Hess Surfboards

[cuda]

^ that is really good info

 

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Never rode a bigger one, but I used to have his Lola quad model. It was stiff, but for that style of board I didn’t really notice. I’m assuming you’re asking about his build style w/ the wood/cork ply rails and top and bottom veneers?

Yes, they are bullet proof. The previous owner had it for years and it didn’t even have a pressure dent. I had it a couple years and still no pressure dents. I sold it because it was too big for me.id bet it still doesn’t have any pressure dents.

 

[Flip756]

That's exactly what I'm looking at. I was figuring it would be pretty stiff especially compared to a traditional poly board. Just hoping it translates to a little more glide and speed.
Figured that might help cutting through chop on those less than perfect days.

 

[jonbiz]

Think similar to surftech. When boards are to stiff they slap on the water unless glassy. They are bomb proof. This is not from personal experience. I do love the look and idea of Hess builds.

 

[DJR]

I like the look of his Moraga Do they ride similar to Nine Lights?

 

[SMUKES]

Rode my buds quad at rincon for a day. At first it seemed a little dead feeling, opposite to surftech. After a few waves it was just a really good quad.

 

[Planktom]

I would be interested in hearing a comparison between the 'full wood' and compsand (EPS+skin) constructions. I think Hess does both, but Jeff at Nine Lights maybe just does the latter (could be wrong?). I rode a compsand quad some years back that felt good under foot, but had more than a few heel dents... maybe the thickness/type of wood plays a part in liveliness/dentability?

There is a chap in Cornwall who makes full wood boards, James Otter. He has a good trade in helping people make their own wood boards too. A few people have said that the boards are heavy to carry but feel surprisingly sprightly to surf, although I think the construction favours certain designs - logs, gliders etc. rather than shorter boards.

 

[JMJackFish]

I really like the feel of my 6'6 Nine Lights cork twinzer rocket fish. That board is much different than my 6'10 Hess Moraga. The Hess does get a little chattery on any chop, but has glide and speed to spare. The Nine Lights is next level and has been a gem in the water. The Hess gets dusty, the Nine Lights is in heavy rotation.

 

[bfat]

I really like the feel of my 6'6 Nine Lights cork twinzer rocket fish. That board is much different than my 6'10 Hess Moraga. The Hess does get a little chattery on any chop, but has glide and speed to spare. The Nine Lights is next level and has been a gem in the water. The Hess gets dusty, the Nine Lights is in heavy rotation.

Pic of that cork build, please and thank you

 

[SeabassMan]

I had a 6-2 twin fish called a "Pacheco" model. It had a lot of rocker compared to a SoCal fish. It was VERY hi-pro. It went insane when I caught waves but I hated the way it paddled. It was too small and rockered for a guy that rides a lot of longer boards. I had admired his mid-lengths on the internet. A glider could be pretty insane if you could get some roundness and belly to make up for the lack of flex. Help smooth the lumps.

I will warn you that I got hit on the side of my head by the rail of my board on a DOH wave. It was the wood and cork version. I thought I was going to die. I thought that I was bleeding from my ears. I still have a moderate cauliflower ear from the experience. No joke, if you get a glider, you should really consider a helmet and see if Danny can round out the points in the nose and tail a bit. His boards are FAST too!