i’ve seen a few original simmons
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Steiny, have you ridden that yourself?
i’ve seen a few original simmons and have seen these new, short, “simmons inspired” boards. the only connection i see is the template and fins, otherwise that’s it. some roll in nose-not much. boxy rails, no s- deck, a crude kinda step deck, etc. honestly, if you want a board that incorporates all of the simmons aspects, put a liddle or paul gross board next to one, then you’ll see the the dedication to the design and it’s concepts…
I’m missing it. Those don’t have a tail concave or stiff, low aspect heavily rounded twin fins or the big lift / outline – those seem to be key elements of the Simmons design – planing and grip … not trying to be argumentative with you Matt, but how do you mean?
Hey Janklow… just for you… Jusssst kidding 
Speaking of original design is there anyone making these out of wood?
i've seen a few original simmons and have seen these new, short, "simmons inspired" boards. the only connection i see is the template and fins, otherwise that's it. some roll in nose-not much. boxy rails, no s- deck, a crude kinda step deck, etc. honestly, if you want a board that incorporates all of the simmons aspects, put a liddle or paul gross board next to one, then you'll see the the dedication to the design and it's concepts....
i agree with what you’re saying here, that there is no substitute for an original design, or at least one based faithfully on the original, if that’s what you want.
BUT, taking the chance of being naive, or flamed, and since I’ve never seen one, or even a bad copy, in the flesh… what is wrong with using the original idea to push, or evolve another design, into something new?
As long as you’re not claiming it to be like said original, is that wrong?
Hey what’s up Ian–long time no hey where do you put the rocker apex (and the WP) on yours? And how flat is the rocker behind it?
Hey what’s up Ian–long time no hey where do you put the rocker apex (and the WP) on yours? And how flat is the rocker behind it?
Hey Hey. I was very limited with how I shaped this one since I used a standard 10’8 Y blank thats been sitting around for a while. I tried my best to get the rocker as flat as possible on the last 1/3 of the board but the natural rocker wasnt enuogh. So rocker changes on the next one will be more nose rocker and a tad less tail rocker. I got it somewhat close to what I wanted. It surfs like how I thought it would. Its very uniqw feeling. Very rewarding IMO
ps. its a 9’0 x 23 x 3 1/4 WP Center. the nose and width is pretty close, lots of parallel on the outline. Its hard to find a blank thats not such a boat that will be wide enough for these. Def one of the hardest things Ive built. IF anyones around Malibu, give me a buzz and your more than welcome to give it a whirl
This is 9’0"?..must be a funny angle.
Describe the ride, please.
Yeah, for sure. I know John Cherry has. In TSJ there was another guy around here who made a replica with balsa. Forget the name.
C
John Cherry’s balsa Simmons replica is phenomenal…his craftsmanship is inspiring.
He mentioned that he had seen some of the originals which had an interesting
groove or channel that originated near the rail on the bottom side and wrapped
up over the rail.
I don’t know if I understand this particular design element except possibly as a
means of using the surface tension of that diverted water flow to keep the board
held tightly in to the face…that’s a weak stab, at least.
I haven’t seen that particular piece incorporated in to any of the contemporary
builds…maybe Simmons himself abandoned it too?
Half question, half statement…
Yah, I guess I don’t see the Simmons in the Liddle type hulls. I see the Greeno in the Liddle type hulls, though. Guess I’m not very observant. I do notice, from the video I’ve seen, that the Simmons inspired mini boards change direction much better than the hulls. Might just be a board length issue and not contours though.
The wood Simmons Epac inserted does not have rounded off keels. Must not be true to the original… huh? Yes I’m trying to be a bit of a smart ass. Mike
He mentioned that he had seen some of the originals which had an interesting
groove or channel that originated near the rail on the bottom side and wrapped
up over the rail.
I don’t know if I understand this particular design element except possibly as a
means of using the surface tension of that diverted water flow to keep the board
held tightly in to the face…that’s a weak stab, at least.
WOW Tyler that is something else. It def lives up to the hype you were giving it. That agave looks sweet.
As for a groove in the rail that wraps up… I would make the same guess you made, similar thought process to the hard edge rail or soft rail. Either that, or it could be intended to kinda work the same way a winglet on an airplane works - to take advantage of circulating flow (vortices) that come off the edge to produce thrust - thus reducing drag. Im not sure if I am properly envisioning what you are describing though.
Are you going to glass that yourself?
moonlight 2x8oz top, single 8oz volan bottom.
I’m getting a wheel barrow to get it down the damn trail, homie.
I know Terry Martin made one and Joe Bauguess made one. I’m not sure which is which in these photos though- all the photos are lifted from the hydro blog… There’s a little bit of footage of RK and Jon Rose riding them at pretty big Simmons Reef at www.hydrodynamica.com. From winter solstice 2004 or 05 think. It seems Bob rode them on huge days at the Sloughs which is pretty hectic given he was doing that in the late 40s early 50s. Bill Thrailkill has some 1st hand knowledge of these boards I think, both original and repros over the years. His take would be a good one to get.
Afoaf,
John was referring to the Simmons ‘‘Slot Board.’’ Not many of them out there for observation. TSJ had a very in depth article about Simmons, with good shots of a slot board.
I’ll try looking it up…what’s the skinny on the slots?
The slots are well forward of center, at the entry point of the rail, when in tight trim. Typically when riding high, in the upper 1/3rd of the wave. The fastest part. Simmons was all about trim and speed. His boards reflect that.
a simmons has neutral rails, going from high in front to low in back. an s-deck, displacement hull and parallel outline.rocker up front, low in the back .i’m not dissin’ the casper board, but if you put it, and a liddle next to a simmons it would be obvious which one is more closely related to the simmons.
Hey all, here’s a Simmons Spoon recreation in balsa by Greg Noll that I believe illustrates the slot concept. Interesting board!
