I’m an “old Guy” currently riding a 9.0 Stuart . I would like to work my way down to a shorter board but have a problem with the paddeling issue. Is there a general length/shape that will give me more mobility but still give reasonable paddeling performance. Thanks
I’m an “old Guy” currently riding a 9.0 Stuart . I would like to > work my way down to a shorter board but have a problem with the paddeling > issue. Is there a general length/shape that will give me more mobility but > still give reasonable paddeling performance. Thanks My favorite mid-length is 8’8". It has a surprisingly smaller feel than a 9’0", but still paddles well. If you keep the nose width under 17.5" (one foot back) and keep the thickness over 3" you will be able to move through the water with ease. Depends on your height and weight, of course.
My favorite mid-length is 8’8". It has a surprisingly smaller feel > than a 9’0", but still paddles well. If you keep the nose width under > 17.5" (one foot back) and keep the thickness over 3" you will be > able to move through the water with ease. Depends on your height and > weight, of course. Paul made this one 8’8" board, similar to what he’s describing, that absolutely ripped-he’s made several since and should be working on mine right now instead of posting on this site!!If you can get in touch with him to discuss the merits of one of his 8’8"'s
I’m an “old Guy” currently riding a 9.0 Stuart . I would like to > work my way down to a shorter board but have a problem with the paddeling > issue. Is there a general length/shape that will give me more mobility but > still give reasonable paddeling performance. Thanks 8’ to the 8’8" range (as described by Paul) is a good step, although once you close in on the lower 8’ range you can get into the actual design parameters…a “longboard” shape or “big shortboard/hybrid” board, along with fin quantity issues. Ignore those who say a longboard under 9’ is a “girl’s board” should that particular situation arise.
8’ to the 8’8" range (as described by Paul) is a good step, although > once you close in on the lower 8’ range you can get into the actual design > parameters…a “longboard” shape or “big > shortboard/hybrid” board, along with fin quantity issues. Ignore > those who say a longboard under 9’ is a “girl’s board” should > that particular situation arise. I’m not talking about a range of length, I’m talking about 8’8" specifically. A lot of thing come together at that length. It isn’t a longboard, and it isn’t a shortboard, but it does work.
I’m not talking about a range of length, I’m talking about 8’8" > specifically. A lot of thing come together at that length. It isn’t a > longboard, and it isn’t a shortboard, but it does work. Yes, this is an excellent length for an allrounder at about 21.5" in width. I think the next step down is 8’3" I have a couple of them that I wouldn’t part with for the world. If you drop another 3" and narrow things a little you start getting into some serious acceleration. Gone Surfin’, Rich
Yes, this is an excellent length for an allrounder at about 21.5" in > width. I think the next step down is 8’3" I have a couple of them > that I wouldn’t part with for the world. If you drop another 3" and > narrow things a little you start getting into some serious acceleration.>>> Gone Surfin’, Rich Me too! Out the door in a few minutes. The thing about 8’8" is that there is enough length to provide some pendulum effect, but not so much that you have to herd it around like a true longboard. When you get closer to 8’, that pendulum effect goes away, but you are still left with a bit too much length to really ride it like shortboard. For me personally, 7’9" to 8’7" is a kind of no-man’s land. Of course, this varies with the shaper, fin set-up, surfer, and waves ridden. This is just my experience.
The thing about 8’8" is that there is enough length to provide some > pendulum effect, but not so much that you have to herd it around like a > true longboard. When you get closer to 8’, that pendulum effect goes away, > but you are still left with a bit too much length to really ride it like > shortboard. For me personally, 7’9" to 8’7" is a kind of > no-man’s land.>>> Of course, this varies with the shaper, fin set-up, surfer, and waves > ridden. This is just my experience. Interesting you speak of 8’8" specifically. The best longboard I ever enjoyed was an 8’6" or 8’7", and anything over 9’ seemed excessive to me. Would I be incorrect to assume the 8’8" might change a bit depending on size of rider? And since this started just about length, would your 8’8" be a single fin, 2 plus 1, tri, or hull?
Interesting you speak of 8’8" specifically. The best longboard I ever > enjoyed was an 8’6" or 8’7", and anything over 9’ seemed > excessive to me. Would I be incorrect to assume the 8’8" might change > a bit depending on size of rider? And since this started just about > length, would your 8’8" be a single fin, 2 plus 1, tri, or hull? I just want to put my two cents worth… My first true longboard was shaped by Robert August in 76 i think and it was 8’0 and it was great you could still nose ride geting a clean close 5. It’s just to short to get ten for very long… It was 21 wide… Now i just made a MiniMe 8’2 x 21 x 2 3/4 it’s just a scaled down 9’2 Tank that i’ve been building myself every summer for years… The idea was to build a smaller board for those who just hate fighting a 9 footer and the small people. Glass on 8 1/2" single fin. I find a single fin LB 8’ or 9’ ride better then a tri. You can round house a single fin just as good as any tri can. The plus is a single just nose ride better. Hell your turning with rail as much as fin. The right temp, rails and rocker can make a single fin rule… Tri fin LB are as funny as a 6 2 with a 18" nose??? Build or buy what you ride based on what they do best?? As far as length don’t be afraid of droping a foot you may just want a 6’2 rip stick next year…
I just want to put my two cents worth… My first true longboard was > shaped by Robert August in 76 i think and it was 8’0 and it was great you > could still nose ride geting a clean close 5. It’s just to short to get > ten for very long… It was 21 wide…>>> Now i just made a MiniMe 8’2 x 21 x 2 3/4 it’s just a scaled down 9’2 Tank > that i’ve been building myself every summer for years…>>> The idea was to build a smaller board for those who just hate fighting a 9 > footer and the small people. Glass on 8 1/2" single fin. I find a > single fin LB 8’ or 9’ ride better then a tri. You can round house a > single fin just as good as any tri can. The plus is a single just nose > ride better. Hell your turning with rail as much as fin. The right temp, > rails and rocker can make a single fin rule… Tri fin LB are as funny as a > 6 2 with a 18" nose???>>> Build or buy what you ride based on what they do best??>>> As far as length don’t be afraid of droping a foot you may just want a 6’2 > rip stick next year… I like Pauls ideas.I would use super green blanks with a full on six ounce or more glass job…glossed.That type board needs some momentum…R.B.
Interesting you speak of 8’8" specifically. The best longboard I ever > enjoyed was an 8’6" or 8’7", and anything over 9’ seemed > excessive to me. Would I be incorrect to assume the 8’8" might change > a bit depending on size of rider? And since this started just about > length, would your 8’8" be a single fin, 2 plus 1, tri, or hull? Nels, I think the 8’8" length can successfully be made in more different ways than any other single length. I prefer a single fin, but then again, I would say that about virtually any length board! That’s just me. Very few out there would agree. More than anything, the rocker determines what a board that length calls for in terms of outline and fin set-up. A good shaper will know how to combine what with what. The thickness flow of an 8’8" is also widly variable. I’ve had 8’8"s that you could knee paddle high and dry, and others that sat below the water level when you got on them. It all depends!