The Evolution of the Shapers Rack: Lessons Learned

​When I first came up with the Shapers Rack, the idea seemed promising due to the large market—over 20 million surfers worldwide, plus countless other board sports enthusiasts. Filing a preliminary patent felt natural given my background (I’ll attach a photo for fun). However, after extensive reflection and creating a detailed pros and cons list, I’ve decided not to bring the rack to market or distribute it. Ultimately, the costs of production outweigh the long-term benefits.

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Here’s how I reached this conclusion:

I initially manufactured one rack and displayed it at a local surf shop, but it didn’t make the front display, and initial reviews weren’t great. There’s also a local competitor making stands, though their designs lack utility for proper storage or board comparison. Despite interest from some, most were not fully on board with my concept.

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Conclusion Continued:

​The rack I built for the shop evolved—I modified it to be easier to disassemble and stow. However, poor wave conditions, isolated to that particular area in the northeast, limited its use. Interestingly, my original pine rack, which I use to store my own boards, has remained in regular use. This reaffirmed that while the rack is practical for personal use, manufacturing a mahogany version for wider distribution isn’t necessary, especially since I can customize one to fit my own needs.

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Competitor Products Worth noting:

After much research, I found some competitor products worth noting. One, sold in Australia, resembles an upside-down ironing board. Another, from Huntington Beach, California, is stowable but lacks the utility of my design. My rack allows boards to rest securely off the ground, which makes it better in some ways, though it is bulkier. I also came across Rado Racks, which offers a surfboard storage workbench. However, it lacks an option to position the board sideways in the stand, which seems strange—I may be missing something here.
While all of these competitor products are clearly not better for storage and don’t share the same utility as mine, they are significantly less expensive. Additionally, I discovered a surf rack maker based in Dana Point. He’s an artist and creator who produces some amazing pieces that are definitely worth a look: Crawford Craft.

Links to competitor products:

• Boardraxx
• Curvesurf Australia

Both are solid, but while one focuses on display and quick repairs, mine was designed for storage and occasional repairs. Over time, I’ve realized the Shapers Rack is best suited as an indoor storage solution for recreation equipment, not outdoor use. Features like magnets, cleats, and latches became unnecessary, as the product is rarely moved once set up.

Donations:

One idea I considered was donating a portion of proceeds from the rack to local competitions or charitable causes. While some felt this wasn’t the best approach, I believed it could be a meaningful initiative within the northeast community. However, since the product will not be coming to market, this plan will no longer move forward.

PROS and Cons:

Reflecting on my pros and cons list (192 pros and 222 cons), it’s clear that mass production and market release aren’t the best route. The Shapers Rack will remain a custom-made, final sale product with no returns. It will come in a kit without magnets, cleats, or latches since those features don’t add value for most users.
Please reach out directly by email to inquire about purchasing, as that will be the best way to speak directly to me. However, the product will still be available for purchase via the cart on the website. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] if you have any questions!

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