What would the surfing performance/charateristics be of the following options:-
(i) A Steve Lis fish which was scaled to be shorter and wider (at a fixed thickness)
(ii) same scaled to be longer and narrower (same thickness)
Assuming I kept the rocker curve the same of course. Fins would be kept a constant or at least their position on the board would be scaled proportionately.
This idea would hold the surface area of the plan shape as a constant. i use a computer to calculate the area otherwise brain hurts!
Its good that u are focused on your project…however u may be approaching it a little assbackwards (you are trying to define your dimensions before you are defining what you are trying to do while surfing)
Im sure others will disagree but here is an alternative approach that will help you develop designs. (I’ve been doing Product Development Engineering for over 10 years) and the key step at the start of a design effort is defining your design input.
What are u currently using and how does it perform (feedback)?
what do you want to do while surfing that improves upon or is different from youre current experiences?
Describe the most common wave conditions and excellent wave conditions that you will be riding.
Visualise or describe an excellent ride in the most common wave conditions you will experience.
Repeat #4 for excellent wave conditions
What is your ability/style/weight
Other (TBD)
Once you define these you will be better informed/prepared to properly define your design and move on to the next step - development. Feedback is one of your best tools of design and in the case of board design it comes very cheap - it just takes a little thought. The faster you embrace this approach the better skilled you will be at hitting your target design and performance.
Some guys like to wing it and I’ve experienced this myself with less than stellar results. Trial and error can get costly.
Generally speaking, shorter/wider boards will plane faster and perhaps pocket/skate surf better. Longer/Narrower will project more and is better suited for smoother/longer arcs.