Big tails – retro styles – can you turn them? My next project is going to be a small wave 9’+ longboard. Triple stringer with some thickness. I like the look of the retro styles that are coming back – notice some folks surfing them quite well. The thing is, some of these suckers have a big tail measurement – one model I like has a 16.5" tail. I would imagine these boards catch even a ripple. But, can you turn them and will they continue to perform well in bigger surf? My current longboard has a 14.5" tail. Many Thanks sHInE http://users2.fdn.com/~shine
Shine: If you were a Stooges fan Curly would have said it best…“Soitenly” More finesse in the turns on some of them than others. There is an ideal wave for every style of surfing and every type of surfcraft. The key is having the right one with you on any given day. You won’t have a huge transistion from your 14.5" tail. Tom S.>>> Big tails – retro styles – can you turn them?>>> My next project is going to be a small wave 9’+ longboard. Triple stringer > with some thickness. I like the look of the retro styles that are coming > back – notice some folks surfing them quite well. The thing is, some of > these suckers have a big tail measurement – one model I like has a > 16.5" tail. I would imagine these boards catch even a ripple. But, > can you turn them and will they continue to perform well in bigger surf? > My current longboard has a 14.5" tail.>>> Many Thanks>>> sHInE http://www.thirdcoastsurf.com/images/certainly2.wav
Shine - A fin box (maybe the extended version?) and a couple of fins will allow you to fine tune it. In my opinion, the big blade fins glassed right on the tail (Lance Carson/Phil Edwards style) do way more towards making them stiff than the outline dimensions.
Shine–all of my retro longboards have 16inch tails and they turn really easily. two of them in particular: one is a 9’4, 19n, 23w, 16t, 3.125 thick, 7inch square tail, slight vee, 3/16 concave in nose stretching back 43 inches. this board is real real heavy and it turns on a dime, i love it. with all soft rails you can lay it over as hard as you want and you wont catch an edge (there arent any to catch). it will catch anything you paddle for, i love it, and to my surprise it works REALLY well in bigger stuff. i thought it would only work in waves up to about 4feet, but the other day i took it out in some fast, steep, overhead stuff and was really surpised, not only did it handle, it performed like a champ, turning, noseriding, EVERYTHING was TONS easier, it was amazing. my other board is a 9’0 rounded pin with about the same dimensions, this one works really well too. if you’re worried about turning, play with some fins, move the fin up, add a little extra tail rocker, give the bottom a little more rolled vee, etc. in fact, i’d add some weight to your board and even make it a few inches longer. you won’t be disappointed. -STEVE