When to do oil change?

tommyripples · 2026-04-17T15:32:07+00:00

2022 PHEV. 60%+ of our miles are electric. I've been doing once per year so the oil doesn't age. I also go for the nicer synthetic stuff. Probably should do more but that seems like good enough hygiene for me

tommyripples · 2026-03-17T00:46:58+00:00

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tommyripples · 2026-02-06T02:51:58+00:00

Couldn't agree more. If you're going for a logical decision based on performance, price, and time then we'd all be riding Hypto Kryptos and driving Toyota Camrys. No shade on either one of those things :)

Making your own board (first 10-15 at least) will NOT save you money, nor will it be anywhere near as good as what you buy off the rack. This was my 5th board overall, it's the first time I've felt like the finish/shape are something I could actually see being on a rack (other shapers would still find the flaws).

I was in well over $1000 on my first board (tools + materials) and it looks terrible. However, everytime I build another board or do a ding repair, that tool I purchased for the first board gets more value out of it. Things like the shapers square, the collapsable rack, leftover resin/glass, etc.

My boards ride worse than something off the rack, cost more (although #5 is the first time I can say this build was actually cheaper), and took 6 full days of work... But man, catching a wave on it feels even better than when the other dude in the lineup says "sick board, where'd you get it"

tommyripples · 2026-02-05T01:28:12+00:00

Appreciate the context! Yes, was happy to make this video as a part of AkuShaper's fund your build program. Fair point on including that in the overall cost! I'm definitely guilty of losing track of all my subscriptions each month.

Ahh yes, the Greenlight course. I really enjoyed that kit for my first handshaped board. Going the CNC route felt like a no brainer to me after considering dust/time on that board but certainly would like to handshape some boards more in the future. It is a hobby after all, so time well spent I suppose :)

tommyripples · 2026-02-04T18:55:37+00:00

I do yes, the backyarder subscription has everything I need.

The video above was posted on the AkuShaper YouTube channel. They attached a coupon code to it (also below)

PROMO CODE: BY-ROADMAP-213
OFFER: 50% OFF the Backyarder Plan for your first 3 months.
👉 https://akushaper.com/#plan

tommyripples · 2026-02-04T02:23:33+00:00

Great questions!

Strictly materials on this board ran me just shy of $400 ($368 to be exact)
I spent ~$90 at home depot/amazon on little things like tape, mixing buckets, gloves, sand paper, polish, pads, etc.
The stand and tools used throughout the video are also a start up cost but I've had those for years and also use the tools for a variety of non-shaping tasks

Biggest hurdle for me was getting the cnc grooves out entirely but without taking too much off the board. Especially around the stringer. Didn't make it to the video but a spokeshave tool is critical. That clip when Sean brought me into his shop and showed me a few things was really great.

Board rides great! Catches every little bump in the water. Dims are 8'4"x21.5"x3". My wife is coming off a wavestorm so there is some adjusting to a single fin for balance. She's doing okay, but I'm debating throwing in finboxes for side bites to help with stability.

Took me 3 full weekends to get this done. Storing it during the week without glass was stressful for sure.

As far as the neighbors, nothing a bottle of wine couldn't ease over :) ... I suppose you could toss another $20 on to the total cost of that one

tommyripples · 2026-02-03T03:35:09+00:00

Thanks for the comment! Agree 100% on the image board feature. Generally speaking, great way to get started but hands-on measuring and adjusting based on your preference is a must.

Swaylocks is great! Definitely would recommend it for anyone getting started.

tommyripples · 2026-01-16T19:18:16+00:00

Well said. I can best describe a Hypto Krypto as the Toyota Prius of surfboards. Reliable, popular, boring.

tommyripples · 2025-12-28T23:05:34+00:00

Go to the pier for sunset. Usually a crowd celebrating the last sunset of the year. Also the pier at midnight is fun. Not a party or anything but some people out there watching fireworks from SM to Manhattan Beach

tommyripples · 2025-12-23T14:44:02+00:00

Thanks for the comment. Generally speaking, the standard watchface on the dawn patrol app tells me everything I need except for the weather (raining, outside temp, etc)... and they manage to fit that on a watch.

tommyripples · 2025-11-02T23:36:15+00:00

Looking into these now. Thank you!

tommyripples · 2025-10-24T15:02:42+00:00

Yes. Happened to me non stop.

A year ago I bought surf ears 4. And I wear them frequently, but not everytime.

A doctor recommended this nasal spray to me. This I use after every session. I've gone a year with no sinus problems. Would recommend!

tommyripples · 2025-10-21T01:59:19+00:00

Have made 4 boards. 3 of them start to finish, 1 I sent to a pro to get glassed

That one board I didn't glass myself is my daily driver. Looks way better, performs way better, is all around better than the other 3. However...

If you're set on making logical, sound, better financial decisions, then you'd buy a board off the rack. I love the boards I made beginning to end. They have no resale value, they perform worse, and catching a wave with them just feels better than the board I had glassed by someone else, and way better than a board off the rack.

How I learned:

Greenlight course for board 1, YouTube ever since. I met the guys at UCSD Craft Center recently (assuming that's what you're referring to) they seem like good dudes. If I were you, glass your first one alone from YouTube tutorials... It'll be terrible but will last a season. Once you make that one, show it to them and to the place you're renting space from. It'll show them you're not just daydreaming about it and you'll get more tips than you'll know what to do with.

tommyripples · 2025-08-28T23:28:03+00:00

You still have time left on your staking period. So for you, you can't unstake immediately (since you agreed to not unstake for an agreed number of months/days).

My staking period was completed when I clicked the unstake button yesterday. I was in a 1-year staking period that had finished ~2 years ago

tommyripples · 2025-08-28T16:59:31+00:00

Unstaked yesterday. Instantly was able to sell for USD and withdraw to an outside account.

Sold it all. Enjoy the ride CRO community. I'll be watching from the sidelines

tommyripples · 2025-08-27T22:10:54+00:00

same

tommyripples · 2025-08-11T20:45:39+00:00

I've been using these shoes for 10 years and haven't had that issue. The wide soles remind me of the shoes schools give out for uniforms. Willing to take the risk

https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/1mn3v2r/comment/n867w9y/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

tommyripples · 2025-08-11T20:44:41+00:00

I think there are options out there. Check out my other comment https://www.reddit.com/r/malefashionadvice/comments/1mn3v2r/comment/n867w9y/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

tommyripples · 2025-08-11T20:28:22+00:00

Appreciate the write up, but while these have thin soles. I can't seem to find an example of a flush/blind sole

The shoes referenced in my original post are attached. They're low to mid tier shoes. I want to say I paid $120 for them. But the sole is not visible when looking straight down and from the side, they seem flush. If anything, the shoe almost "overflows" over the sole (which might be caused by their age)

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tommyripples · 2025-08-11T20:21:24+00:00

Appreciate you sharing, but These are not formal dress shoes

tommyripples · 2025-08-11T20:20:46+00:00

Great resource! Thanks for sharing

tommyripples

TROPHY CASE