I want to ask you guys for some help on my next board. I have a 6’4" standard thruster shortboard and a 6’10" 2+1 egg shape, and I want to try my first fish shape, something with a swallow tail. I want to be able to ride it in 2-5ft Central Florida surf. I know there are many different variations of what a “fish” is, from the 70’s twin fin, to the hybrid fish, to the stingfish, and everything in between. The only common feature being the swallow tail, but even that can come in any point width and length. To you shapers (and riders) out there- what have been your favorite fish shapes and dimensions. Please be as specific as possible, including dimensions, tail details, rockers, contours, fins, shapes, etc. I want something very loose but still able to catch waves on the small/weak days. I’m about 5’10" and 175 pounds, and have been surfing about 2 and half years. Thanks for your advice!
I’d say something around the same length as you thruster would be good.It’d would shorten you transition time in getting the board wired. Most shapers will say that going a couple inched shorter and slightly wider is what you want but I think with a little more board you’ll be able to hold you speed across the flats better, which will be important for the type of surf you planning for. An outline of 6’4"x14.5"x20.5"x14.0"x2.75", keepin some thickness in the ends of the board foil will probably work well for you as long as your happy with the floatation that your present thruster gives you. This way you’ll get a little more board under you and it’ll work well in small wave. Frankly I think you be happier with a board without wings and a wide swallow tail around 7.0" or so cut in about 2.0" into the tail. Wide tails give more lift and you’ll need it. I’d set it up with three fin boxes so you can surf it as a twin or as as a thruster. Red-X or Future systems would be the ticket on that. Keep the glass job real light and strong and be sure talk to Greg Loerh. He’s in your hood and can probably make you just what you want. Good-on-ya, Rich (Halcyon Custom Fins)
…Check out the photo archives.Herb
Goose, I have a modern fish posted in the archives, #199, that I really like. I have G-5 FCS fins up front and a GX trailer fin. I weigh about 135 lbs. so youd have to probably adjust dimensions and thickness to suit your weight. The rocker is rather moderate, I dont measure rockers but I put just enough in the nose so its not too straight and a tad in the tail. The bottom is a basic flat to vee in the last third.