For California…6-8 foot waves. US Blanks 7-7A with custom stringer. Round pin…I’ve worked through several personal issues,crew is pushing me back to old self. Last surf trip overhead surf was no problem… need to be able to duck dive the board so I don’t panic. Pin tail or round pin always seemed to be the right thing for bigger surf. I never put much thought into it…Ray
1: ‘’…they are so fast (looking!)‘’ 2: ‘’…are the fastest (looking)‘’
Don’t be misled by appearances. It is no accident that Mr. Curren’s big wave Guns have squaretails. Mine either, for that matter. I’ve ridden both designs in Hawaiian waves up to 20 feet, and beyond. (my avatar is on a 10’ 3’’ PinTail) There is a speed difference, albeit a small one. However, in those kind of waves, and conditions, even a 1% advantage is worth embracing. At 25mph, (approx 36 feet/sec) a typical speed in large waves, it can easily be the difference between making the wave or not. To compare apples to apples, the PinTail needs to be approx 5% longer than the SqTail. Size for size, the SqTail is faster. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
I like the way round pins ride in the toob. I don’t or have not surfed 20 (20 foot 'Hawaiian) foot waves so I’ll take Bill’s word for it. Mr. Curren’s too. Mike
One of the old time surfers here on Oahu swears by his design below and I know a bunch of people who have tremendous respect for the man.
http://www.surfingheritage.org/2010/05/john-kelly-hydrofoil.html
Eh big thanks for bringin’ John Kelly up.
An important innovater and craftsman.
There are a few on the mainland who feel the same!
And not many as crazy as me.
SOS is also remembered and in revival out here between friends.
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/J%20Kelly%20#1_0.png
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/J%20Kelly%20#2_0.png
Wow.
I was in diapers when that was patented.
Cool stuff.
Pretty forward thinking for the time.
Look at the total straight line rocker from center to the fin.
Lots going on there.
Innovative.
Original.
What’s your take Bill?
Matty, you need to add the channels to that step like Tommy Peterson’s Fireball Fish.
Never done a channel bottom. Ridden a few my brother had, but not enough to have an opinion on them.
Matt,
The photos of both Buzzy, and Ryan Dotson, date from 1964, (IMO). Both boards shaped by Brewer. Buzzy’s board had three 3/4th inch Redwood stringers, down the center, as well as a deep concave in the tail. Ryan’s board had the much more common two Redwood stringers, down the center. Brings back lots of memories.
Woohoo - way to go, stingray surf trip!
What’s with the fake snakes on the deck (I hope they’re fake anyway) ? Is it to keep the birds away?
“Is it to keep the birds away?”
Hi wooddave -
They are real and those are just two of them. There are many more on board. It seems that after Ray found out his aluminum foil hats weren’t working, he took up snake handling.
You know, if one of the snakes bites you and you live? It is the will of the great god almighty and there will be surf!
If one bites you and you die? WELLLLLL… It is the will of the great lord almighty!
Here is an actual photo of Ray taken on that trip…
Ray kinda looks like a bummer to hang out with.
Look at all the rules behind him.
Have fun, and get some for me.
Those are Pin Tail snakes. I’ve got fire in my eyes! Follow the Rules Barry !!!
…too much fun…Ray
Eh Ray,
If you miss the sneaker swell.
Grab the Trinidad
That can’t be Ray. One of the rules states, No Gossiping. Mike
Check out the knarled, twisted fingers on ‘Ray’s’ hands. I bet he’s been hit a couple times. Not good. Mike
