noserider w/ pintail - right board for me?

General Discussion
1

I have done my research and am aware that the differences between pintail and square tail for a traditional noserider have been addressed many times on swaylocks. But I was wondering if I could get some opinions on whether the board I am about to purchase is right for someone of my size and ability.

I have been surfing for 4 years and currently ride a 8’ single fin hybrid and a 9’ high performance longboard. But I’ve always wanted a traditional log and finally found one that is affordable enough for me. I want someting that’s stable enough so that I can learn to “properly” walk the board, ride the nose, etc.

The board I am about to get is a 9’4" (19" nose, 22 1/4" wide and 3 1/8" thick) and has a rounded pin tail. I am 5’8" and weigh about 134 lbs. without wetsuit. I surf beachbreaks 99% of the time but I was planning to take this board to places like San O’.

I know a lot of good surfers who are adept at the traditional longboard style swear by squre tails for their stability. However, I also realize there are people who ride pintails exclusively. In my case, I already have two boards that turn really well so at this point I’d rather have something that’s really stable.

Is the board I am thinking of buying suitable for my weight, ability and above all my intended application?

Thanks in advance.

Mambo

2

Mambo, A very good unsung shaper, Joe Blair, shapes all his noseriders with rounded pintails. And they work. Does the one you are looking at have plenty of tail rocker? If it does, I’d say go for it. Doug

3

The round pin will give a smooth rail to rail trasition where as the square will provide a pivot point. ride wise not much different , If you like it buy it ride it keep it or pass it on. I prefer round pins all of my personal boards are exept for a pin tail.

4

I think that you should try both types of boards to find one that suits your surfing best. If you are surfing a beachbreak or San’O I would reccommend a square or diamond tail, but if you can get the board at a real good price, go for it. I would also look into getting a really upright fin, something like the Velzy Noserider from true ames if it has a box. As for the size of the board it depends on how old you are. If you plan on growing it would be a great size but right now 3 1/8 is a little thick.

5

I was surfing a square tail and having issues. Benny1 talked me into doing a pintail and it sure suits my style.

6

Hey Mambo!!

I shaped both a rp and a square my last go round. The rp was a 9’8", the square was

a 10’2". The fin placement on the two was critical. The 10’er works best as a wide base finned

board and I can sit outside the lineup at san’o by about 10’ and still catch sets. It works best

in sloping waves up to about 6’ faces.

The rp is by far my favorite board. I surf it with the other longboards, but in performance it is

a way better board. I have surfed it in waves up to double oh and it didn’t spin out or have

any control issues. A good rp tail needs a good fin set-up so make sure you experiment a little

if you go this route.

If you want to cruise and catch a lot of waves, go with the square. The

difference is in the push when the wave gets to the back of the board and you can drop in earlier and

also set up nose rides earlier. I’m not a big nose rider guy, but all my buds that do like a square

better for the earlier entry in the wave.

I surf the same waves you do, so if you decide on the square tail, I’ll see ya on the outside!

BKB