I want to do something. I want to shape something i can take out and paddle to keep in shape when the surf is small, but also keep some functionality to it so that i can surf it as well. Should i just shape a 10’6 or should i try to give it some paddleboard qualities? I’m 165 lbs., 5’10.
I made some surf/paddle boards for some guys in your area. They really liked the ones that were a lot like
a surfboard in the rear half. Thruster set up and removeable fins. Front half was more like a displacement
hull…
Template is not like a longboard, much more gunned or tapered. Plenty thick, like 4 inches and 20 inches wide.
you length would be a good minimum.
there was an article in surfers journal a while a go (not sure when) about a fellow in hawaii who had just what you describe done by joe Quigg—it looked really neat…i think the guy was involved in hawaiian fabrics and art----i will go delve into the pile of SJ’s later today 
That would’ve been a Quigg made for Dale Hope. I’ve seen this kind of board made by Joe Bark, Steve Boehne, Mike Eaton & Dave Parmenter have made several of these. There was a story last year in Surfer Mag about a couple Malloys and a friend paddling arount Pt. Conception. I’ve seen a lot of guys in Santa Cruz paddling bigger gunny style boards in the races up that way. I’ve got a couple racing paddleboards, but I had a 10’6" I used for cross-country surfing amongst a few spots over a couple miles. It’s a fun diversion and a good workout.
bump. i too am really interested in such hybrids & would appreciate hearing about ideas for building them. pictures too i hope.
Biz,
5-10 & 165? See if you can score, have made, or make your own version of a Skip Frye 11’-6".
There’s a bunch in the archives about these boards - and in various periodicals. Made by a man who really has no peers in this area. Though they’re “surf” boards, at 165 lbs. you could paddle for miles on an 11-6.
A little late, but I think Keith Melville just sold one (or 2?) beauts on SwayBay.
Just a thought.
Pete
Yes, those 3 board in the SURFER article were the ones we worked on. We have done more refinements since then.
I thought the tails on the two orange and one yellow board all had too much of a displacement hull. They were about 12’6" and 24 to 26 wide. We used Future fins with typical thruster templates. I was told those boards are still in use which was cool, since those guys did a pretty risky trip where the boards could have been destroyed- they’re crazy sometimes.
I’d make the rear half with tucked edges and full edges around the fin area. Paul Jensen’s looks to be right on the mark. We surfed with Skip Frye one day last year and he said his board was 14 feet. Made our 11’3"s look small, Ha!
He was turning with no problems and paddled from break-to-break with ease. Range on these boards is an entirely different mindset, easily surfing 3 breaks tactically in one session.
Now, are these boards, say something like a frye 11+ or the one jenson posted (which is beautiful by the way)…how are the bottom contours?? Bellies to vee? Flat to vee?
Yes, displacement/belly to flat with vee in the fin area and a little vee and kick off the back…
Can anyone post a pic of a foil/rocker profile?
I had the opportunity to ride and paddle two different designs in a side by side comparison.
One was a pointy Parmenter “PSV” hybrid about 12 feet long. The other, a wider 11’6" which was really more of a bloated conventional longboard shape… IMO the bloated longboard design was the hands down winner as a surfable hybrid. It also took the cake as a stable, comfortable flat water paddler.
The current owner (a far more competent waterman than I am) of both boards told me he has reached the same conclusion.
The trick is deciding what you really want to do with it. The more extreme
paddle-oriented boards are faster and glide better but most people initially find them to be tippy. The farther you get from a conventional surfboard design, the less it will ride like a surfboard.
John, that’s exactly what i wanted to hear. Of course i would surf it as well, that is the idea, so a bloated, longer, stretched out longboard makes sense. So how wide should it be? 22-24ish? Also rails profile, i’ve heard a few ideas…any suggestions?
The original “Cross Country Surfboard”. Made in 1987 after I restored a Blake kookbox and got tired of draining the water out of the thing. I tried to capture the ride, especially the “slide” those guys were feeling . With out a doubt the fastest surfboard i have ever ridden. I learned more from this board than ANY board in my 45+ yrs surfing. 13 feet long 22" wide 4 1/2" thick 12 1/2" nose 8 1/2’’ tail. Hard single radius boxy rails. Flat paneled V nose about 36" to flat to a long V panel tail. Handles on deck to roll LARGE waves, yes it worked. Very easy to surf, light touch to turn.
One more pic.
Hi Bizgravy -
I wouldn’t get too hung up on specifics. Once you get around the idea that you don’t have to carry it under your arm, the rest is icing.
Wide point back a bit with 25" - 26" is probably OK. Extra tail rocker (3 1/2" +) might slow it down as a paddler but will certainly make turning easier. The one I rode had a 15 1/2" tail and 18" nose as I recall.
PS - I’m glad the “bloated” description made sense. Compared to a DP PSV, Frye double Eagle or Jensen Javelin, it was the best I could come up with.
Awesome…no only if my shaping room was big enough.
I agree with John M.'s post regarding extra tail rocker. A couple of years ago I used the Clark 12-3 for a hybrid. I backed off 2" of nose and 1" of tail rocker from natural. Belly in nose going flat with hard down rails in tail. The board paddles great in flat water, however, it is extremely difficult to turn.
Waaay cool!! Thanks for sharing the pics.
I saw one of your surf/paddleboards on the beach this morning. Fantastic design.
Paul
ACE,
I recognize the car, and think you live just up the street from me. I’ve been thinking about making a hybrid for a while. Mainly to paddle out and around the cliffs. great pics. Love the hood ornament.