Maherajah Factory Tour

[msk]

This isn't exactly skateboard building, but I thought at least a few might find it interesting, and possibly inspirational.

For those not into waterskiing, Maherajah pretty much invented the modern waterski. Their skis dominated competition in the 60s, 70s, and early 80s. And in the mid 70s, they also made skateboards, used by the likes of Greg Weaver and Kim Cespedes. They don't really make skateboards anymore, as they can't keep up with the demand for the skis (but they still have a few deck templates).

Weaver on a Maherajah disguised as a Hobie:



A few weeks ago I was up in NorCal, and stopped by Maherajah to order a custom ski. While I was there, Bob Maher (owner/master craftsman) let me wander through the factory and take a few pictures.

Here's where the magic takes place:



Inside the factory:



The presses:



A closer look:



Uncut blanks:



Skateboard and wakeboard templates:



The classic logo branding iron (can be seen on Weaver's board, just below the Hobie sticker) :



The master, Bob Maher, at work:



A few Fastbacks, nearly finished:



Seeing Maherajah's presses has given me a few ideas, thought others might like to see them as well...

[pavedwave]

thanks for posting, too cool!!

heres a few pics of one of john stryker's countless mint boards in the collection...

[oldfartsk8r]

Whoa,....I haven't seen one of those in 35yrs ! They were one of those boards you drooled over in the pages of Skateboarder ( Val Surf ) but you knew the Sims taperkick was more in your budget.

Thanks for the flashback !

[DCBC]

Whoa,....I haven't seen one of those in 35yrs ! They were one of those boards you drooled over in the pages of Skateboarder ( Val Surf ) but you knew the Sims taperkick was more in your budget.

Thanks for the flashback !

I bought a recreational longboard ski from Bob back in 2004. Quality is top notch.

[bartmoyers]

Really cool connection. Thanks for posting.

[weski2be]

jbraun_1978_maharajah-27in_rocker.JPG That's me and Glen riding Maherajahs in front of Walt Whitman HS on Long Island, 1978. The picture is from our HS yearbook. I'm riding the hand stand on a rocker and Glenn is riding a nose wheelie on a Hobie kicktail by maherajah...I just picked up a new one from Maher(special order) so if any of you old school guys still want a Maherajah, call Bob and he'll fix you up. By the way youngsters, its boarding not skating so please stop! Skating you do on ice or in a roller rink. Just saying... We still ride, and we take no prisoners. ttfn

[Maxx]

This makes me want to waterski again.

[Lovegasoline]

Thanks a bunch for the story and the pics.

I had a Hobie Greg Weaver model Maherajah (IIRC 1977) the most beautiful board I've ever owned. That board was stunning!!!
It had a high gloss polished clearcoat, was it lacquer?
It was almost too beautiful: I was always worried about thrashing it.