bump
Low rocker, Paul? No thanks… not for me… not around here. Sure, there are guys who surf DOH+ on their standard shortboard, but they’re the local heroes, and most of the time they’re struggling.
Sounds like I’d go with nearly the exact opposite… more rocker, under 20" wide, and some kind of flat/convex combination bottom. No time for turns. The name of the game is making the drop, control at speed, and paddle power. But this is jacking short period storm surf wedged in between jetties, not long groomed reefbreak groundswell.
Damn, had no idea I was going to open up a heated debate here... I'm just looking to try and nab a couple decent size Hawaiian waves on a homemeade board.
To the dude above that surfs triple overhead waves on a 5' 11" you are much more of a man than me. I like some foam under my feet even in average So. Cal. waves. I like to get in early.
From my understanding, concaves equate to more drive and acceleration for real vertical, fins loose type surfing. Not sure that I will need these characteristics in December Hawaiian juice.
I'm thinking big drops, some drawn out turns and maybe the occasional barrel.
Think I'm going to stick with the vee to flat to vee.
BTW - What fin placement spec's have you guys had luck with for a board this size?
As far as fin placement…it depends on everything else, the intended fins included. Take a look at as many “known good” similarly-sized guns as you can. More often than not, a pattern will emerge, and your decision is more or less made. Be sure to also note things like rocker, tail width, fin template and bottom contour. A very, very loose rule of thumb to use as a starting point to, all things being equal (which they never are), get you in the ballpark is 11" up at 6’, then an inch for every foot of board. Back fins vary from 3-1/4" to 3-1/2" mostly and move up less than the fronts, expanding the “wheelbase” as the board gets longer. Does that help? I’m sure some knowitall asshat will now post telling you exactly where to put your fins, never having laid eyes on you or your blank, or knowing how you want it to work and feel. Do whatever he says.
i didnt say that! i said i happily to doh on a 5 11.
the bigger waves have to much water volume to get in position. but i woulnt ride a gun in 3oh. it would be a 20 to 21 inch wide shortboard up to 7 ft with a low rocker and standard botttom contours or flat bottom. guns are for big waves and its evasive action. doh and you want to turn snaps in the pocket, i find guns lock in and turns are too drawn out for doh.
[img_assist|nid=1055702|title=7'0 Semi Gun with Vee Bottom|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=0|height=0] Done! -
Thanks again everybody for all the input...
Mark