So I’m embarking on another shape finally. Going to be another HD eps blank because I want to correct the mistakes I made in the first board I made which came out somewhat badly… I started this project last year but put it aside, so now I’m taking it on again. I’m planning on making a CI Biscuit type thruster, and when I made my template last year I for some reason decided to make it a 5’0 x 20" shape. Now I’m looking at it and thinking… um 5’0? Was I crazy? I ride a number of different boards, the shortest being a 5’6 retro fish, which I love, but I wanted to do a more experimental board and this really short template was what I came up with. Now since I’m at the stage where I can still change around my dimensions, I’m wondering, should I add a couple inches onto this board? Or will 5’0 be fun and doable? My stats are: I’m 5’8, in shape and 150 pounds.
I’m debating in my mind whether I should just go for it, see what happens, or play it safe and add a couple inches. Any thoughts? Will 5’0 not even be ridable for someone my height? I’ve been watching all these videos of Machado and Reynolds surfing these tiny biscuits, fishcuits and whatnot, but I’m not sure of their dimensions, except for Machado who was riding a 5’2x19 1/3 biscuit and ripping on it.
I guess I should post my final pics of the board and a little comment…
Here’s how it turned out. I think I figured out that the EPS foam I use form HD is what makes the boards yellow, not the other epoxy I originally used. I made some seriously critical errors in the design of this thing. Essentially, it’s way too thick, and has WAY too much rocker. It’s really severe, and my fin position ultimately killed this board for wave riding potential. From my attempts at riding this thing: The rocker is so intense, and the fins are too far back, resulting in a feeling like the tail of the board does not engage into the face of the wave when I’m up on it. It sort of skates out from underneath me. But good news, I tried the board towing behind the boat wakeboard style with a tow rope, and with my foot far enough back on the tail, this thing performs insanely well for ripping up a wake. I’m not sure if this means that it will work in the waves if I just force my back foot all the way to the edge of the tail, but for now it works great as a wake surfer. Any suggestions?
And I realize this thing is ugly as sin, but it was a great learning experience, and it came out exponentially better than my first attempt (if you can believe that hahaha) But next board I do I’ll most likely buy a legitimate blank and have better dimensions to follow.
I guess I should post my final pics of the board and a little comment…
Here’s how it turned out. I think I figured out that the EPS foam I use form HD is what makes the boards yellow, not the other epoxy I originally used. I made some seriously critical errors in the design of this thing. Essentially, it’s way too thick, and has WAY too much rocker. It’s really severe, and my fin position ultimately killed this board for wave riding potential. From my attempts at riding this thing: The rocker is so intense, and the fins are too far back, resulting in a feeling like the tail of the board does not engage into the face of the wave when I’m up on it. It sort of skates out from underneath me. But good news, I tried the board towing behind the boat wakeboard style with a tow rope, and with my foot far enough back on the tail, this thing performs insanely well for ripping up a wake. I’m not sure if this means that it will work in the waves if I just force my back foot all the way to the edge of the tail, but for now it works great as a wake surfer. Any suggestions?
And I realize this thing is ugly as sin, but it was a great learning experience, and it came out exponentially better than my first attempt (if you can believe that hahaha) But next board I do I’ll most likely buy a legitimate blank and have better dimensions to follow.
i wanna surf small boards like eggs. the picture with you and that blue board. how much would it coast if you could shape one for me and ship it to delaware. i weigh 150 and im 5'9. i really like that board
i wanna surf small boards like eggs. the picture with you and that blue board. how much would it coast if you could shape one for me and ship it to delaware. i weigh 150 and im 5'9. i really like that board
I guess I should post my final pics of the board and a little comment…
Here’s how it turned out. I think I figured out that the EPS foam I use form HD is what makes the boards yellow, not the other epoxy I originally used. I made some seriously critical errors in the design of this thing. Essentially, it’s way too thick, and has WAY too much rocker. It’s really severe, and my fin position ultimately killed this board for wave riding potential. From my attempts at riding this thing: The rocker is so intense, and the fins are too far back, resulting in a feeling like the tail of the board does not engage into the face of the wave when I’m up on it. It sort of skates out from underneath me. But good news, I tried the board towing behind the boat wakeboard style with a tow rope, and with my foot far enough back on the tail, this thing performs insanely well for ripping up a wake. I’m not sure if this means that it will work in the waves if I just force my back foot all the way to the edge of the tail, but for now it works great as a wake surfer. Any suggestions?
And I realize this thing is ugly as sin, but it was a great learning experience, and it came out exponentially better than my first attempt (if you can believe that hahaha) But next board I do I’ll most likely buy a legitimate blank and have better dimensions to follow.
Hi there, I have ridden 5’0s one by learmo. I am 5’8 170 and a competent surfer. I think that is a very doable size for you for small punchy waves. I would go 21 and push the wide point up above center and keep some foam under the chest I ride a 5’6 that is similar to what I am talking about I don’t like th huge tail on small boards if you pull your tail in it will help with the control issues you have with micro eggs. If you surf every day and are fit I would def say shape it. The 5’0 I rode hade more foam than my short board at 5’11 2 1/8 by 18 1/18.
Go for it! I shape a 5’0" biscuit/bonzer thing. Usual dims are 5’0" x 21-22" x 2 3/4-3" Keep up the volume, and push some of it to under your chest. It will definitely help with paddling. As long as you’re quick on your feet you should have no problems. Mine have pretty low rocker usually, under 4" in the nose, and about 1.5" in the tail.
Nice. I’m from RI too actually. I surf in the Newport/Middletown area mostly. Do you have any pics of your biscuit you shaped? I feel like I saw a pic of it posted a long time ago and that’s what inpspired me.
So many people from RI, I’m kind of surprised! Here’s a pic of the first one I shaped with the guy who owns it. This was a homemade blank from 2lb EPS. It’s 2 7/8" thick, which with the EPS was actually a bit too much. The second one was 2 1/4" and PU but it hasn’t been ridden enough to tell if that’s an ideal volume.
If you need any help with shaping/glassing or ever just want to talk shop, let me know. I need more excuses to drive across the bridge.
if you are an experienced shortboarder, an outline with slightly fuller nose + a bit of extra width, no need to pile on the thickness. I’m 5’8 @ 144lbs - and for most of last summer rode this 5’4 x 19 x 2-1/8 PUPE quad.
Works really well - specs, some pics and a vid here-
Thanks everyone for the input and advice. Rachel, I’ll definitely hit you up for some shaping/glassing advice sometime. Nice to know there are people here from RI.
Anyway, I took a stab at shaping something today. Changed the dimensions to 5’1 x 20" x 3" It came out better than my last shape, which is not saying much at all. It’s chunky in some places, and a bit deformed… Since it was Home Depot insulation foam, I had to glue the sheets together, and the gorilla glue I used spread too far in some places, which made it hard to sand through on a couple spots near the rails. I also made a mess of my yard… But it’s been another good learning experience, and I’ll probably tweak it a bit tomorow, seal it and then glass it since I have some supplies left over from the last board I made. Again, thanks for the advice everyone.
So I know this thread is super old but I’m about to shape myself something real similar to this a 5’4 by 18 7/8th but im really trying to dial in the rocker, a good thickness, and some demensions for like a foot off the nose and a foot off the tail. What rocker demsions did you use and what fin placement? thruster or quad? How far back were your keel fins?
