I’m curious about something concerning boards I see ridden most while in Hawaii. And this seems to be concerning
the basic thruster shortboards…
Why is it MOST of the shortboards i see the guys riding in Hawaii are heavy to rounded pin tails?
Not that I never see anything else, but I definitely notice the pins to be more frequent.
There are plenty of other types of tails being ridden in Hawaii depending upon what your favorite break and/or type of waves are.
To answer your question…round pins and pins are popular for larger more powerful waves as they generally come accompanied with less tail area (width) provding more hold in the larger powerful surf. The need for more tail area isn’t as demanding in large waves, in fact high area tails can hydroplane in the water making positraction and subsequent directional moves more difficult. Round tails effect smooth turns, while pintails offer a single pivot point and stability. This doesn’t mean that other tails are incapable of working well in large waves. Good shapers know what tail dimensions accompany each type of tail and fin configuration appropriate for the rider’s height, weight, and level of ability.
Swallow tails can provide a double pintail like hold while being wider and offering two pivot points versus one. Accelerated diamond tails offer longer overall board length while shortening the rail length. Square tails and other newer tail configurations each offer different characteristics that may or may not enhance the individual’s preferred style of riding.
Cool. Ya man actually pins and fish tails seemed to dominate over squash or square.
Just one of those things I notice when over/down there.
It occurs to me that fin placement is likely to end up futher “back” on a pin shape (relative to tail width behind the fins) if fin placement is measured up the stringer from the tail, so pins are inherently more drivey for the same fin placemen than say a squash?
Todd Proctor summed up tail shapes really well on YouTube. With a pintail the water flow follows the outline right to the very end creating more hold. Compare this with a square, where the water flow breaks away at the corner of the tail. Hence a looser feel with less hold.
Starting with a rounded pin, all other things being equal.
A swallow tail lengthens the rail and widens the tail
without adding surface area.
- It won’t roll as easy because it’s wider. That gives stability.
- It has the same surface area, so your foot position in relation
to the fins will be the same.
- It has a longer rail line to hold its direction.
A squash has slightly less rail line but more surface area.
- Less rail line holds direction less. It is easier to change direction.
- Slightly straighter rails. This would make the board track more.
That’s why it’s so important to add hips or wings. A squash with a
clean rail just isn’t going to work!
- More surface area. The rider will be able to get his foot further
back over the fins, for quicker, more square turn.
- Since it’s wider, more effort is needed to get it on edge. Squash tails
want to slash a turn more than carve. Great for tail slides.
Pin tails have almost the same rail length as a rounded pin, but with less
curvature in the back half. Also less surface area.
- Less curvature wants to track straighter.
- Less surface area will put the rider further forward off the fins. Again
this will send the rider straighter.
- Less width means less resistance to putting the board on edge. A pintail
turns by going on edge, and letting the rocker do the work, not by
standing on your back leg and swinging the nose around. To design a faster
turning pintail, add to the rocker.
Well said…
This is a good thread I think most of what is said should be add to the wiki.
I’m not sure about squash not having a bump won’t work…However I agree with everything else.
Todd Proctor summed up tail shapes really well on YouTube. With a pintail the water flow follows the outline right to the very end creating more hold. Compare this with a square, where the water flow breaks away at the corner of the tail. Hence a looser feel with less hold.
Not necessarily a bump, but some hips. Just a change in direction of the template to
keep the rails from being too parallel.
I had a squash one time where the template was too clean. It was a total fight to do
anything but set it in trim and go down the line. By adding a little width further up and
keeping the rails from being too parallel, it totally opens the board to carving.
Think about the Channel Islands MBM (or really any Channel Islands short board squash).
The rail really changes direction in front of the fins.
