i’ve just started shaping - 3 boards so far. they go ok but lack drive, (i’ve been shaping 6 10 x 20 big boys, using a 7 0 R blank) . could someone suggest the most important elements that go towards making boards with drive (tail thickness, rocker,fin-placement maybe?).
Ahhhhh yes, drive. That word in surfboard design that conjures up images of screaming 5G, 100 yard bottom turns, and enough “push” to keep you screaming down the line with every turn. Drive is relative to the type of board and wave you’re riding. If you’re having trouble with your boards first examine the fins. If they’re removable, put in bigger ones, or at least some that have more base. Make sure your fin cluster ( if it’s a tri fin) isn’t too close together. For your next board make sure you’re giving yourself enough bulk in the rail. I see countless guys trying to push against a board with not enough rail volume for the waves they’re trying to ride. As rails get a little fuller be sure not to roll the bottom part of the rail more. Next, look at the rocker. If you’re a back foot guy, flatten out the tail and increase the nose a little. For front foot surfers, a little more in the back and a little less in the nose. The flatter the wave, the flatter rocker you want in the mid section. A nice, PROPERLY PLACED single or single to double concave is a huge key in the quest for more drive. Seeing how you’ve only shaped a couple of boards, this may be one of the areas you need to work on. If this is a small wave board, don’t put too much curve in the outline, a slightly straight spot behind the wide point to just in front of the fins will help you. Be sure this straight spot integrates properly with the rocker at this part of the board. Make sure you’re using proper tecnique in your turns. Bend at the legs and not at the waist, lean over the rail, touch the water and PUSH! Sorry for rambling, TW
Tom! You confused me! The other night, I was reading Greg’s theory of pitch from the archives. His theory seemed to have the opposite traits and characteristics of what you wrote about drive. (ie. tail vs. rocker) Now I’m confused! I am currently making a board and I was going to use these characteristics. Who is right? You or Greg? P.S. I’m certainly not trying to belittle anyone. I just forked out major bucks for supplies and my wife is pissed! I just want to make sure I do it right. I have only shaped a dozen or so boards ( I lost track), so try to keep it simple for me. Thanks guys!
For me to get the drive I want, I need concaves. I prefer a single that runs through the fins. I like thin raiks that bite, the right fins for the board (which can be tweeked with fin boxes), and a rocker that fits the style in which I surf, which is back foot. I like the fins to be tightly clustered so the board is quick off the top. I do agree with Tom that I give up drive wuth the tight cluster. But I make up for it by riding a board that is a bit longer (straighter lines and I get a paddling adbantage too) and a very light weight brings back the manuverability. Certain things create more drive. Finding out what you like and incorperating them into your personal quiver is what this is all about. I don’t agree with everything Tom wrote but we undoubtedly surf different. The theory of pitch just explains different angles (attitudes) in which the board rides on the surface of the wave. That’s true for both Tom and me.
MAJOR BUCKS? WIFE PISSED? IS THE BOARD FOR HER? 1. you just saved 1/2 the cost by taking on the job…2.the job of a wife is to be pissed at regular …or …irregular intervals 3…if the board is for her pretend it works unreal* and if she says no let her build the next one …herself…ambrose …surfus interuptus…* because it does…