G-Mat 38 (AKA "Matilda")

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G-Mat 38 (AKA "Matilda")

G-Mat 38 (AKA "Matilda")

Something of an experiment here...

Meet Matilda, a 200/70 G-Mat Ute:

Matilda features some beyond the norm features. First off, coloured grip, which has been done before by my friend and mentor Dale Solomonson using Vulkem, but I have tried using the stink-free Sikaflex. 

Next, some people have asked about designs on the bottom of mats... Tricky...

Dye can't do this in the right way because it bleeds. Also, the sealants used for the lettering on decks aren't suitable because they would seriously affect pliability and would feel like an anchor.

So, a foray into the world of spray paint. I wasn't entirely into the idea of this initially and time will tell whether this has worked or not. Right now, it isn't something I would really want to do again but it has given an interesting effect on the bottom of the mat one way or another.

So, we'll have to await feedback from whoever ends up with this mat but it'll certainly catch a few eyes, that's for sure!

Matilda is currently up for sale and being something of an experiment is available for:

£200 GBP plus shipping.

Please email me if you would like to be the one to break her in.

Cheers

G

G-Mat 38 (AKA "Matilda") - Spray Paint!


The Bullet is Dead... LONG LIVE THE UTE!

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G-Mat Ute - 200/70

As people will be aware, I was keen to work towards an all-round mat that would be an option in almost any conditions. Following that train I recently developed the G-Mat Ute which certainly seemed to hit that spot. 

A few went out to various experienced mat riders and the feedback has been really positive.

For example:

I went faster yesterday on two different waves then I have ever gone before. On the blue mat [below]. I rode two waves almost a quarter mile each. Super winter spot I know of. Local knowledge in Southern California is worth gold.
 
No shit! Those that saw it commented and there were only five of us out. I can't tell you how fast that little fucker went but I was hauling ass. Two career waves in one session. Both about six feet, or double overhead to stand up surfers. Total strangers paddled up afterwards and commented.

G-Mat Ute 70/70

My personal experience has been the same, that the Ute really likes solid, sizable surf and making long drawn out turns. Oh, and it goes like a greased turd!

The thing is, that's the G-Mat Bullet''s job. But my experience is that the Ute actually does the Bullet's job for it, and better. It also beats the Bullet at the bottom end of it's range.

RIP the G-Mat Bullet

So where does that leave the Bullet?

Well... Redundant! 

It's not to say that anyone with a Bullet has a bad mat because the Bullet has performed well in all sorts of conditions and is a good mat, but it has been superseded.

The Bullet's slightly rounded corner is certainly something that could be looked at on the Ute, I have a Standard corner template called the "Tweener" (used on the Glider, Ute and Ubercat) and then the rounder Bullet corners...  

A little more maneuverable and a touch more hold at the expense of a little speed might be someone's bag. Custom is as it says!

G 

PS Of course, any Bullet lovers can still have one for old time's sake. 

PPS COMING UP... The does the Ute leave the Flying Carpet?!

Non-Stick Problems

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I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to use some new fabric samples and I said that I noticed that this 200d Oxford weave appeared to have seen treated... It has... And as feared, grip can't stick to it as I discovered on a South Devon reef yesterday. Even the logo is touch and go.

So it's back up plan time. I've had some Non-Stick mesh kicking a round so have made strips for the deck and fixed them with strong glue (Stormsrure). This is the glue used on the valve which has held up fine. I could have left a bigger gap at the tail. That's a weak point for sure.

Now, I don't think this is a grip I would want to do as a rule but it will be interesting to see how it goes. I could have just applied more Sikaflex to the glue but it's nice to experiment now and then. Will this be robust enough? Probably not but there's only one way to find out.

Suffice it to say, I won't be buying any of this fabric any time soon.

G

Trouble with treated nylon.

Trouble with treated nylon.

Sikaflex periods straight off!

Sikaflex periods straight off!

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G-Mat 36 (AKA "te Ika-a-Maui")

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I'm really stoked to be sending my first mat to New Zealand. Lee Morgan has named his Ute "te Ika-a-Maui", the Maori word for the North Island.

G-Mat 36 (AKA "te Ika-a-Maui")

G-Mat 36 (AKA "te Ika-a-Maui")

As you can see, this 200/70 free-breather is set up for an optional leash. The leash is attached to the middle part of the bungee, under the extended edgelap at the nose. This provides an even distribution of stress across the mat, maximising the shock absorbing affects of the bungee and the mat itself. 

The grip is Sikaflex 11FC. I've given this a really light grip with plenty of space at the tail to help Lee to get up on to the mat on take-off. He is a practical fella who is more than able to top up his grip later if need be.

I'm looking forward to hearing how Lee gets on with his new ride. This has been a really fun project to work on.

G

"The Count": Trying out some new material.

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I've just finished working on an Ubercat for Matt Derwent. Matt was game enough to try out some new material si the bottom skin of this mat is made with a coated 70 denier Oxford Weave fabric.

G-Mat 35 (AKA "The Count")

G-Mat 35 (AKA "The Count")

This is a super light and pliable fabric so it's really exciting to see how this goes. "The Count" has a 200d Taffeta weave deck and 70d I-beams. She's configured as a free breather.

Matt is currently surfing spots requiring a late take off and maneuverability in tight nooks and crannies so this gal should hit that spot.

Cheers

G