After a 2019 JP 6'8", Fanatic Sky 6'4", SMIK 5'3" and my current Naish 4'10" 60L, I feel its time to build a custom! I like my Naish Hover Carbon (its at the doctors for a little TLC) but feel there are bits of 'nip and tuck' I like - to get an ultimate spot on' sled.
Had a chat with a few riders on Insta, and resonated well with @jasonthejaw about his Amos Shapes Peregrine (surf winging) and the Tomahawk (shorter wider) so I contacted Amos about my 'needs' i.e. I want a board that works well in wind swept ocean swells but also good bounce off after landing jumps .. also I like to ride really forward + centre but my Naish rear strap a little bit too far back (user problem .. I am short!). Ok ... I kind of really geeked out ... sending Amos ...
.. they came back with the dims and specs of a new model that addresses areas where I like tweaked .. volume, foot-straps and mast more forward + insert pattern for my favorite foot straps. Feels like tailoring a suit and I reckon it works well if you know exactly what you need. Now just have to decide .. clear coat carbon goodness or sanded white practicality 
.. will update soon how it goes 
Hi Stanley,
Although carbon and gloss coat can look amazing, on a Perth summers day, you'll need oven mits to be able to touch it after 5 mins in the sun.
I'd def go with sanded white (as ugly as it looks) , its way more practical. Wont show the repairs as easily, and won't give you third degree burns on contact with unprotected skin on a hot day.
DM
Select to expand quoteActionSportsWA said..
Hi Stanley,
Although carbon and gloss coat can look amazing, on a Perth summers day, you'll need oven mits to be able to touch it after 5 mins in the sun.
I'd def go with sanded white (as ugly as it looks) , its way more practical. Wont show the repairs as easily, and won't give you third degree burns on contact with unprotected skin on a hot day.
DM
Hi DM. Thanks for the advice mate. The carbon clear looks so sick but yes, I think function and reliability is #1 so lightly sanded white is way to go to keep the carbon and epoxy resin in good nick for years under the WA sun 
A 1/4 of the bottom of a friends black board now has a nice bulge in it from leaving it in the sun. Those cute little gore-tex valves probably help a little but for higher volume boards they're apparently inadequate (this was 110L).
Select to expand quoteThatspec said..
A 1/4 of the bottom of a friends black board now has a nice bulge in it from leaving it in the sun. Those cute little gore-tex valves probably help a little but for higher volume boards they're apparently inadequate (this was 110L).
ewww! ... thanks for the report mate. I am now definitely going for white "lightly" sanded (hate those 'bald-spots' when they over do the sanding) and will probably me miles easier to glass/epoxy patch up in future too .. just paid my deposit! and the blanks to be CNC and hand finished in Lennox Head next week I hope
I think appletree are the only brand who make a black board able to the handle heat. Their 50k Foam is closed cell so won't let out air or suck water in. Shame they are made in Europe. I go white on all my boards for heat prevention. AMOS marble resin tint boards also look great.
Clear coat carbon does look great and you can cook eggs on it 
I'm sure if you spoke to your board builder that they could paint the board with an even white finish. The sand through is avoidable by dry sanding with finer grit paper before painting then painting even thickness coat. The board may weigh a fraction more but not noticeable
Tks for the tips . Outline, dims, bottom, 16" mast-track position and footstrap inserts all locked in as per discussion. I have 1-2 weeks to mull over color and finish (likely white or if I get a sudden inspiration, another "lightish" paint) while the board build gets started. My main goal is so I can ride even more centred in foot-straps, a bit more volume forward and slightly fuller nose to assist bounce back on touch-downs and 'landings'. Can't wait to test the board and determine if this project is a success. Meanwhile, I am starting to get used to winging my Wavechaser 140F (4'6"x20" 36L) prone board and loving it actually .. so reactive when turning on swell chops .. it has been super fun last few days here in Perth.
It's almost here .. in a truck and can't wait to setup and do a proper test wing session when the next winter front hits
Test flight clips will be @windyaction over next few week
Love the look of that shape! My 74L Quatro is very similar in basic outline and bottom but I'd love to have those longer tracks to get forward a little more. Looks to be a great little board!
The Amos Shapes NITRO is finally here. Looks and feels like a factory works machinery. With 16" tracks to take different foils and centred forward riding stance. OK, I listened and its sanded white so no worries about clear coated carbon delam concerns. It's all setup with my old Dakine Contours (apparently there is a global shortage and couldn't order a new set). Will update how is performs when next suitable conditions present itself. Happy to ride a made in Australia sled
4'10" x 23" x 311/16" 56L
5kg, I asked for "big air" strong build
.. rides amazing too .. test #2 .. after dialing in mast track and footing .. quick response and whipping around
Amos Shapes Nitro 4'10
Axis HPS830/ultrashort/375/86v1.2
F-One Strike 4.2 .. good overpowered wing 30knts easy
photos @mediamanandy
Select to expand quotejohndg said..
Looks good Stanley. Good you try different set ups. Need to try 899 or 799 mate.
Hi John .. you know I am an Axis HPS guy and the 830 is almost becoming an extension of my limbs ... everyone seems to be asking me to try those ART ... tried em, good or even great for blasting but when it comes to carving em jibes tight as, HPS smokes IMHO. Will be looking to level up to either the HPS 700 or 650, pending a update of skills and fitness of course. Keep charging mate
