Here at Grain we love an opportunity to celebrate the heritage of surfing and the beauty of handcrafted boards. So, when our fellow Maine company, Epifanes North America, the legendary marine varnish brand, approached us for a collaboration, we were pumped! This project was a chance to push boundaries, experiment with materials, and create something truly unique – a board that embodied both our brands and a shared love for all things maritime.
“We first met Mike LaVecchia at the Mystic Wooden Boat Show when Grain had a booth right next to our Epifanes booth. I was very impressed at the construction details of their boards. We all joked about how nice one would look on top of our ’57 Chevy. That idea came to fruition this past winter when I asked Mike if Grain would like to build a custom board for Epifanes. Mike said they’d love to take on the challenge. We tossed around ideas by email and phone and then visited their shop in York to finalize the plans. We settled on a beautiful combination of teak and maple on the front side, and mahogany on the back with custom graphics showing off the Epifanes brand. Mike made the whole process simple for us. Thanks to Mike and the exceptional team at Grain, we now have a uniquely beautiful new display to show off our varnish, and the Chevy has never looked better at the beach!” --- Joel Valley, Epifanes North America
For Epifanes, who develops and manufactures the finest marine coatings possible, this collaboration was about showcasing their products in a fresh way. We knew we had to step outside our usual cedar construction and embrace some new materials. The answer? A hollow board using a stunning combination of plantation-grown teak, local maple, and mahogany. The rich, warm tones of these woods not only complemented each other perfectly but also alluded to the classic elegance of wooden boats that Epifanes has protected for over 120 years.
This project was a true collaboration. We teamed up with the talented Korey Nolan of Hydrophile Surfcraft to design some epic mahogany and maple fins that perfectly match the board's beauty. We’re thrilled with the final product, a head-turning 7'2" Shearwater.
This project was a blast for everyone involved. Our builders got to experiment with new materials and techniques, and now the Epifanes team will apply the final coats of varnish to make this a true show-stopper.
Keep an eye out for the Epifanes crew at upcoming boat shows. We’re proud to play a small part in a long tradition of beauty and craftsmanship here on the Maine coast.