Take it easy billy .. buoyancy is important . Even Kelly considers it when designing new boards ( and talks about it in multiple videos )

I think most people want to know volumes of boards so they can look on websites of different shapers and have a better idea of what to get and what might work for them. Having the attitude that people are trying to act like know it alls is hilarious when usually people are intimidated by shapers and old timey surfers that they try to use terminology so they don't get laughed out of a shop. If people in the surf world were friendly it would be easier to have conversations like the ones Bill is talking about.

to know your preferred volume is important as fuck.

That's great that he can disregard volume as a metric because he has a vast background in shaping and design. Its great that some people have access to custom boards and even access to the shaper for an in-depth discussion about their inseam and the board they need. The mere humans out there need as much info as we can get to make a decision when spending the few dollars we have to spend. So, me knowing the liters is super helpful. It is in no way the only - or even the most important thing, but it certainly informs me as to how much float I'm looking at and whether I'll be able to set that rail or will it cork out on me etc etc. (when all the other info is factored in). The comment that the same volume on a shorter board vs a longer board means dramatically different things is true! It sure helps to know what the volume is on that board though. If I'm looking at a 5'2" with 38L well, this tells me a lot of info about this thing! His attitude is the same one that many of these much respected (well-deserved) shapers have of gatekeeping information and even preventing people from learning the craft of shaping from them. It just swings open a massive airplane hanger sized door for corporate "shapers" to take over the market. Then they look around and wonder why everyone is buying "megacorp" boards, extruded from a factory in china.

Can’t compare my small experience to a shaper that has been doing this all his life but on my journey to dialing in the right equipment for a short board (where volume changes have a bigger impact proportionally), once the shapes, sizes foil & board types are taken into account, volume has been a great tool for sure. For example having tested 15+ boards with different volumes I can feel that boards over 35L felt too bulky and hard to duck dive, and under 30L they started being a pain to paddle and being late on waves. Even if it’s just one variable of the equation I feel that the sweet spot maximizing wave catching, paddling while still being able to duck dive comfortably is between 30-35L. (-minus ~1L on EPS) No need to be too focused on a specific number but having a range was definitely useful :)

Good stuff! I agree with Bill if your experience and knowledge about surfboard design and dynamics are limited. I'm at a point where I understand that volume is just a result of going wider, thicker or longer and that the actual design elements are really the ones at play. However, sometimes i just want to surf a boat, say 85L+ because i know the volume will help me paddle and catch mushy waves while all the other shortboarders are watching me surf. That being said, I had a Redline 11 @ 9'0 x 24 1/2 x 3 1/2 w/ 86L and that thing was so fun to paddle and catch waves but super bulky to swing around. The 9'0 x 23 1/2 x 3 1/8 w/ 74L was just a little less floaty but because of the design the board did the same exact thing and was much funner to turn around. Each board has it's time and place and only experience will truly make you understand that. Meanwhile, listen to Bill!

Much respect to Bill amazing design head ,best longboards ever, top air spray artist in the world , HOWEVER volume gets an experienced shaper even closer to what the customer needs even on hand shapes .Once I started plugging all my designs into AKU, I was shocked how off mine and most other shapers were as far as targeting float . . Since Bill does so many longboards the margin for error is less .Denying volume is not very scientific in my opinion . I would love to get back on the show and discuss this . I have detailed examples and number sheets defending my position "receipts " .Im astounded by how many of the greatest shapers in the world are unable to understand this .Ill make a board foe David proving my point and theory .

I think this concept is comforting for most folks. Sadly they are terrified to just ride any board other then(fill in the blank liter #). I’ve had soo many people ask about liters who come into the shop and exactly your point they have no idea about any of the actual factors that make a board do what is intended to do. Must be frustrating as person with your skill set to now have to follow this mindless calculation that has now enthralled the masses. 😩😳

30 years ago I had a 5.5 surfboard with a volume of ~22l. From a surfer who paddled non-stop for 6-8 hours, I can surf for a maximum of an hour and a half today. about 5 years ago I ordered a new surfboard for a Maldives surf trip. The first thing I did when I talked to the shaper was to explain that I needed buoyancy and comfortable paddling (width) on the one hand and the ability to duck dive. I still think it was the right thing to ask. Buoyancy is critical when you're not surfing at high levels.

Times are changing. Machines give us the chance to get another parameter about our beloved toys. Ask John John if he is not aware of his boards volume

Yeah it does as before surfboard volumes was a thing it was a guessing game to know if the board was right for you in the respect it had enough foam. I got sold so many boards that weren’t enough volume for me. It was harder to find your magic board. Now that I know what volume range suits me for different conditions I can buy a board with more confidence

10000000% concur. Kudos

I’m sorry but volume is a great addition to the other aspects to check out of the board to get it as close to being right especially when you’re spending so much money

Agree that nothing in surfboard design is linear. That said importance of volume increases as the surfer gets heavier. Also, the impact of volume on performance increases exponentially the further you go higher or smaller.

I Agree.

I think telling a great shaper how much volume you want is like telling a fancy chef how you want your steak cooked 😂

It's so easy to calculate volume these days so I can't see any good reason not to do it. But sure, there are shapers who don't want to write down the dimensions either.

Yeah, miss me on all this man… to condescendingly say volume means nothing in surfboards and go on a nonsensical rant about volume only matters for buying gallons of milk is peak lunacy. Volume is just as much part of the equation as length width rocker and bottom contour. To say surfers should forget about volume and just trust someone like you who intuitively “knows” what size board is right is just so arrogant. See ya!!