's not where the Arrow is made, it's what you can do with that Arrow.

[oldmansurfer]

It's quite possible that making your own board would cost about the same as a new board once it is all said and done. I guess it depends on the kit and you but resin is tricky stuff as is making a board and first time it is almost guaranteed you will waste a bunch of both and resin and spend a very long time doing it. I made a board but I was lucky to have watched a guy make a board prior but still some small errors in making it requiring extra resin not to mention huge wastage of resin glassing because I was more worried of running out too soon than having too much. The board I made was just barely cheaper than a new custom board. The other part of this is if you want to get better at surfing it would be better to have a board made by an expert rather than a complete novice. Think of it like this what would you rather have a board that is a little cheaper but won't probably work very well because the shaper is clueless as is the glasser and finisher and while this is cheaper you have to work maybe 30 hours for that cheaper price or get a well made board that is more expensive?

[Krillslippin]

Well right after posting this i did find a good deal on a used deck, I mean board, going to look at it tomorrow. I still plan on learning more and failing as many times as I need to on making my own. Probably is good thing for me to spend a few more months reading before going at it