I’m working on a template for my # 2 (given my pace it will start taking shape sometimes in july, but nevertheless…).
the idea is to have a board that works for me in most conditions, something like an aggressive funboard (I’m not really Hi performace myself).
another “must” is a diamond tail and a quad fin setup, just because… (but I’ll put 5 fin plugs so that I have “thruster” options too).
when I say most conditions, keep in mind that I very seldom surf anything bigger than 1 1/2 overhead, and the knee/waist high days are more frequent then the head +
one last note: 37, surfing consistently for 2, 6’2" amd 185+ lbs, one board shaped (6’0" fish) and two more to ride (6’6" sb and 9’3" lb)
here’s the question: In Bert’s outline there’s often a “S” shaped hip right behind the fins. According to his description this should make the board more manouverable in tight vertical conditions, without the need to accentuate tail rocker; Is this a general thought or does this only work with his particular construction (and therefore flex)?
also, the “S” shaped thing didn’t really work well with the diamond tail (visually), so my version is actually more like a soft wing. But I also have a simple, curved template (A)
what do you think? what would feel different in A vs B? (the noses are slightly different too, but imagine them identical, let’s focus on the tail for now)?
which one is faster down the line? which one is more stable? manouvrable?
The wings will bring in the planshape in the tail, reducing the tail volume, adding more curve to the rear 1/3 of the board, and creating a ‘pivot point’ that will release water. Personally, I can’t really feel the ‘pivot point,’ (and I’m talking about traditional construction methods here) but I can feel the reduced area, which translates to crisper turns. A looser board can also be had by increasing tail rocker, or increasing V.
If you don’t want to fiddle with the tail rocker or your fin placements, add the wings or straighten out the planshape behind the fins so that the hips of the diamond tail (the point where the planshape breaks) are the same dimensions as if you had the wings.
Basically, I would take the nose of board “A,” stick it onto the mid and aft sections of board “B” to make the planshape nice and curvy, call up Halcyon to get some custom fins for it, then go out and shred!
I think you have to glass the board somewhere in there, but I’m not about to open that can of worms…
can’t give too much feedback , as mine was a twinny …that I put back plugs in .
It is only 5’8 x 20" x c. 2 5/8" , with very sharp rails all around , and a ton of vee.
but the outline looks kind of similar to your 6’ 8 " …
So, here’s a few shots of it…
it’s interesting this was posted , as I was just talking about this the other day , wondering how a longer version , less vee’d , with a narrower diamond tail , and four finned version of this board would go .
Maybe you will answer that for me , if you DID go ahead with the board on the right , in your illustration ? ( I hope so !)
after getting a deep wound to the head from the [admittedly , sharp and deep] wings on hicksy’s “moonrocket” [and , on my birthday , no less …three stitches from THAT one !] , I am NOT a big fan of wings , ‘stings’ , or flyers any more …
I couldn’t agree more with what’s already been said here.
The only thing I can add is to keep that tucked-under edge all the way around. Nice and hard in the tail, and softer as you go forward from the front edge of the fins. This will give you both the flat planing surface, and some roll to the rail that allows water to come up over onto the deck (to some degree) for holding power in steep sections.
A buddy of mine just built a board similar to Chip’s, but instead of that deep vee, he did two deep concaves that ran off the tail… creating almost a keel that faded out around the back third of the board into a single concave. He made his a single fin, and has put a squirrel tail in it! Can’t wait to try it!
one clarification, when you say “…straighten out the planshape behind the fins so that the hips of the diamond tail are the same dimensions as if you had the wings” which dimension are we talking about? width or distance froom tail? I mean, my goal is a wider or pointier diamond?
also, this comment: “I think you have to glass the board somewhere in there, but I’m not about to open that can of worms” do the wings really make it that much harder?
I was thinking of going with B, but A was actually my original first drawing, A was an attempt to straighten out the rail and reduce tail volume, to get speed AND manouverability (at least so I thought)
