Maiden Voyage of the Edge

Got my edge back from the glass shop (Mitzven Surfboards did a fantastic job) and out into head high+ south swell glass. Had a Liddle 8.5 set at the back of the box. Spent the first few spinning 'till I found the “spot” dead in the middle like I had planned. IT WORKS!!! Rolls up on a rail and just stays there till you roll it back. Easier than a hull. Quicker from rail to rail too. Rail turns are very positive but feel way different from my Liddle. The best analogy would be a displacement hull feels like carving powder whereas the edge feels like carving pack. Biggest difference is a displacement hull kinda needs to work up through the gears but the edge seems to go from 1st to 4th. It loves the high line. It’ll hang as long as you can which is a lot different than a board with full rails and a tuck. Lessons: I gotta loose 10 pounds, A poorly foiled S-Deck (I took too much out of the nose and not enough off the tail) can really screw up paddle trim, 6’4" is 2 inches too short, Bob Mitzven’s trick with silicon gel is the key to easy lamination, the little 1/4 inch kink in the rocker just behind the fin (where the edge blends with the tail) kept the nose up on steep drops but never seemed to drag, performance in waist up to overhead waves (mostly top to bottom) was the same. Yowza!

Sounds good Lee… I noticed the high line thing also. Mine seems to slot right in and find a fast natural track.

…Bring them to the gathering S-boyz…I’d like to see them up close and in action!Herb

Yeah Lee!! Congrats! I’d love to take a close look next time I’m in S.D. I’m having some Stage 4s for a box made. That fin may be worth trying out on it.

there are ones in the a-frame surf shop in carpinteria and the beach in santa barbara by wilderness we have been on them for 15 yrs.

Absolutely Bob, I’ve done nothing new here…you guys have been working on this for years and have found out things (weight for instance) that everyone should check out. I’ve checked out your stuff at the Beach House and was happily surprised to see “out of the box” thinking was alive and well. Your advice in my shape was very much appreciated…

15 years? Thats a story! Here we go again. Prove it. Post photos of the boards you made all by yourself. I dont suppose George Greenough has anything to do with riding your shapes does he!

STOP!! Anything more is conterproductive to our collective progress.

Hey Bob, I didn’t know if you were referring to the fins or the boards. If the fins, I’d like to pick some up…thanks a bunch. -GH

Just to clear any misunderstanding… Bob Duncan did in fact make mine. See board #446. I had nothing to do with any aspect of the design. I bought it used off the rack at a shop in Ventura - my second edge board. The first (board #274) has been sold. Herb - #446 will definitely be there. I’ll be putting it in the “Ride Share” pile. You and anyone else will be welcome to check it out and ride it. Hopefully, there will be a decent turn out (and a lot of boards in that pile!)