Questions re. rocker changes.

General Discussion
1

Hi all – I’ll try to ask this question with out forgetting pertinent info, as I’m prone to do.

I have an 8’x18.5”x2.25” – 12” nose and tail, round pin “semi-gun” with 8” nose rocker, and 4” tail rocker. Single to double concave. 30/70 “bevel” rails all the way. Wide point @ 2” behind center.

I love the way it rides HH – DOH, but it is not the greatest paddling machine. I have used the rocker and foil profile in other boards and like it. But, I am going to try a more paddle friendly version.

I’m @ 5’11”x 190. Surf competently most days. Beach and reefs. Not going vertical – going for tubes and cutbacks. “Heavy” drops… Not trying to be late, but sometimes it happens.

My thoughts are to go about 3” thick in “belly” – keeping the tail thin, and I am going to go @ 20” wide – pulling the tail in @ 18”-24” from tip, to have a 12” tail. I am thinking of going a little wider in the nose, say 13” +/-. I’m also going to soften the rails from the 18-24” tail point forward, and move the wide point up to center or @ 2” in front.

My questions to you:

I have been using the 2’ from tail point as my point for kick, “hip”/stinger – What are your thoughts on this; moving it back, forward, etc.?

I have read a lot about less rocker = easier paddle/wave catching; If I want to use a percentage to scale the rocker what would you suggest? I have been contemplating as much as 50% down to @ 25%.

As I write and read this, I guess I am trying to glean some thoughts on rocker vis-à-vis paddle/wave catching, Vs. performance

Hope this makes sense – Taylor.

Ps - I just added this ‘ps’ to bump this up…

“Come on guys… help me out, give me your $.02… pleeez!” Ha! I’ll check tomorrow… Then I start the stringer no matter what… hmmph ;p Ha!!!

2

Your main question has been discussed qute a bit, and it’s clear that lowering the rocker will make the

board paddle/catch waves easier. IMO, 7’’ nose and 3’’ tail is plenty, unless you surf Pipe all the time.

But don’t reduce too much, 'cause it seems you like a lot of rocker.

Mike

3

Too much rocker from my limited knowledge.

4

Try not to change to many things at once. Going 20" wide will help. Move your center point 1" forward of center. 3" of Belly and foil the thickness.

Your on the right track. 6.5 nose rocker - 3.75 to 4" tail rocker. You will not miss a wave with this formula.

If you like I can send you plans for the board your looking for. My $0.20!

5

Thanks you guys - I know lots has been written, and I’ve read much of it, but I thought if I asked from my perspective… Like it was pointed out, I find lots of rocker has benefits… But I often think about this old 6’8" single fin I use to ride, and with it’s low low entry rocker, wide nose - which was fairly thick, the whole board wasn’t too thick, @ 2.5", w/12" tail; any way that board caught waves and rode to pocket well, but not much of a cut back/choppy condition/late drop machine…

One other thing I’m curious to hear thoughts on: the point of the “tail kick” - For those of you who use this feature, how much difference have you felt by moving it between say 1’ and 2’ from the tail.

Well - thanks again, and I’ll start marking wood tonight, Taylor