Ok this is a madness related situation that I could do with some advice on. It is a fairly long and rambling rant/description so bear with me!
After trying out many different shapes, sizes and wheelbases over the years the deck that I like the most (Jart/HLC Classic 7.6” wide, 31.6” long, 14.2” wheelbase with low concave) isn’t currently available in the UK. (There are still some complete skateboards available with the same sized deck but after buying one and regripping it, I’m convinced they use less well finished decks for those in comparison to their individually sold decks). I’ve emailed HLC to ask them directly about supply of the individual decks to which they’ve replied they have none in stock and it doesn’t look like they are planning on making any for next year either. They have a Sk8mafia 7.6” option but it is too short at 31.04”.
I’ve recently set up a 7.5” and thought I would love it but in actuality it was just too narrow. 7.75” seems just a touch too wide, 7.6” is perfect for me and I feel like I have progressed much more since staying on this one size this year. As it stands, I have one very well used 7.6” currently set up and one slightly used spare deck on ice that I sourced from eBay, after that, no more.
So the way I see it is I have three options:
1: Try and buy up a few remaining exact replacement decks from mainland Europe and import them at a cost. My concerns with this is that the supply will eventually run out, then what? Part of my madness is hating the thought of using something that isn’t replaceable or is that becoming obsolete!
2: Deal with it, move on and reignite the madness by trying out new deck size/brands and dimensions again. The madness is real, I’m guilty of speeding far too much time wondering about other options as it is. I’m mildly annoyed that I would be changing something that I didn’t want to though and I’ve not wanted to stray since finding this size/shape.
3: Try and recreate the same deck dimensions by trimming down and reshaping a larger deck, say for example a high concave 8” with the same length and wheelbase. Surely with the sides trimmed-down that would make a medium/low concave 7.6”? Also, I’ve never attempted something like this, on paper it could work well but it would need practice.
Retaining the specific 31.6” length seems to be the biggest sticking point with replacing my 7.6”. Most of the current options (of which there are not many) from other brands seem to be around 31” - 31.2” in length these days. I’m not keen on 14” or below wheelbases either, 14.125” - 14.25” is my ideal wheelbase.
Any suggestions? How do you deal with the diminishing stock of a board you love and want to replace?
Thanks!