Jim Banks Magic Carpet Hard Glass 6'1 review: a strong, versatile all-rounder

Updated 2026-09-19

The Jim Banks Magic Carpet with hard glass is a 6'1 custom twin fin, a genuinely strong all-rounder, used more than either of the other two Magic Carpets in the register.

What it is and why I bought it

I ordered this Magic Carpet from Jim Banks in May 2018, a PU board finished with a harder glass job than the standard build, with flat rocker, soft-to-hard rails and a bottom rolled into a vee, into a deep single concave through the tail, finished with a swallow tail. At 20 3/4 inches wide and 39 litres over 6'1, the register describes it directly as a good all-rounder that works in most conditions and is strong.

How it surfed

Its best wave came at Chickens, at a top speed of 30.6 km/h (about 19 mph) over a 200 metre ride, and it needed keel fins specifically to perform, with Rasta, K1 or Alkali keels named as the fins that worked. It holds the most use of any Jim Banks board in the register, a genuine workhorse rather than a specialist shape, standing up to regular use thanks to the reinforced glass job.

Who it suits and who it does not

A hard-glassed, keel-fin twin fin like this suits someone who wants one strong, versatile everyday board across most conditions, particularly if that board needs to hold up to heavy use. It is not the pick for someone who prefers upright fins over keels, since the register is specific that keel fins are what made this board work.

What happened to it

It sold on 2 July 2022 for $600, against a $1,550 build cost.

Questions people ask

What fins does the Jim Banks Magic Carpet with hard glass need?

Keel fins specifically. Rasta, K1 or Alkali keels are named in the register as the setups that worked on this board.

What is the verdict on this board?

The most used of any Jim Banks board in the register, reflecting its role as a genuine everyday all-rounder.

What made this Magic Carpet different from the other two in the log?

It was built with a harder glass job for extra strength, and it needed keel fins specifically to perform, distinguishing it from the more standard-glassed 6'2 and 6'3 versions.

For the full spec sheet, see the sold boards list. For the other two Jim Banks Magic Carpets, see the 6'2 and 6'3 versions. For more on keel fins, see keels or upright twin fins.