for big,big waves. I have some great ideas + some reputible numbers. ANY INPUT:weight,length,widths,tails,fin set-ups,glassing,foam,stringers,foot placement,and straps used,etc.etc.etc… Let’s see you guys fly on this one!Herb.
The ones I’ve seen in Hawaii are short (6’to 7’) very narrow (17-19")built like fiberglass tanks, and very, very heavy (including some with inlaid weights in them). Straps are available from windsurfing shops.
for big,big waves.>>> I have some great ideas + some reputible numbers.>>> ANY INPUT:weight,length,widths,tails,fin > set-ups,glassing,foam,stringers,foot placement,and straps > used,etc.etc.etc…>>> Let’s see you guys fly on this one!Herb. >>>>>?> Herb, Tow in at the pier? Please give more detail as to what type of wave this is for, or just a project. I used to ghost shape for Brewer so I’ve got a fair bit of info, and also built tow boards for Cloudbreak. sk
I do not know firsthand what works well, but I can tell you a couple things Bob Pearson did for Jay, Skindog, Barney, etc. when I worked at the shop. Gunny outline 7’ something, narrow, low rails with a hard bottom edge, not a whole lot of rocker, thinly foiled, glass on thruster setup. The one thing he did that sounds different from what other guy’s do was kept the weight down. 1 layer 6 oz. bottom, 2 layers deck and that’s it (well, the straps). I’m not sure what his theory is but he was into it. He thinks outside the box with his boards when the customer isn’t adamently staying in it;ie, when given the chance. I liked the fact that he thought everything out, and did not do something just because everyone else was.
Into a pier?..I knew I should have listened to D.D…BUT SERIOUSLY!!! I have a break in the outer harbor area in the North O.C. AREA that breaks over a rock spill by a oil rig.It probably breaks once or twice a year,alot like say Sunset,but goes both ways,and starts at 12-15’ to an unlimited height. Other places too,here in Cali like Ralphs,and The T.J. SLOUGHS. enough info for you sk?Herb.
Into a pier?..I knew I should have listened to D.D…BUT > SERIOUSLY!!!>>> I have a break in the outer harbor area in the North O.C. AREA that breaks > over a rock spill by a oil rig.It probably breaks once or twice a > year,alot like say Sunset,but goes both ways,and starts at 12-15’ to an > unlimited height.>>> Other places too,here in Cali like Ralphs,and The T.J. SLOUGHS. enough > info for you sk?Herb. >>>>> That helps a bit, I’ve seen pictures of the oil rig peak, regarding Ralphs area I think around the corner a bit more is what you are thinking of, Little Waimea(big rights, northwest swell xtra big!) As far as the Sloughs is concerned it hasn’t been tow surfed yet, we have been talking about it for the last few years.Its not Mavericks, but it will give you plenty to think about when you make a mistake out there on a big day. The boards I made last year were solid , with boards about 15 lbs. average weight. Foam weight being Supergreen or Classic, with 5 3/16 spruce stringers.As far as lengths are concerned, 6’2" to 7’2" , hard squaretails or roundtails on them. Widths were between 16 1/2" to 17". Rail line is boxy, with a pretty firm tucked under edge. Bottom contour, single concave from the entry point back thru the fins (tri fin set up). Thickness about 2". Fin system used was Red-x, but instalation was a bit of a hassle due to the concave thru fin area. As far as fin tow in angle, imagine your putting them on a 13’ gun. Hardwear for footsraps is available thru Da Kine Sailboard products. I hope this helps a bit,sk
I have just listed a pic on the board page under"other"(it isn’t up yet,but with Mike’s permission it should be up soon).I have ridden some of these breaks,paddle in,but I would like to venture into tow-in,starting at some or all of these spots.The sloughs gets BIG!!!I REMEMBER as a kid watching it break from my house which was a mile or so from the beach,by climbing up a tall spruce tree in our backyard…Herb.
I’ll validate that photo – even though it’s a bit off topic. Look for it Monday or Tuesday after Ramon’s new post. S
Into a pier?..I knew I should have listened to D.D…BUT > SERIOUSLY!!!>>> I have a break in the outer harbor area in the North O.C. AREA that breaks > over a rock spill by a oil rig.It probably breaks once or twice a > year,alot like say Sunset,but goes both ways,and starts at 12-15’ to an > unlimited height.>>> Other places too,here in Cali like Ralphs,and The T.J. SLOUGHS. enough > info for you sk?Herb. If you try to tow-in at Ralphs (or any Sunset Cliffs break) you will probably encounter both the locals and the Coast Guard (there is some enforcement of the “no jet ski zone” law in San Diego, more so these days!) but if you pick a big enough day I doubt that either would be a problem at the Sloughs. If you go after a rain, though, make sure you’ve had your hepatitis shots! Also I read an interview w/ Gerry Lopez in which he said that his latest tow-in boards actually have slight negative rocker in the tail… an interesting design feature.
If you try to tow-in at Ralphs (or any Sunset Cliffs break) you will > probably encounter both the locals and the Coast Guard (there is some > enforcement of the “no jet ski zone” law in San Diego, more so > these days!) but if you pick a big enough day I doubt that either would be > a problem at the Sloughs. If you go after a rain, though, make sure you’ve > had your hepatitis shots! Also I read an interview w/ Gerry Lopez in which > he said that his latest tow-in boards actually have slight negative rocker > in the tail… an interesting design feature. I was hoping for some of the heavy weights to post after talking with them at length on the phone ,but oh well…A special thanks to the sk and everyone that gave me input on and off this site.Herb.