Im looking for some guidance, experience, input, etc or just plain grief on the recommended measurements, mainly the rocker dims for a 9’ longboard, typical log style, that will be used to tandem with my 3 year old son in mostly mushy, waist high or less surf. I take him out now on a 9’ McTavish but its much too thin to be able to stand up and then snatch him up and stay down the line. Im about 5’8" 155 with fairly decent surfing skills. Not looking for any high performace dimensions, just a typical small wave hog that will paddle ok with the two of us on there but be able to catch and plane fairly easy with good volume… I searched the archives and found lots of info just nothing for this particular issue. I know its not comon but I also know there are some great shapers here with a wealth of knowledge. I coyuld fumble my way if necessary on the main dim, width, thickness, nose tail etc, but no clue on the rocker set ups at all…I appreciate any help or opinions.
Here’s a couple videos of my daughter when she was about 5 about 1998. We used a standard 10’ board. I also made one that was slightly thicker, but we buckled it in big waves when she was in her teens.
Those videos are awesome Sharcountry,priceless to have as they grow up as well. Beautiful board by the way,Thats exactly what I have in mind, do you recall the rocker dimensions on the board or how much flat you had in it? The plan shape I have roughed out has a much wider tail, rounded squash, or thumb tail, but second guessing myself now after seeing yours. Might need to taper it in a bit to looseen it up. What was the fin set up on that one? .Thanks for input, I appreciate it.
Don’t know the dims, but I’d say standard 10’ longboard rocker. Probably 5.5" nose rocker and 3.5’ to 4" in the tail and a smooth flowing curve. Single fin. This outline was from my brother’s 10’ country surfboard shaped by Jim Turnbull. The board in the videos. I made this board in 2005. The Turnbull is a very good board. The tail allows you to turn easily.
I didn’t worry about the rocker dims, I make the length and width, then get out my outline template. I went by eye and what looked good for the rocker based on what the blank allowed, just kept it smooth. This was an EPS blank a friend made for me based on his rockers. I added concave under the nose and slight vee out the tail from the fin. I used a long center fin box and probably had it about 5" from the tail, maybe a little bit more. I usually stick the fin on the board and look at it and if it looks good, I set the box so I can have some room to go back and forth.