Surftech Fusion Technology

[Nikos]

Hi there

Does anyone have experience with Surftech Boards and especially with Fusion Technology (not tuflite)
I am attaching a photo from their site.
It seems lightly glassed (one layer top and bottom plus one biaxial on the deck only) and I am afraid it will dent and ding.
I saw a used board that has been in use for a few months only and it had pressure dents all over.
It looks and feels great, but I am afraid it won't be durable at all.
Any thoughts would be apreciated.

[IB_Surfer]

Not sure about this brand, but I have checked out some mass produced boards before and they are usually glassed super thin, which makes them lighter, which most surfers like because it adds to performance, but at the cost of durability. For example, I have tried surfing Channel Island surfboards before, and they are good and light, but ding easily and snap in bigger surf. Dig the performance, not the durability. Lets see what the rest of the peanut gallery says.

[Nikos]

It's the same company
It mass produces some models of Channel Islands, Walden, Takayama, Stewart and other well-known shapers
The board is very expensive, something like $1500 US so not keen to lose it quickly.
It's actually a 9'6" longboard that I am interested in, built with shortboard glazing and technology
It's 90% the same construction as the chanel islands board you rode.
Do you think its going to last or not?
I only go out to mid size days so big surf is not a concern.
Those dents on the photo I attached though do scare me.
That's the model of the board I'm interested in actually.

[waikikikichan]

It's 90% the same construction as the chanel islands board you rode.

So the other 10% that is not the same, is due to the Parabolic rails ?

[Nikos]

Yes, exactly
They have a different stringer/rail system, but the glassing appears to be identical in the drawings.

[IB_Surfer]

For 1500 I would pass and opt to get one identlcaly made by a local shaper, parabolic stringers and all, but more durable. Or baby it, but expect the pressure dings.

[Nikos]

I found feedback from people who had Surftech Walden boards with the same glassing technology.
To Surftech’s credit they re on their website.
Apparently they suck
See below

m B.
4.0 star rating
09/14/20
Great board, but durability issues with Fusion HD
Review by Jim B. on 14 Sep 2020review stating Great board, but durability issues with Fusion HD First, this is a super fun board. I've used it in conditions ranging from 2 feet to 6 feet and it has performed great. It's very light and maneuverable, and I appreciate the extra paddling volume (being 53 years old and having some past rotator cuff issues). The one down side so far is the durability of the Fusion HD construction. I'm an experiencRead more about review stating Great board, but durability issues with Fusion HDed surfer and not a heavy guy at all (about 175 lbs.), but after the first use I noticed a few pressure dings on either side of the stringer. After about 20 sessions it is riddled with pressure dings, even at the spots where I place my hands on the pop-up. I never had this issue with my old PE boards, even in the days when I rode potato chip shortboards with thin glass jobs. I'm curious if others have had this issue. If I ever replace it I'll probably go with the molded epoxy version and sacrifice some weight and flex in exchange for more long term durability

[IB_Surfer]

Use a shaper, even with shipping it would be cheaper.

[CloneSan]

I used this post as a guideline, and, being afraid of the build quality of parabolic fusion, bought a 9'0 Walden magic model c-tech. It's a very thickly shaped board, and relatively heavy around 7kg, information I would have wanted to have in hindsight. I always thought surftech was lightweight, but that's not the case anymore. I have a torq horseshoe 83l that 9'6 and weighs much less. Let's hope it does holds up to its reputation in the water.

[Geezer]

Reviews I’ve read for the surftech fusion models are that he gets pressures more than tuflite (obviously) but less than a typical PU board. Also read the board felt more lively than surftech though in smaller surf for a longboard that would not really feature. Again, no personal experience with fusion but have had ir surfed several tuflite longboards (Including a walden which I loved in every way), and prefer them due to strength/weight ratios and their ding resistance since I am forever banging them on doorjambs, gates and pretty much anything else between the boardrack and the car. I get a nice spring out if bottom turns in bigger (overhead+) waves with the performance sandwich laminated (tuflite esque) biard I have had for nearly 10 years now and remains a quiver mainstay…..with no pressures.

One word on CI boards. I really rate them generally speaking and have found many models that work well in various conditions…. four in the rack ATM. Boards can come in ultra light, standard or gun glassing schedules. Ultra light have great performance but dent easily and are more liable to snap like IB said before. Standard is pretty durable; have had a shortboard I use in up to 1.5OH since before COVID with some pressures but not too much or very deep and hasn’t snapped in spite of a few reckless waves experienced. The M23 with gun glass I have hardly shows any pressures and is still light enough to turn quickly relative to it’s mid size length. If I were to buy new I’d opt for standard glass in everything other than something specifically made/intended for big surf.