Boards
The Ultimate Lovemachine: Crafting Connection in a Digital World
Reswell6 min
Lovemachine surfboards are Ryan Lovelace’s premium production boards, each one scanned from a hand-shaped prototype and CNC-replicated to keep the original design feel while delivering consistent precision from board to board. For surfers comparing Lovemachine models—from shortboards and performance hulls to mid-lengths and longboards—this range covers the key differences in design, sizing, fin setup, ordering options, and international availability, so you can match the right board to your wave conditions, skill level, and riding style with more confidence.
Types of Lovemachine Surfboards
The Lovemachine lineup breaks down into distinct families - shortboards built for progressive surfing, mid-lengths designed for trim and flow, and longer hybrids that bridge glide with manoeuvrability. Here's how the key models sort out.
Pedestrian Ship
The Pedestrian Ship is arguably the model that put Lovemachine on the global radar - it won the 2024 STAB Electric Acid Surfboard Test, chosen by Dave Rastovich. Lovelace describes the design as split into thirds: one-third his own design sense, one-third what Rasta wanted, and one-third pure experimentation. Available from 5'7″ (≈25.6L) to 6'4″ (≈37.3L), it's a narrow-swallowtail hybrid that blends fish-like speed with snappy release. Bottom contours are complex - low centre rocker for paddle speed, a flat planing centre, vee under the back foot for looseness, and a kinked channel exit behind the fins for snap. Best in waist-to-overhead beach, point, and reef breaks, though riders should note it's not a grovel board and demands precise foot placement to unlock its potential.
FM
The FM is the flagship model and the broadest in the range, spanning 6'2″ × 20 3/8″ (≈32.7L) all the way to a 9'6″ × 22 1/16″ (≈74.28L). It merges the forgiveness of the ThickLizzy with the three-dimensional roll of the v.Bowls, intensifying both into a board built for better wave faces and powerful carves. A defining trait: the FM surfs significantly smaller than it measures, so sizing up often helps paddle power without sacrificing responsiveness. Spiral vee bottom contours and continuous rocker give drive and rail engagement across the range, but each size has its own outline, rocker profile, and thickness distribution - Lovelace avoids simple computer scaling and instead reshapes parameters at each length so the board stays true to its intended feel. Fin setup is critical here: the prescribed FM Twinzer set is strongly recommended, and using mismatched fins noticeably degrades performance.
ThickLizzy
The ThickLizzy occupies the mini-glider space - sizes run from roughly 7'0″ (≈43L) to 8'6″ (≈71.7L). It's refined rather than bulky: thinner foil, less hip, and oriented toward flowing trim and light weighting rather than deep carving. If your regular sessions are in small-to-mid-sized, clean surf and you value glide above all, this model delivers. Single-fin or traditional longboard-style setups with optional side bites keep the ride smooth and predictable.
EveningStar
Sitting between the mini-glider category and longer boards, the EveningStar balances speed, trim, and carving in cleaner conditions. It shares bottom-shape DNA with the FM - spiral vee, continuous rocker - but dials the aggression back for a mellower, more forgiving ride. Sizes range from about 7'7″ to 9'6″, with volumes in the mid-50s to low-70-litre range. Fin setup is flexible: single fin for classic flowing turns, twin for more drive, or a 2+1 cluster depending on your mood and the wave.
v.Bowls
The v.Bowls is a cult-status mid-length - very foiled and curvaceous, designed to deliver a "ball bearing" feel through trim and flow. Riders are advised to trust the board from a narrow, back-foot stance with loose ankles; pumping or jumping breaks the board's natural momentum. A stock 8'0″ runs roughly 22″ wide and 54.25L. Large single fins (8.5–9″ in Volan foils) are the recommended setup. This is the model for surfers who treat wave riding as an exercise in smooth, connected lines.
Shortboard & Performance Models
Beyond the headliners, Lovemachine carries a deep shortboard roster for surfers who want Lovelace's design philosophy in compact, high-performance shapes. The catalogue includes the FKAIDO, Lago, T.Rev, Zambal, GT, Satellite, WillsFish, Cheet, RabbitsFoot, and TWRP. Each has a similar approach to sizing: multiple stock dimensions with full volume disclosure, and custom orders supported for riders who need specific tweaks.
Longer Boards & Hybrid-Long-Mids
For surfers who want length and glide with Lovelace's design sensibility, the BigPin and Gordo/Feo round out the range. These sit at the long end of the quiver - traditional outlines with modern bottom contours - and suit point-break walls and clean, open faces.
What to Look For in Lovemachine Boards
Precision CNC Shaping from Hand-Shaped Originals
Every Lovemachine model starts as a hand-shaped prototype by Ryan Lovelace, which is then high-resolution scanned and CNC-machined. This is not generic computer scaling - each size within a model often carries its own unique outline, rocker curve, thickness distribution, and rail shape. The result is a board that retains the soul and subtle asymmetries of a hand shape while gaining production consistency.
Expert Finishing
Boards are hand-finished and professionally glassed, with the brand's Bali facility - overseen by Vincent Brecqueville - handling stock and custom orders alongside the US operation. Construction choices include standard polyester or bio-resin, varied glass layups (lightweight under-rail vs heavier cloth), and finish options from sanded to gloss. These decisions affect weight, durability, and overall feel under foot.
Transparent Specifications & Fin Guidance
Lovemachine publishes full dimensions and litre volumes for every stock board and provides detailed fin recommendations per model. This transparency matters because many models are fin-sensitive - using the wrong setup can significantly alter the board's personality. The FM Twinzer set, for example, is purpose-designed for that model's bottom contours and should not be swapped casually.
How to Choose the Right Lovemachine Board
Wave Conditions: Match the board to your primary breaks. Steeper, more powerful surf with critical sections suits the FM or Pedestrian Ship. Smaller, mellower beach breaks and points call for the ThickLizzy, EveningStar, or v.Bowls.
Skill Level And Style: Aggressive, rail-focused surfers will exploit the sharper rails and tighter rocker of compact FM sizes or the Pedestrian Ship. Cruisers and trimmers benefit from the volume distribution and flatter rocker of the ThickLizzy or v.Bowls.
Sizing And Volume: Don't rely on length alone. Volume, thickness flow, and rocker curves all shape how a board paddles and turns. The FM in particular surfs smaller than its measurements suggest, so sizing up can add paddle power without losing manoeuvrability.
Fin Setup: Use the prescribed fins. Twinzer sets, single fins, and 2+1 clusters are recommended per model for good reason - mis-matching is the most common source of performance complaints.
Stock Vs. Custom: Stock boards ship fast (24–48 hours from some European retailers). Custom orders let you tweak width, thickness, volume, resin type, fin boxes, and cosmetic finish, but turnaround varies with complexity and backlog. Factory selection (Bali vs. US) affects timeline and finishing style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Lovemachine surfboards different from other brands?
Every model originates from a hand-shaped prototype by Ryan Lovelace, scanned and CNC-reproduced so each board retains the character of the original rather than being a generic machine shape. Different sizes within the same model carry unique outlines, rocker profiles, and rail shapes - Lovelace avoids crude scaling - which gives each board a tuned, size-appropriate personality.
Which Lovemachine model should I choose for my surfing style?
For high-performance surfing in quality waves, start with the FM (mid-lengths to near-longboard sizes) or the Pedestrian Ship (compact shortboard). For small-wave glide and flow, the ThickLizzy or EveningStar are the go-to. If you value smooth, connected trim above all else, the v.Bowls is the cult favourite. You can always send a message to your local stockist or use the brand's custom order page for personalised advice.
How do I order a Lovemachine board?
Stock boards are available through retailers in the US, Europe, Australia, and beyond - browse surfboards at participating shops or check the surf brands directory for stockists. Custom orders are placed directly through the Lovemachine site or authorised dealers, where you select your model, specify dimensions, resin, glassing, fin boxes, and finish, then add the board to your cart. Production happens in the US or Bali facility depending on your preference and location.
Are Lovemachine boards available internationally?
Yes. The Bali factory under Vincent Brecqueville handles stock and custom orders for Asia and Oceania, while US-shaped boards serve North America. European retailers in France, Spain, and elsewhere carry stock models with fast dispatch. Pricing sits at a premium level - roughly $1,600–$2,100 USD equivalent depending on region and model - reflecting the design heritage and build quality.
Explore the Lovemachine Collection
Start by matching your primary wave conditions and riding style to the model families above, then dial in the right size using the published volumes and dimensions. Whether you're drawn to the award-winning Pedestrian Ship, the versatile FM, or the flowing lines of a v.Bowls, each Lovemachine board carries over fifteen years of Ryan Lovelace's iterative shaping into a form you can ride with confidence.




