I am planning on shaping a small bonzer (5’4"…like the originals). i want a classic styled one, not a 5 fin. i want to make my own side fins either out of wood or fiberglass (if wood I’m thinking balsa). i know that there is a lot of info on making fins on this site, but it would be great if anyone could supply me with any info on these types of fins (like what size, height, how many layers, angle, etc…). i have seen the info on the 5 fin type bonzers here. if it comes down to it i may make one if no other info comes about. any help is greatly appreciated.
the bonzer website has the picture of one of the originals with ‘Mickey Mouse’ laminate. If you could find out length and width, I’m sure the other measurements could be appx. from the picture http://www.bonzer5.com/images/his_boards.jpg this particular diagram is from a 5’3" listing halfwidths. http://www.bonzer5.com/images/71-2.jpg My 2Cents is unless your trying to make a ‘‘Restraunt Display Replica’’ for Oklaholma’s Surf-O-Rama Restaurant, your better off not strictly copying these kids when they were 13 years old and quite wet behind the ears…
If you look in George Orbelian’s book, “Essential Surfing”, it has two bonzers pictured, both 7’6", that have fins that are 10 1/2" base x 2 3/8" height and 9 3/4" height x 2 3/4" height respectively. I was looking at a bonzer hanging in Cafe Haleiwa and the fins looked to be somewhere around 1/8" thick (maybe slightly thinner).
we have an old bing bonzer knee board 5’6"- if you would like to look it over or have me make templates, post your email address and I’ll get back to you in a couple days.
Those 13yr olds RIPPED.Its worth it.
If it is a Bing Bonzer it was made by Mike Eaton. If you call Mike Eaton surf boards you can buy a bonzer fin from him. He makes them out of 1/16 thick Lexan. If you want to make them out of glass you can just use the one you buy from Mike as a tamplet. If you ask Mike he will also tell you how to put them into the board. He uses hot glue.
thanks everyone for their help (thus far…keep it coming)! i would be interested in looking over the board, though it is a knee board. i started thinking that a 5’4" might be a tad too small…i’m tinkering with somewhere in the 5’6" to 5’8" range (i know…only a few inches). this is all experimental stuff im playing with…all for fun. i want the board to kinda “eggy” in shape and a little thicker (2.5" - 3.0" or so). my email address is . again…any and all info is welcome and appreciated.
Chuck, again talk with Mike Eaton, he use to make a board about that size, back in the 70s. I think he call it the 360 or something like that. Mike is a real nice guy, and has given a lot to surfing and paddle boarding. I think he is the oldest guy to finish the Cadalina race(sp).