I have been running the first board I shaped for over two weeks and loving it. Now I want a fish shape.
Me:
6’0 165lbs 47yrs intermediate
Currently running a board based on the Lost Quiver Killer stretched out to 6’8 x 21 x 2 3/4 around 40L.
Goals for Fish:
SPEED
Easy Paddling
Flow
Hopefully work in multiple wave types
I have read that with Retro fish shapes that the backhand side can be difficult to turn on but with more modern fish shapes like the CI Feb Fish with more tail rocker it can be easier to maneuver. I want a board that will generate its own speed and paddle into smaller waves while being able to handle up to head high or so. I am intermediate and surf mainly waist to head high with a mix of points and some beach breaks thrown in. Definitely want something that will work in beach breaks and I travel so something that will work in multiple scenarios.
I mocked up the following
CI Feb Fish 6’1 x 21 1/2 x 3 (43.8L)- nose rocker 4.89” tail 1.95”
Lost RNF 96 5’11 x 21.5 x 3 (43.7L) nose 4.56 tail 2.78 (this seems like alot of flip in the tail)
Album Vesper 6’2
I have a 6’2 SBF Epoxy blank on hand with 2 1/4 tail rocker and 4 1/2 nose rocker albeit with a 3.5” thickness at the waist. Nose and tail are 2” plus thickness.
I was thinking to go Retro at first until I read about issues with turning backside which I have issues with already. I know the board will not magically turn me into Mikey Febs. I also mocked up a Christenson but he said it has issues backhand although it is fast. I am currently surfing in the land of lefts in the southern hemisphere but have been to Costa Rica and hope to travel more in Central America and the Pacific coast and hopefully visit a friend that moved to Oahu this year. Suggestions are very welcome!!!
I would look at what the various surfboard manufacturer’s recommended length is for your size.
From Harbour Surfboards;
“A Fish shape is not for beginners, as some skill is needed to make it work. Surfing a Fish is almost like riding a skateboard on water. They have very little rocker, and a width that is almost as wide as a contemporary board that is 3 feet longer. There is lots of curve in the front half of the outline with the tail area becoming much straighter. And it has a wide swallow. Hey, this is not your normal approach to making surfboards. These boards float well for their size, but to remain true to their design concept it is recommended to stay within the 5-6 and 6-6 size range. These boards are for waves in the waist to head high range, although this does not restrict someone from pushing these numbers.”
In the past, tail Vee was added to the Retro Fish. Basically, this just gave fins cant. These days, adding cant to fins alone (no tail Vee) accomplishes the same objective. Fin cant for Retro Fish runs from 3-5 degrees.
As Dr. Hendricks points out on page 2, paragraph 2 of his Surfer Magazine article, “Part II: Pressure” (link below), Vee in the tail reduces tail lift.
I am leaning towards this shape but still unsure of the rocker. This is a 5’11 Too Fish shape.
What are the normal toe specs for a modern fish shape? This looked like 9.5” from tail, 1.5” from rail and .2 toe? If I am not supposed to share these here please advise, apologies.
I made the decision to go in between and lower the nose and the tail rocker to 1.80 in the tail and 3.88 in the nose. The SBF blank was pretty close after I cut it down to the outline. I sort of centered my 5’11 template on the 6’2 blank. I did have to mow out some of the center section to get it down. This blank is super thick though so I didnt think that would become an issue. Need to trim a bit more off the outline tomorrow and tidy up the bottom rocker which I almost finished. Hope to get the thickness set and then get some rails figured out.
Speaking of rails. The last build I just came up with my own rails based off the axis point. I am about to look back for what they called them. I have only got the default fish rails in for shape3d. Being that I am making adjustments, I want more info on rails.
Do you guys stick with one particular type of rail across all of your builds or are these board specific? Without having an actual board here to hold and take a look at its all I can do.
edit: Rails on my 6’8 rounded pin are 1 1/8 with about a 1/2 in tuck. They came out thinner than I had expected so open to suggestions on what to do for a retro like fish with a wee bit of rocker and a single to single concave running twin keels?
What does the default Shape3D rail look like. It might be fine.
I like a rail profile that I designed. Can’t say that it is a traditional Retro Fish rail.
For my E-Type Retro, I told @MRat to go with his own gestalt. They looked nice.
The Retro Fish rail profiles in the Kinstle book (a down rail) are found on page 62. (But not my “personal” preference.) Numbers 1-5 are in the book figures are in feet from the tail tips for a 5-5 board length — widepoint at 3 feet from the tail tips.
What is the thickest you would leave the tail? I left it high in this plan just to get it going. I am thinning the deck now and its at 1.2 inches. I thought someone mentioned .75 as being the ideal thickness? How about 12” up from tail?
Thanks and I do want to add that I am new and just trying to get some shape ideas from what I see in those before me’s work. On my first shape I moved my centerpoint forward 2 inches and thickend the shape to add volume. It was also 2 inches longer than the longest stock dim. On this fish I am adding volume by thickening the board and I am also reducing the rocker a good bit.
There is an old saying, “We stand on the shoulders of Giants” with respect to anything we do that was done before us.
Trying to finish up the rails and foiling the deck in hopes of glassing tomorrow. I was planning to do either 6/6+6 or 6/6+4 glassing on this eps blank. They have fast 4oz and fast aerelite 4oz glass available. I used the aerelite last time. For 6oz they sell fast or 6.2oz hexcell in 30 in size. Please advise to make sure I get the right glass! Appreciate it.
Heres some pics. I feel like I need to work on the nose and the tail needs thinned more. I know the Firewire Too Fish has a very thinned out tail. I dont know how low to go?
