I was just thumbing through an issue of Surfer's Journal - the one with the Joe Quigg interview where he talks about "rail rocker", "deck rocker", etc.
Am hoping that someone more familiar with his designs can help me understand about reference points in regards to deck rocker... in one example he describes '1 1/2" of deck rocker.' Is this measurement taken from a straight edge held at the tip of the tail and midpoint?
I assume that these boards would have a pretty fair amount of tail kick.
I know that Quigg's son shapes boards and quiggrider is occasionally on this website. Without giving away any trade secrets, maybe he can help?
Sharkcountry, An interview with Mr. Quigg and Mr. Downing would be a very worthwhile and important endevour. It would be such a shame to let a compilation of knowledge drift away. There are many candidates I can think of that are worth the effort, some right here on Swaylock's. Bill Thrailkill would be one and Deadshaper another or, any other guy that has put in a LOT of time in R&D and different shapes. For my own reasons, I'd like to interview Ace. Only because I really like his shapes and we seem to have similar tastes. Hope you get your shot!
ps. Can a thread evolve or morph without it being considered a highjack? If not, apologies to Mr. Mellor.
I have the Surfer’s Journal from last year with Joe’s interview. Not sure why, but it seemed like he wasn’t given a fair shake on that.
As far as I’m concerned, coming from a surfer in Hawaii, Joe’s contributions are way up at the top of the list. His outlines, rocker, rails, and foil are more suited to our waves. I think his Malibu boards were probably better suited for California waves than the Simmons shapes of that time.
I see his Balsa Boards at Fiberglass Hawaii and they are absolutely beautiful.
Can not speak for the man, never met him. But when I shape a board bottom rocker is one thing deck rocker is another thing. Both just as important to the overall deal. I do know that one of the most beautiful functional ahead of its time aquatic devises I have ever seen was a wood paddleboard that he made. A perfect 18.
The Surfer's Journal interview was well done I thought. Mr Quigg had a lot to say about his designs, etc. I don't subscribe to and rarely buy surf magazines but after thumbing through, bought it because of that article.
In another issue there is an article titled "Objects of Desire" which showed a hollow Balsa Paddleboard he made in 1956 for Tom Zahn who set a record in a Catalina race on it. The skins are reportedly so thin that the shadow of an object can be seen through the Balsa... click and enlarge thumbnail image after opening link.
I agree that they have stories that need to be told, and I get a lot of stories from Gordon. But it is second hand, and through a filter so to speak. I just figure that Joe is happy with his accomplishments, and feels no need to live in the past. But sometimes your contributions and stories are lost if you don’t tell them, or even worse, told by people who don’t have all the facts.
I’m sure he hasn’t passed everything to Gordon, but he has passed on everything Gordon was willing to absorb. I’m not sure if Gordon has as big an interest in building boats that his father did. He is making OC1-OC6 paddles now, so maybe there is some things we just don’t talk about. I do know he has passed a lot of the woodworking skills on. Gordon is an excellent cabinet maker and overall craftsman.
I can’t remember specific details, but I do remember Peter saying they were all fans of Prince Valiant. And the name had something to do with that, the singing sword was Prince Valiants sword.
I am assuming that Quigg was referring to boards of the balsa era. ''Natural Rocker,'' was natural to the wood, and a result of the drying process. Usually about 3/4th's inch. Sometimes as much as an inch, which was highly desireable. A straight edge, nose to tail, and measured at the greatest height above the deck, was the most common way to describe deck rocker. 1 1/2 inch deck rocker, at that time, would have boardered on extreme in the eyes of some. Looking back, quite advanced. Wood with that much rocker was not common, but could be found. Simmons, and others, would cut a slab off the bottom of the nose, and scarf it onto the deck side to increase nose lift and thus rocker. Easier than finding wood with that much natural rocker. Balsa was most commonly 3 1/4th's inch thick. If you lost 1/4th inch in the shaping process, and had wood with 1 1/2 inchs of rocker, you could have a finished board with as much as 4 1/2 inches of nose and tail rocker.
I’m going to have to agree with Thrailkill on this, as I’ve never talked board designs with Joe Quigg. Gordon has made me a board with his Dad’s templates and design. But most of my boards from Gordon are mostly High Performance Short Boards, and longboards. Boards I can ride when I visit the North Shore and surf with Gordon. But he has made me a Sting tailed convertible board thats super fun. I was actually ordering some longboards when he asked if I wanted one of his Dad’s designs. He was working with his Dad on mastering some of those old designs. I have to say it is amongst my favorite boards, and has opened up a whole new aspect to my surfing.
So when I’ve met Joe its always been as a friend of his son, not someone to talk about surfboards with. Just a friends father. But I do know he has made some boards recently with Gordon. And has rejected shipments of balsa, so reading the comments from Thrailkill it makes sense. Perhaps the wood did not dry to his standards for the rocker he wanted.
Ive restored some Joe Quigg balsa boards…one , an 11’ -0" , needed most of the front half replaced due to rot in the wood. It was hollow box section construction , made with 3/4" internal stringers, spread with transverse spars , out to solid logs on the rail blocks.It had slightly more deck curve running into the tail, than up to the tip ( although the tail was foiled down ) …considering the construction method used , the board would have been built to the required design and not dependant on the available curve in solid logs. It was an eye opener , to see some of the methods used to make this board…
Joe Quigg is a master woodworker, building so much more than surfboards. So i imagine his techniques utilize methods to make sure there isn’t a lot of wasted wood. I think he made the bar at the outrigger canoe club, along with a solid Koa outrigger for them.
He combined the Hawaiian outrigger with the tahitian one, to form a whole new class of boats.
All of my boards from Gordon are foam. But he told me if I want a balsa board I can come to his Dad’s house to watch the construction. He has all of his Dad’s templates, and Joe still had the jigs and tools to make a new one. If I order one I will take a lot of pictures and video. Gordon is a master shaper himself, and he is always studying surfboard design keeping up with the latest trends. His boards have allowed me to become a better surfer, and Gordon is always ready to surf with me when I visit Oahu
Yes Joe and Aggie are both alive and mostly well for their age. They still live on Oahu in a nice neighborhood, with deep water access in their backyard.
I would imagine that would be an interesting interview, I’ve never sat down and talked with him. Just cordial hellos and goodbyes when dropping Gordon off. I think he is pretty private and doesn’t grant many interviews, at least thats the impression I get from Gordon.
I bet he has some interesting tales to tell. I remember listening to Gordon and Peter Cole talk about the old days at a party, I didn’t say too much just listened.Peter talked about a board Joe had made called “the singing sword”. Gordon had never heard about it, and said he was going to ask his Dad about it. I never did get the details, as I had to leave Oahu.
[quote="$1"]
Peter talked about a board Joe had made called "the singing sword".
[/quote]
In the early 60's, Del Cannon shaped a big wave gun for a friend, that shrieked like a wounded rabbit, when doing a hard bottom turn. The remedy was to sharpen the trailing edge of the fin. Silence, thereafter. I'd bet there was something similar going on. Great name for a quirky board.
Guys like Quigg need to get their story recorded. He and George Downing are 2 guys I’d like to get taped. Even if it’s just for their families. All that knowledge they have is an encyclopedia. It would probably take a long time to get it all.
If nothing else, I hope he’s passed it all on to Gordon. I think George has passed a lot on to Keone and Kainoa, but they have very different interests. I think Keone is most like George as far as the surfboards and canoes and all.
I’ve found that in my family, certain things are passed on to one son and other things to another, but never is everything learned or mastered by one.