Herb gave me a set of Glue-On Superchargers the other day and I have taken the board out for seven sessions. The board is a 6’9"; 21 1/4 squaretail thruster with a DEEP Bonzer type concave. The fins are set with 4 degrees of cant from the horizontal plane. Very hard, low volume rails in the tail flowing into a tucked under edge and ultimately into a neutral nose section. It has been my daily driver for about 5 months when I am not playing with various longboards. The obvious challenge is one of keeping objective observations when testing any type of new equipment. I keep a log of each go out with every board that I am experimenting with and I have quite a bit of detail documented on this particular stick as I made it trying to modify the Bonzer Venturi bottom to fit a typical thruster silhouette. The impact of the superchargers were evident upon paddling out. This is a quick board but it seemed easier to paddle and to get into a wave. The turning radius has changed on the stick for the better. The turns seem to come earlier and with less effort. To put it another way, it seemed to turn quicker and easier. The speed down the line came quicker, and sections were easier to make. I put them on in less than a minute with epoxy. It amazes me that something this simple can make such an impact. I will be testing them in the flow chamber with different types of fins shortly. R and D continues… Herb, Thanks for the help, encouragement and all of the knowledge you pass on. See you in the H2O. Magoo Rich, Have you tried these things yet? I am interested in your opinion. M
Herb gave me a set of Glue-On Superchargers the other day and I have taken > the board out for seven sessions. The board is a 6’9"; 21 1/4 > squaretail thruster with a DEEP Bonzer type concave. The fins are set with > 4 degrees of cant from the horizontal plane. Very hard, low volume rails > in the tail flowing into a tucked under edge and ultimately into a neutral > nose section.>>> It has been my daily driver for about 5 months when I am not playing with > various longboards.>>> The obvious challenge is one of keeping objective observations when > testing any type of new equipment. I keep a log of each go out with every > board that I am experimenting with and I have quite a bit of detail > documented on this particular stick as I made it trying to modify the > Bonzer Venturi bottom to fit a typical thruster silhouette.>>> The impact of the superchargers were evident upon paddling out. This is a > quick board but it seemed easier to paddle and to get into a wave. The > turning radius has changed on the stick for the better. The turns seem to > come earlier and with less effort. To put it another way, it seemed to > turn quicker and easier. The speed down the line came quicker, and > sections were easier to make. I put them on in less than a minute with > epoxy. It amazes me that something this simple can make such an impact. I > will be testing them in the flow chamber with different types of fins > shortly. R and D continues…>>> Herb, Thanks for the help, encouragement and all of the knowledge you pass > on. See you in the H2O.>>> Magoo>>> Rich, Have you tried these things yet? I am interested in your opinion.>>> M Hi Magoo, Great report Magoo! Nice job! It’s just what I would have expected/ The difference is like that of rigging just a mainsail on a slope and then hoisting the jib. It bring the craft to life. The fluids are of greatly different viscosity but they are fluids never the less. I have to confess I’ve been busy with other things beside surfcraft R & D lately. It’s been storm city around here for the last couple of weeks and everything is just starting to emerge from the deluge. There has been lots of plbg work and responsiblities around my homestead. I have a couple of fin orders that are way over due as well. Newbalonie’s probably ready to kick me in the head. But the weather is going to cooperate here for a few days and hopefully I’ll be able to catch up. I have the boards all picked out for chargers-- a 7’9" with a 17.5" tail, an 8’3"x 20" gun and an 8’8"x 21.5 fun board. I’m anxious to see how they work and plan on making a few of my own template. I hope to get to the projects soon. Just too much on the plate right now, besides the surf has been goin’ off here and looks like it’ll hold for a few days. I’ll probably be a little scarce for a while. Better surfin’, Rich
Thanks for the nice fins you made Rich. After much discussion (and thoughtful input on your part) they turned out great! They are different than anything I could buy at the surf shop and totally custom. I’m stoked!
Thanks for the nice fins you made Rich. After much discussion (and > thoughtful input on your part) they turned out great! They are different > than anything I could buy at the surf shop and totally custom. I’m stoked! Hi John, I’m glad they lived up to your expectations, my friend. It is true that they are different from what one sees at the surf shop but I wonder if they’re really any better. I think so or I would go to all the trouble to build them. I hope you’ll share the difference in performance when you have a chance, John. It seems to me that the end product is improving as I go, but I’m anxious to know if I’m breaking any new ground. It is something that I get a lot of enjoyment out from. I heard it said that the hand made product is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Well I thing not simply because it’s the only way to care on the most important part of surfcraft development. Of course sometimes what we make is just in the water for one trip and dashed on the rocks or exploded in heavy conditions but that’s the surfing life. I’ve done it myself with some real special fins. Now when I get inside on the reef breaks where there are pinnacles I turn my board over and hold it across the wave for that last 30 feet or so. Of course sometimes getting hammered in a wipe out is part of it all. I for one have to go for it all the time. Swell’s building here-- Best, Rich
Hi Magoo,Rich …Mags,If you need more of the glue-ons let me know,I gotten 100% of the production bugs out,so it’s not a problem,“Just say when”.It’s funny how stubborn some people can be about trying the Superchargers,but the ones that do, instantly agree that it is a valid design,and that they will never ride just a tri-finned board again. …Rich,I don’t know if you received my e-mail around Christmas,but on your order I sent you the wrong tabbed chargers,I will send you the correct ones(twinnies) soon,got a cool glow-in-the-dark green color w/metalflake,or a clear set w/mf…Keep the Gen.III Tipped Forwards as a gift.Also if you need anymore glue-ons etc.Let me know. …M.P.,I actually got your complete set finished,boy you know what they say about giving something away that you truly want,well this is it!,what a beautiful set.This set is a complete set of Superchargers from the Gen.I Charger,to the Gen.II 2+1 equalizers,Gen.III Tipped forward,and Twinnies.These are all tabbed for FCS use,and are fully functional.Also in the set are 2 sets of Gen.IV Tipped forward ,glue-ons.One set, is the standard gloss mf. finish,the other set, has a new exp.teflon loaded skin,I call .“Eel Skin”.The Eel Skin will be available in different colors including clear.all I have is black right now(do to costs).Stay tuned for more on the “Eel skin” coating,and some new fin Templates.I will post soon on these new designs/materials ,til then Na-Nu,Na-Nu.Herb
We had these neat little glue on fins around 1971 or 2. They gave great stability to the single fins of the day. They had a wide, thin area at the base so they could be glued on. Actually, they had double sided tape. Shaka’s to Herb for re inventing them!!! With modern shapes they are a great asset. all aloha, tom
herb, how can I get some superchargers? I live in south carolina and it seems like these could do wonders for my boards. I’ve read lots about them over the past year and would really like to try them. let me know what I gotta do. thanks for everyone’s help.
just be nice to herb…
just be nice to herb… …Bruce,nice to hear from you again,phone or e-mail when you have the time.Going to catch some now,laters,Herb