Hello, this is the first time I post. I have been reading Swaylocks as a visitor for over 5 years now, not a shaper myself but I love to read and learn about surf vehicle design.
I am currently seeking advice on specific board dimensions for an Owl Chapman Sunset gun. Something with a lot of paddling power to catch waves way outside on deep water pointbreak/reefs with heavy offshores and currents. The board will be used mostly in double overhead waves similar to Sunset Beach. I don't mind being "over gunned" but want a board I can "comfortably" glide into medium-medium/large waves yet be able to use the board if I ever decide to paddle into some biggies. I have done some research on this type of gun and know it can be surfed with from 2'-4' Sunset Point all the way to 15' + real Sunset. Like I said, I will be using it mostly in 6'-8' hawaiian size but want to own something I can grow into as my physical condition, lungs and mental conditioning improves.
Currently I surf a roundpin single fin Junod longboard 9' X 18" X 22 1/2" X 14" X 2 7/8" from knee high all the way to double overhead tubes. At this size, 2XOH and bigger, it becomes challenging to control and the wide nose doesn't help with the off shores. This is my first single fin and I love it but I definitely need a gun. Depending on conditions I also ride a fish, a 9'10" heavy noserider, a 6'3" tri fin thruster, mat, bodyboard, do a lot of bodysurfing and I am learning to kneeboard so I am very open minded in my approach to surfing. I have been surfing for over 20 years and have surfed shortboards from the late 80's all the way through the 90's and 2000's (did the 6'1" X 18 1/4" X 2 1/4" thing when I was 160 lbs). I began longboarding in the 90's and I currently seldom ride my 3 fin. Currently I am 5'10" 215 lbs (160 lbs lean, rest is fat) and surf 2-3 times a week (have work and kid).
I have been trying to get a custom Owl Chapman through a friend who owns a surf shop in Puerto Rico (where I live) but it seems to be very difficult unless you go to Hawaii. Winter is around the corner, Hurricanes are pumping and yet no gun... A couple of weeks ago I talked with my friend and considered ordering a bonzer gun from Malcom Campbell instead, but I really don't know how a bonzer will feel and how a bonzer of similar dimensions will compare to the board I really want.
I was thinkin something between 9' and 9'6" or even 10'. Around 22" wide and 3 1/4"+ thick with really heavy glass for the off shores and a pulled in tail single fin. Nose around 13" to 14" wide??? Low entry rocker for the paddling. Mission: paddle current, catch wave way outside, glide into it, bottom turn, ride with wave and exit to the safety of the channel. Not interested in "performance surfing", just the ride... Will also use the board to train and develop paddling endurance when it's flat. By the way, I am not a wave hog, I just like the glide and If my weight was 175 lbs I would still want a board like that.
I was considering ordering from a local shaper with experience but I know I will need help with dimensions as I doubt anyone in Puerto Rico has ever shaped a board like this.
Does anyone here own an Owl Chapman gun similar to the one I want and can post dimensions: Outline, Foil, Rails, Rocker, Bottom Contour, Fin Placement, Glass Job etc? Any help and/or advice will be greatly appreciated.