So I’ve shaped this board (see dwg)…the intent was a retro single fin, but with many modern aspects. The template is retro (I think)…wide point forward a few inches, wide tailed-diamond, tucked under rails with hard edge in last 14” or so . Bottom contours are modern: single to double concave to vee tail (concave does not run out the tail). The rocker is probably more consistent with that of a modern shortboard: 5 1/8” nose, 2 ¼” tail – those are from the blank dimensions.
My question is with regard to fin(s): I’ve had my heart set on this board as a single fin, but am now questioning whether I should place side bites so that if this board does not perform well as a single fin I’ll have the sides to fall back on, or at least have the ability to use the side fins should the surf conditions warrant them.
My preference is to keep to my original plan of a single fin, probably something like a Fins Unlimited 8” Joel Tudor Island… I do normally ride single fin longboards, even in big surf and I just love the feel of being centered over the board and carving turns with a big fin and utilizing the rails/fins to draw those smooth natural lines.
The rocker you’ve described, is exactly what I was putting in my personal 7’ 10’’ boards of similar dimensions, in 1969/70. Go single, and set your box so that with the fin centered in the box, the base leading edge of the fin is 11 inches up from the tail. This will give you the max adjustments, fore and aft, to fine tune the board. I think you’ll be real happy with the results.
I’d go with having the side bite plugs installed. It’s cool to have a good riding single fin, but having the side bite option would be to your advantage should you want to experiment with multi fin configurations. You could have them installed later, but you’d save some time by just having it done now. Good luck…killer looking template.
