Sport Today

I spoke to John Forsythe, and checked out some of his designs while dropping off a
board for repairs.  He is building boards with the latest designs (no nose, wide
point back).  They look pretty good, and he learned his board shaping from
Bob Dill in the Gorge, where he shaped for 6 years.  

Does anyone have one of his boards, or any experience riding one?  I am looking
for a custom board builder who build a board to my specs (which includes rail
stringers, reinforcement in the foot strap area, a 9' jump board).

I've also spoken to Gary Pettit, and am also considering Bassett Boards, out of
Texas.

Any thoughts?

~Jim Paugh

I've not yet ridden one of John's boards, but know that several serious
bay racers do. I see John and these guys at least 20 times a season at
Coyote point. His race boards have the serious bulb tail, etc, etc, and
the local word is that they are very competetive. My suggestion: If you can
wait till spring, try his boards on the water. He is very relaxed about
letting people try out his boards, and perhaps he'd have a non-race design
available that would give you an idea of his design philosophy. On a personal
note, he is a knowledgable guy, no attitude, and should be easy to work with.

John built a board for Maureen, about 105 lbs plus wetsuit, who is an
expert sailor and sails just about every day it blows and is VERY
picky about her boards.  So far, she likes her Forsythe board quite
alot.  I think they are just a tad easier to sail than the full-out
ASD course slalom boards which she also sails.  Needless to say, if
you really know what you want in a board and have the ability to
sail it well, then I think John can build one for you that you will
be pleased with.  I'm considering having him build me a big light
air board due to the good reports and lower price compared to Mike's
Lab and ASD though I'm very pleased with ASD.

Kirk out
8'8" ASD epoxy RKT, 8'11" & 9'3" ASD epoxy CS, Malibu & 8'8" ChallengeFlex
Wt 213#, Ht.  6'0", Usually sail on SF Bay, Cailf.

I looked at some of the followups to this, and no one had made the
obvious suggestion (in the Bay Area, at least). Try ASD in San Mateo
off Coyote Point (415)348-8485. You can test ride them in the spring
by carrying the board across the street.

If you'd like racing credentials, they have a World Cup racer, name
unknown (to me), who BUYS their boards (i.e. no sponsorship), and,
their biggest local claim to fame is that, a year or two ago,
Nevin Sayre (he of GEM sponsorship) won a national race at Crissy on
a borrowed ASD board, presumably in preference to a board in his GEM
quiver. Yeah, Nevin's a businessman, so you won't find that
heavily advertised.

Compared to a Mike's Lab or GEM, my guess is that they'll be slightly
heavier (read: more durable). They have this thing about boards that
last. Since you're after a full custom, I'm sure they can make it
as flimsy, or as durable, as you want.

Also in their favor, working with a local guy is going to be a lot
easier than some guy in Texas or Oregon. They are going to have
a better feel for local conditions, as opposed to Gorge or Texas
conditions. And yes, IMHO, it does make a difference.

Jaime

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9'4", 9'0" ASD slalom, 8'8" ASD Wave, Waddell Race and Surf/Slalom
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