Fish design for slightly overhead surf?

General Discussion
1 
 Hey guys. I have been riding a log for years now, and its time for something smaller. I have read a lot about fish, and it sounds like they have the ride I'm looking for (FAST, flowey, and maneuverable). The thing is, if I am going short, I want it to be able to handle head high to slightly overhead (and steeper/hollower) waves better than my longboard (9'6" and heavy). I understand MOST people (of course curran and others would beg to differ) say that fish (at least retro twins) top out around head high. If I were to go with a quad fin, would it handle this size easier? I am 6'2", about 180, so I was thinking I would go with something in the 5'11" - 6'4" range. Does this sound reasonable, or is that too long for the fishy ride?

Or can anyone suggest another shape that would fit my needs better? Essentially, I am looking for something for a more down the line, not quite so slashy shortboard style board that can cope with slightly overhead stuff, but still be fun on small days. I know I should just get a fish for the smaller days and a thruster for the bigger, but I can’t afford both at the time… Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

2

I have a 6’0’’ double bump canard quad fish shaped by Rich Pavel. I think it would be perfectly suitable for the application you describe… it is fun in small waves but seems solid in overhead waves as well. Look at the rainbow website at the ‘quan’ or ‘speeddialer’ to get an idea as to what I’m referring to. I have other boards I like better in specific conditions, but if your looking for a silver bullet this seems to have good range. I am 6’ x 180lbs.

hunter

3

check out Greg Griffin’s 5fin fish. It will handle any size you want to take it out into. I like this board because you can jump on it after riding a longboard and you can turn with as much power as you would a longboard and it holds.

Just remember that going from a longboard to a fish will make it harder to catch waves. I need to be right near the sweet spot on a wave to catch it. On bigger days I often drop in late.

4

I think it depends a lot on what kind of waves you want to surf with it.

I’m 6’2", 190 lbs and I have a 6’0" fish that I shaped myself (you can find it here somewhere), and I like it just fine in overhead surf, unless it’s hollow-sucky- powerful surf (in that case you really need to be good, and I’m not).

As for fin configuration, my undersanding is that the keel fins make it faster but stiffer, while the quad configuration makes it more maneuvrable. Coming from a LB I guess you’ll be more into a fast, flowy ride rather then vertical tricks, therefore I reccomend the keels. The board also feels more stable, which definitely helps coming down in size from a LB.

I also reccomend using a slightly pulled in template: most traditional Fishes are very fat up front, and that doesn’t help in bigger surf (especially steep takeoffs).

if you want my outline I can definitely send it to you.

d

5

well, I know its not the “conventional wisdom” but I like a 6’6" fish (I’m about your weight but not as tall) with modern fins rather than the keels. I have made 2 fin, 3 fin, and 4 fins versions, they all work, which setup you like may depend on your style of surfing more than anything else…

6

you probably want to check this out too:

http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB4&Number=1058154&Searchpage=2&Main=1057511&Words=griffinsurfboard&topic=&Search=true#Post1058154.

This outline and fin config is pretty much what I had in mind as the perfect board for most conditions, for me (just a little longer, 6’4" or 6’6"), then I found this and the guy who ordered it is crazy about it. It’s not a traditional Fish, but it sure looks like a great allround board.

d

7

i’d suggest a 6’0" to 6’2" quad. i’ve ridden fish up to 6’6" in length (i’m only 5’5") & they go great. for overhead hollow waves the quad setup holds in more than a twin does. also it helps if you pull the tail width in too.

8

Surfer 805,

All the boards described above with various fin configurations will handle the surf you described. In fact, I would say a fish is a great board for the surf you described. It all depends on your ability and what you are comfortable riding. I prefer a twin keeled double foiled traditional board between 5-8 and 6 foot. I suggest you go shorter, wider, and a bit of thickness rather than longer. You can go shorter than you think. Just my opinion. I’m 5-9 and 175 of rock solid muscle. Except for my flabby gut, skinny arms, and concave chest. Mike

9

I am the same height & weight as you and am making a fish-y board.

My logic was to make it my size 6’2" with a slightly pulled in tail and nose.

The surf where I live has power even when it’s small with sets 2’ to 3’ bigger.

I am putting on five fins, better on a wide tail than 2,3,or 4 in hollow surf.

The tips on the tail are 10" apart so more of a modern fish.

PS: I have a Merrick 7’, 21", 3"thick Flyer and a 7’2" M13 epoxy that does all the above and paddles great.

Ian

10

Ok let me just put the cat in amongst the pigeons! I’m 6’3” and weight about 220lbs. I’m pretty fit and would call myself an “above average” surfer. The fish I just made for myself is 7’6”x23”x3”. Fin set up is a twin with a little stabiliser fin. I have surfed it in overhead hollow point waves and it goes great!! It floats great, paddles well and drives down the line like nothing else I’ve ridden in nearly 40 years surfing!! I know there will be people who disagree with me but I can only relate my own experience!

11

like stated above, and part of the problem: “everything works” to a certain degree.

I guess it depends what you’re stoked on at the moment.

Here’s my 5’7" twin keel shaped just for this type of surf (maybe less water texture)

and it goes like a dream. Best suited for point-like and connecting section waves.

If the waves have power, you can get away with some bottom contour, this one above

has Vee nose-to-tail. Used this board in the Mentawais and Southern Maldives for special

days. I’m 5’10" and about 170 lbs. Board is 5’7" x 19-1/4" x 2-1/16"

12

…in my opinion, to suit a big guy who used to ride in longb and want rides toobs, the simple way to go is with a 6 6 x 20 1/2 (or less, depend) single fin, with forward bulk…

13

Unless you’re Rob Machado, a single fin won’t perform in small surf like a fish will. But for overhead surf, a single fin is an excellent choice coming of an LB.

The Speed Dialer is a good choice for small and overhead surf, as is a retro twin keeled fish. The fish was invented NOT with small surf in mind, which is what is is thought of today. It was designed for, and still performs great in, long, fast, sectiony point surf where down the line speed and tube handling are the call.

I’m 6’1", 185lbs, and I ride a retro fish in surf thigh high to overhead and it works great. So don’t be afraid to stick with your original plan. Somewhere in the middle of your length range will be perfect. A 6’0-6’2" would go well, and I’d go no more than 21" wide coming off a longboard. You could do the double bump, or just simply pull the tail slightly, but keep the deep swallow and keel fins for the true fish feel. you can go up to 3" thick, but be sure to dome the deck somewhat and keep the rails down and normal thickness if you do.

14
Quote:

Unless you’re Rob Machado, a single fin won’t perform in small surf like a fish will. But for overhead surf, a single fin is an excellent choice coming of an LB.

I think it depends on the board. This board rivaled my fish in everything from ankle to head high. Single fins with a giant wide diamond tail are incredibly fun. My fish was a bit more fun in mushy, sectioned waves though.

15

This Speed Dialer, or Quan (I think someone called it that?) sounds very interesting. I saw this picture on the Rainbow Surfboards page (the top one, the Quad), but I havn’t been able to find any pictures of the fin setup, or any dimensions? Anyone know where I might be able to find some more info on this thing? Thanks in advance.

16

On behalf of me and all my fellow surfers at my home break I’d like to thank all the longboarders that now surf a fish!! Thank you…you know who you are!

My surfing has progressed so much since the reintroduction of the fish…Thank you!!!

Please pass along the features and benefits of surfing “the fish” to all your friends, especially if you live in San Diego!! Keep up the good work…Long live the retro shapes!

They work great in steep, overhead , lined up surf. pass it on!!

I love you guys

-Jay

17

Well, I’m in San Luis Obispo, not SD, but if I get as much stoke out of this thing as I think I am going to, I will pass it on for sure. Haha.

18

George is that a Poly board? Those dimensions, especially the thickness, are a bit intimidating even if I was ten years younger; and full vee…how does it paddle? Does it require pumping to make connections or can it squirt and sustain drive. Are there suppliments required to ride it? I gotta see more of this design, any links?

19

Hey Peter,

in hopes of adding to the theme of this thread, I will offer info concerning fish in larger waves, it’s not my

intention to hijack 805’s thread. The fish is thin but has a very flat deck. The board paddles extremely

well- it is a “high waterline” board and you “swim” the board as much as paddle it. It gets in early and it

handles juice quite well. I have been refining fish for more than 3 decades and for the given purpose I have

reduced it to this version. (I make WIDE, short, long fish depending upon intent). This 5’7" fish feels much

like a tow-in board when underway. The board needs to have size/juice to really work (like a Porsche on

the AutoBahn, it doesn’t start working until about 80mph.) The bottom contour is one of the more difficult

to get right and is Cadillac-smooth in larger chop surf, thus the fearsome speed in more size.

BTW, I would never recommend this fish for small surf. I ride 5’8" x 20-1/4 x 2-5/16 for junk surf. Yes, it

is poly 4/4,4 glossed using lots of acetone. No, I don’t pump this board too much, I try to hold edges for

extended turns and get speed by chasing the “fall line”… …it starts going, and Going, and GOING and…

Umm, suppliments? I’m in my mid-40’s but I don’t take vitamins, but I probably should…

I’m a little over 170 lbs this morning, but I’m a lot taller than in the photo (I’m crouching)…

…I’m really 5’10", not 3’2"

20

I’m a year over fifty so I favor slighty longer fishes in the 6’0"-6’6" range. So far they’ve served me well. I shaped 3 of the 5 fishes I have, the other two being a Lis and my most recent aquisition, a 6’0" keel shaped by Makani McDonald. The latter feels like its the one that could take my surfing up a notch. It goes vertical a lot easier than my others and feels a tad faster down the line. I’ve seen others asking how long or short they should go when switching over from a longboard to a fish and have heard lots of different answers to that question. My response was that the person switching over should take an honest look at himself and evaluate how good a paddler he is, how much experience he has had with shortboards and most importantly, if he would be willing to make and keep the commitment to riding something a lot shorter. As much as fishes paddle well, I’ve never felt like they paddle as good as a longboard. It could be quite discouraging for someone who has ridden longboards for a long period of time to jump on a fish and not feel uncomfortable. To those that want to down size and check out a fish, go for it, you might be pleasantly surprised how fun it can be.

800×533 62.4 KB