I re read some of the recent biscuit threads and am getting curious to the point of maybe venturing a board. Not sure what I want, but thinking it would be a synthesis of several ideas. Beyond sub-5’10" and pretty wide, I’m not sure where to go with it.
Are there some other names to search on for these types of boards? I know I have seen (and ignored) threads on these before.
I’m an old guy and a 6-0 Lis type fish is about as short as I have gone.
Take a look at the slippah on the Downing Hawaii web site. It’s similar to a McCoy nugget in outline. I found these boards to be a lot of fun. Different from a fish, but just as loose. Probably better as a quad than a 3-fin. The slippahs have a flatter deck, so it has more volume than a domed deck board.
I prefer adding a little thickness instead of a little width. I don’t like boards over 21 1/2 inches wide. I also think a thicker tail helps on the short boards.
The one on the left is a larger board…but it actually looks better small and fat. The other is a 5’8’’ I already posted these on another thread, but it’s seemed appropriate.
Bernie has my Slippah, and he also has a larger one. I’ll try to get dims when I see him. Here’s a link to the Southpoint site. They sell 2 versions, a 6’3" and a 6’7".
Bernie has a 6’8" and I used to use it a lot. It paddles very well, but it was a bit wide in the tail for me. I would be able to keep up with the longboarders as far as catching waves, but it was way more maneuverable. I have a 6’0", but I’m too heavy for that board now if the waves aren’t at least head high. Keone told me I should ride a 6’2", but I got the 6’0".
Bernie has my Slippah, and he also has a larger one. I’ll try to get dims when I see him. Here’s a link to the Southpoint site. They sell 2 versions, a 6’3" and a 6’7".
Bernie has a 6’8" and I used to use it a lot. It paddles very well, but it was a bit wide in the tail for me. I would be able to keep up with the longboarders as far as catching waves, but it was way more maneuverable. I have a 6’0", but I’m too heavy for that board now if the waves aren’t at least head high. Keone told me I should ride a 6’2", but I got the 6’0".
That Slippah is a nice looking board. Very similar to a nugget. I like the lines.
Now that you mention it, I guess I do keep asking the same question. Maybe instead of a smaller board I just need counceling. LB’s are fun but I don’t want to give up the SB. (And so, Greg, how does that make you feel?)
I’m riding a 6-8 fishy shape on the ‘right days’, but seeing the bullets and biscuits got me dreaming about 6-0’s. I love duck diving little boards under big waves and squirting out the back.
I’m curious though, about bottom contours and tail width. Wide tails may need some vee. Or not.
I know this has all been done before. I’m just in the data gathering mode to see what I can mix and match up.
Meanwhile its 8000 yds a week in the pool while I fight the clock.
I’m about the same age as you and about 30-40 pounds over weight depending on how bad work is… 5’8" 195-205lbs right now
I’m one of only two other guys my age in the lineup who still rides shortboards
My smallest board is a 6’2" 5fin Griffin Fish poly which paddles and rides just as well as anything 6"-12" longer. I don’t think I would go smaller than 6’2"x21"x2.8" but I’d bet it’s possible.
The slipahs are nice boards they remind me of nuggets without Geoff’s bottom which I think is the secret sauce for a design like that.
When Mark(Sr Pato) came here we paddled out to junky Barbers Point with the 6’8" Downing Slipah and the 6’2" Griffin 5fin fish. I think both of us would agree that the smaller Griffin fish out paddled and out surfed the Downing.
If I was doing laps like you and not surfing once every month or two I bet I could get down to a 6’0" or a 5’8" Griff fish…
BTW
my blurry avatar clip is from an overhead day at a favorite spot of mine called Johns riding a 7’6"x22"x3" double winged Jeff Ho Sunset Beach superfat boy fish I got from SurfnSea Haleiwa. The board looks small in the pic but in reality it was a pig at 7’6" compared to the 6’2" Griffin. Which taught me paddling efficiency has nothing to do with volume but more with design.
I actually have a 6’2"x22"x1.75" thick magic carpet quad(corecell fins) fish bamboo compsand I modeled after Bert’s favorite ride that I’ve been able to ride with some effort. Definitely a trip feeling the water rush under your feet.