Hey to all you guys out on the forum, I`m a newcomer to Swaylocks but have always come here to lurk around and search for answers to my queries on surfboard design.
Im planning on shaping myself a summer board and the Bumble Bee and a board by Chris "Guts" Griffiths called the Mullet really caught my attention. Id been planning to shape my first board this summer anyway and this board seemed a reasonable way to start.
Searching through this forum, I came across multiple topics on Bonzer5s and Bonzer3s, and was immeaditely taken by a 5 finned board, but was unsure of the Bonzer setup with the heavily cant. fins. So, after doing a bit more research I refined my design to using a quad template for the smaller side fins and a 10.5" fin box at the back when I want to make it a 5 fin.
However I have a few questions regarding the design Im thinking of going with. Id like to make a Bumblebee shape, probably a 64" or a 60" for the summer surf we have here in the UK, and 5 fin(s) boxes as this would allow me to go single/twin/2+1/thruster/quad/5 fin and experiment a bit. But I was hoping to use standard FCS or similair fin shapes, eg G3s, not keels. Anyone had any experience of a 5 finned board using standard thruster fins and a large back fin?
Also, if anyone had any dimensions of templates for a 60" Bumblebee or similair theyd be much appreciated.
Apologies if my post is a little scrambled, thanks
James
EDIT: Ive added a picture of the sort of shape and finbox configuration Im interested in. FCS shortboard fins in the side and a larger fin in the back.
EDIT 2: Ive added another picture of McKees M4 Quattro system, I`d like a setup like this but with a 10.5" fin box replacing the back FCS finbox.
I have a bit of experience with 5 finned boards in Cornwall. I found the McKee set up a bit stiff and tracky with the standard type thruster shapes I tried it with. Seems better in bigger grunty surf though. The McKee board you pictured would need BIG waves to work. The other board is much wider in the tail than the boards I normally ride, but I have found you can increase tail width a bit on 5 finners. My current small surf summer board is 5’ 10"x201/4"x23/8", tail 15", nose 13" with pretty low rocker, the fin set up is similar to McKee but the rear twins are further out towards the rail. If you want to bury a rail or throw the tail I would’nt put a large fin in the centre position, keep all the fins small. I use combinations of G3, FG3, G1000, GL , GS & GX fins.
I came across multiple topics on Bonzer5s and Bonzer3s, and was immeaditely taken by a 5 finned board, but was unsure of the Bonzer setup with the heavily cant. fins.
Exactly, you wouldn`t have any more pictures/dimensions/information on that board would you? Looks like a nice shape.
Chipfish - sounds like a plan. What sort of board you planning on? Dims/template pics?
Sparksbrand - Thanks for your recommendations of fins, have you used it as a quad in summer surf down in Cornwall as we get similair surf up here in Wales.
Soulstice - I am tempted by the Bonzer setup, I may well reconsider it, but Ive heard good things about the quad setup which Id also like to experiment with and I`m trying to keep expenses down and I already have enough FCS shortboard fins to make a quad.
In answer to your question, I have tried it as a quad and it was supper loose and a little directionless, it basically lacked the amount of drive I like. I could do a lot more experimentation with quad set ups but I’ve ended up playing with 5 fin combos, I think probably because I’ve been riding thrusters for so long now I’ve learned to love the drive, even a tiny GS rear sorts out the feeling of directionlessness of a small wave quad set up. I sure others out there will have something to say about this but thats what I’ve found with my boards. Hey I rode single fins for years then twins for a couple then thrusters came along and I never felt the urge to go back to either twins or singles apart from a play to remind me what they were like.