Here are some more. It is based on Larry’s Makaha Missile but ended up a bit narrower in the tail (a bit more like Larry’s Hustler - see overlay below).
I wanted it for fast hollow waves which unfortunately isn’t what Noosa is known for so haven’t had a chance to give it a good test yet. Maybe a trip to the Gold Coast soon or an Indo trip in Nov.
Thanks Waz for those pics and highly detailed info.
Would you say that your design is swinging towards more a mini surfboard, I’m going to try the other end of the influence with a bodyboard inspired foam board, hopefully we can compare how they go in the future.
I’ve bodyboarded & rode regular surfboards for the last 30 years. I regular boogie boards in the early 80’s and stumbled on a fibreglass one around 84 (see photo). It had rounded surfboard rails and small keel fins. It was great for fast hollow waves (it was pretty dinged up and gave it away in the early 90s). Since then, I have mostly rode surfboards with the occasional boogie board session.
The speed of the fibreglass boards is amazing - a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to getting back into it.
I’ve got no idea when it comes to design but given the boogie boards have stuck with 50/50 rails, I can’t see it not working. With some fin boxes, you can try it with or without.
Austin’s template from Uncle Grumpy is obviously bodyboard inspired and I thought the rails were 50/50 style but Austin mentioned that they were surfboard style (I could have misunderstood but that was my impression).
Either way, look forward to hearing how it turns out.
Attached are photos of two Malcolm Campbell bonzer paipo made for Robert Moynier. Robert tells me they will be on show at San Diego for the Sacred Craft exhibition.
A while back I did an interview with Robert. We have discussed an update to this interview which will include additional photos of these boards.
re: “Austin’s template from Uncle Grumpy is obviously bodyboard inspired and I
thought the rails were 50/50 style but Austin mentioned that they were
surfboard style (I could have misunderstood but that was my impression).”
Well, not quite. The Austin template, rocker and rail profile is based upon my design developed & refined over a few decades, basically a carbon copy of a board I gave him to with some minor design changes that had not been incorporated in past boards. The Austin Paipo baseline design is suited for riding in a wide range of conditions but over time was adapted for some weaker surf that is prevelant along the USA East Coast. The Checkered RPM, basically the same board but slightly thinner and narrower, is optimized for more powerful or punchier surf.
It is not bodyboard inspired as I never rode the Morey Boogie style boards. What characteristics the bodyboard and Austin share, in a general sense, are minimal rocker, flat bottoms and relatively parallel rails. From there the influences are more rooted in “modern” surfboard/kneeboard traditions (construction method, fins, rail shapes). But the devil is in the details!
sounds like you’ve had a few, be great to see them in a post to see them all and their progression and changes…but thats a bit or work so dont blame ya if ya dont wanna post em all up…but I’d be interested for sure as I enjoyed shaping these type of boards and hope to do more…
[quote="$1"]
Attached are photos of two Malcolm Campbell bonzer paipo made for Robert Moynier. Robert tells me they will be on show at San Diego for the Sacred Craft exhibition. Bob
[/quote]
I was able to speak with Robert briefly last weekend.
His boards (especially the handles) are based on the Candy Calhoun board and he tells me he rides the boards waxless as did Candy.
It frees him up to slide around, to apply torque as needed. He also mentioned he's been riding them recently with just the Bonzer finlets.
I wouldn't mind adding one of these to the quiver.
Well back to resurect this thread from the dead bearly a year on!!
Witht he cost of bodyboards being so low now I was finding it hard to dig in my pocket to have a board 3 times the price of a bodyboard made then i would use for 10% of my surfing. But the chance has come up the deliver a surfboard to the usa on my next winter trip in exchange for a bellyboard!
So I have taken influence/stolen Tom's hull and rail design, incorperating the chine rail/outer V and deep concave into a 3' 8 1/4" foam/fiberglass bellyboard.
My board will be finless (and FCS boxes) can be easily added later is needed.
It seems finless and finned require two very differant rail designs, fingers crossed this thing works!
Picture to follow soon!!!
Any new paipo/belly board action since i have been gone?
I added a couple more to my Checkered RPM series, both of which I call “S&S” Checkered RPMs. They are slightly narrower and a bit thinner. These boards feel like skimmers when flying across the face of the wave. The Blue/Black RPM and the Sun and Sea are pre-positioned at overseas locations.
I've gone wider and thinner - my last board was as thin as I'd go, 1 5/8" at the thickest point. I don't know about really different rails needed to surf finned & finless. My boards are made to surf finless but surf fine with fins. With twin fins, I think getting the right location for the fins is an issue. I find fins most useful in fuller waves, but it also depends on how you want to surf.
My boards have more parallel rails than Rods - the tail on this one is a little more pulled in (to ride choppier waves). Next time I'll revert back to my usual tail.
He talks about how a "hard rail" releases water break free so works with fins, and how a soft/chine rail has bite and does not require fins. There are a thousandways to skin a cat, but it seems some are better than others.
I would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the differing dynamics? Are we talking weight distribution/pressure or maybe the fact a prone rider may be trailing their swim fins in the water? or somthing else?
