Gun bottom

I’m planning to shape a semi gun around 7’ round pin tail an killer rails. What bottom you think is best for tubey waves about 15 feet? Coul anyone describe me the difference in performance among v, various concaves, channels, reverse v?

I’m planning to shape a semi gun around 7’ round pin tail an killer rails. > What bottom you think is best for tubey waves about 15 feet? Coul anyone > describe me the difference in performance among v, various concaves, > channels, reverse v? Most often a tubey wave offers less maneuverability and more down the line surfing, A forgiving bottom, with not too hard of edges, a little roll in the nose and no need for all the bells and whistles. There are the Byrne boards with 6 deep channels that are ridden with much success at Pipe, but most Pipe boards are very conventional.

Most often a tubey wave offers less maneuverability and more down the line > surfing, A forgiving bottom, with not too hard of edges, a little roll in > the nose and no need for all the bells and whistles. There are the Byrne > boards with 6 deep channels that are ridden with much success at Pipe, but > most Pipe boards are very conventional. I would think a flat entry would be the best. Rail design is always a bit controversial. I hope to see some posted opinions her.Does anyone have any about the use of a mild central concave that is maintained and separates into a slight vee in the tail? Best, Rich

First, a 7-0 for 15 ft. surf may be a little small. As far as bottoms go there are a couple rules that apply. Everything bust be SUBTLE. You are going so fast that every design feature is greatly magnified. I tend to stay very conservative with my bottoms for these boards. For the type of wave you’re describing I would start out flat at the nose going into a slight rolled V about a foot back going to flat just ahead of wide point. Back to slight V in front of fins going to flat for the last 8 inches. Depending on the rocker I may have just a TOUCH of concave in the middle. Speaking of Rocker, you need to keep it smooth. No distinct flats or quick curves. You aren’t trying to have a really defined sweet spot. Almost the whole board needs to be the sweet spot. Turning off the bottom after a late drop when you’re not on the right spot of the board is no fun when the rocker is wrong!! For the V toward the nose; roll it a little so it doesn’t get caught in the chop. The nose v will help slot the board in the pocket as well as assisting on bumpy, steep drops. Always ride your guns for the first time when it’s smaller to get a feel for it especially if you don’t have a lot of experience shaping these boards. You don’t want to find out the board barks when you’re faced with serious conditions aloha

First, a 7-0 for 15 ft. surf may be a little small. As far as bottoms go > there are a couple rules that apply. Everything bust be SUBTLE. You are > going so fast that every design feature is greatly magnified. I tend to > stay very conservative with my bottoms for these boards. For the type of > wave you’re describing I would start out flat at the nose going into a > slight rolled V about a foot back going to flat just ahead of wide point. > Back to slight V in front of fins going to flat for the last 8 inches. > Depending on the rocker I may have just a TOUCH of concave in the middle. > Speaking of Rocker, you need to keep it smooth. No distinct flats or quick > curves. You aren’t trying to have a really defined sweet spot. Almost the > whole board needs to be the sweet spot. Turning off the bottom after a > late drop when you’re not on the right spot of the board is no fun when > the rocker is wrong!! For the V toward the nose; roll it a little so it > doesn’t get caught in the chop. The nose v will help slot the board in the > pocket as well as assisting on bumpy, steep drops. Always ride your guns > for the first time when it’s smaller to get a feel for it especially if > you don’t have a lot of experience shaping these boards. You don’t want to > find out the board barks when you’re faced with serious conditions>>> aloha Hey Tom, There’s some great advise above. I wonder if you’d have any suggestions about rail design for my new board and whether that very subtle vee in the front section would be good for the 7’7" I’m about to shape.(The Thread is below. Maybe it’d be better to include you comments there.) Any other suggests will be welcome. You/re so right that the bigger the surf and the faster the ride the more bottom & rail configuration is accentuated. Thanx, Rich