Paging Gary Niblock

Gary, Just curious to hear an update on the performance of the board you have posted in the board section (the one you shaped with John Mel - 6’5" fish). Specifically, how is it working out? What fin configuration did you decide to stick with? Have you surfed it with a trialing fin or as a thruster? Are the canards better than a traditional twinzer set-up? Have you surfed it in bigger waves? Answers to any or all of these questions would be much appreciated as I’m considering a similar design. Thanks

Gary,>>> Just curious to hear an update on the performance of the board you have > posted in the board section (the one you shaped with John Mel - 6’5" > fish). Specifically, how is it working out? What fin configuration did you > decide to stick with? Have you surfed it with a trialing fin or as a > thruster? Are the canards better than a traditional twinzer set-up? Have > you surfed it in bigger waves?>>> Answers to any or all of these questions would be much appreciated as I’m > considering a similar design.>>> Thanks Allowicious, The following is an email that I’ve sent out to several folks who have asked for an update. If you want to know more specifially, email me at . The fin setup on my hybrid fish is more parallel to the Rusty C5 configuration simply because of the size of the forward fin. I believe Herb’s theory and application is similar but his “chargers” are smaller, about 1"X 1". Contact Herb on Sway’s for more exact info. The C5’s I use on my fish are stock, purchased at a local surfshop. Placement is different also. Herb places his fins about 1" up and 1" out from the main or larger fin. I placed my C5’s 2" up and about 1.5-2"out. The effect on performance was startling. Since I was experimenting with fins (and this whole idea of supercharging) I put future fin boxes in to run as a thruster or a twin fin. I used the FCS plugs primarily for the chargers (C5’s) but thought I could mess around with other fin placements if I wanted to. I’ve run all kinds of fin configurations but the setup I have used consistently after the results of my experimentation is: main fins, future fins John Carver model 425; upright C5’s. I’ve included a picture of that setup attached to this email. It’s essentially a twin fin with chargers or a quad or twinzer or whatever. I did my initial experimentation in Kauai, because I went on vacation shortly after John at Freeline finished my board. Long story short, the C5/Carver 425 setup allowed the board to be fast and very responsive in maneuvering. The C5’s do what they’re supposed to do theory wise (see http://www.rusty.com/surfboards/tech_talk/questions/3finvsC5.htm ) and the board pivots on turns like it’s on a swivel. The difference between the C5 setup as pictured and all other setups was that as pictured the board is fast, loose and responsive. All other configurations made the board stiffer and slower, i.e. the fins caused more drag. This was true in ALL other configurations: thruster and twin fin alike. Using just the Carver 425’s and no C5’s made the board unstable in steep takeoffs. The C5’s give it that sticking power on steep waves. My hybrid fish does exactly what I hoped it would do when I designed it (with a lot of help from the Swaylocks board members.) I use it primarily in surf up to about a foot overhead. When it gets bigger than that I feel that I need a bit more length to generate the speed I need at my age and level of surfing ability. But I have so much fun on the board it’s hard to give it up when the surf gets bigger. I had John build me a retro-70’s rounded pin single fin (again with FCS plugs installed for experimentation with C5 fins) for larger surf. The kicker here is that I purchased one of Paul Jensen’s wood fins. Again the board works exactly as designed. I use it in larger surf. It is responsive for a board with a longer, more tapered shape. Jensen’s fin is simply phenomenal with very little drag and a smooth fast feel. It holds in steep waves very well and goes backside nicely without having to exert a lot of heelside pressure. So far my overall impression is that I’ll keep the C5’s off the board, they just slow it down. Jensen’s fin performs as he designed it to. I plan on posting that board to Swaylocks I just haven’t gotten around to it. If there is anything else I can tell you or answer any questions I’ll be more than happy to do so to the best of my ability. SUR4ever, Gary

Great information, thanks very much. Just curious where you scored the C-5 fins as well as the Carver 425 main fins. I live in Santa Cruz as well. Thanks again and enjoy.

Thanks again and enjoy. Freeline Design on 41st - Future Fins (425’s) Santa Cruz Fiberglass at Capitola Rd and 7th Ave for the C-5’s (upright and ellipticals)