Can you folks help me out on this one? Based at least in part on this forumn, I have been riding twins for the bast two years now. I have been riding a 6’0" shaped by Tyler H. and a 6’6" shaped by yours truly. Both are a blast to ride and scream down the line. Lately, I have been on a mission to find a board that rides like a twin but is significantly more pulled in through the nose for hollower waves/more critical drops. Along with that, I want the board to have the ability to hold in a bit better than the “old school” twins I have been riding. I have seen the Clyde Beatty rocket fish and it basically seems to be what I am looking for but I have a few questions about it. Anyone have experience riding one of these in hollower, steeper waves? Also, does anyone know of another shaper who is doing high performance twins/twinzer-type boards of the type I described? Thanks in advance.
You might want to contact Herb Spitzer who frequents this board. He’s had a lot experience with fish and rocket fish. I think he has a few posted in the photo archives.
Clydes boards are really cool. He’s the most experienced guy at this design. Hell, he pretty much invented it. He is doing some things right now on that design with some additional fins. Personally, I throw an additional box in the back and when it gets hollow I put in a trailer. The hollower it gets the bigger the trailer. The trailer pulls the tail down and keeps the front edges clean of the face. Also allows you to hold an edge on the steeper face.
I have about 8 or 10 variations of the Clyde Beatty rocket / tiger fish. The tiger fish, according to Clyde, is the board with the little trailers at the end of the tail. Always get the tiger fish, and always get red-x fin boxes. Anyway, my standard tiger fish is a 6’3" 20.5" wide and 2 1/4" thick. (I’m 5’10 or so 180 lbs). I have ridden this board in small waves, and waves up to a solid few feet overhead. I find that theses boards are very flexible in terms of the waves they can handle. If the waves are fast and lined up, the board will step up. If they are small and playful, the board will work as well. I could choose this board if I could only have 1. I can’t say that about any thruster. The key to surfing well on these boards is committment. Get one, and ride it exclusively. Like any board, you will adapt, and find the buttons to push. After 8 or 9 sessions, you will really be stoked. These boards are really only for the open minded, but I doubt you will ever find a wave that the board can’t work on. I have a small wave version called the cremator that is 5’8" with a rounded nose, and it’s insane in small waves, and a 7’0" “Gun” tiger fish. The 7’0" is equal to about an 8’0" gun, and I may ride it once or twice a year. A word on Beatty epoxy, it is great. I have never broken a board, and svereal of the boards I have are near 10 years old. No delams, only one major damage. This was caused by hitting dry reef at mach 50. That board was fixed and still flies. Call Clyde at: 1 805 965 3180.
Ive ridden my Rocket Fish at Big Blacks, hollow San Clemente Beach Break, the Strand. It loves hollow waves, and will handle anything it can throw at you. Call Clyde and have him steer you in the right direction. Sluggo
You wont find anyone more comitted to the development of the fish than Mr Clyde Beatty. You Go Tiger!
Hell, pretty much!!! Make an appointment with him, and have him let you watch him shape you your fish. Don’t take no for an answer, and make sure that you watch him shape it through the whole process. Should prove to be a totally enlightening experience!
I hear Clyde has been teaching some new, young shaper how to perfect the styro fish. There is more that meets the eye . Where there is smoke there is fire. Matt McCoy rips all size waves on his, from Goleta to outter Islands. If you take the time to pin him down for a board you will be enlightend.
Thanks everyone - I called Clyde’s shop and they are going to let me take a board out for a spin to see how I like it.
Clyde is the master. Sorry if I was a bit soft on the “pretty much” comment. I know he’s the man.
Opening in Las Vegas " SIEGFRIED & CLYDE "
I’ve ridden the Rocket Fish in all types of CenCal surf. If you’d like info regarding the Rocket Fish twin fin with trailer set-up and/or Rocket Fish design, please feel free to call us at 805.965.3180. We are in our new Showroom at 111-C Santa Barbara Street in Santa Barbara, 10a-6p, Monday-Friday AND 10a-5p, Saturday and Sunday. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have regarding Beatty Rocket Fish design and construction. We are reconstructing our website at http://www.beattyproducts.com into an e-com site and will have photos up within 4-6 wks. Thanks. Cindy/Manager http://www.beattyproducts.com
15’x 35"x 8" lol
15 FEET TANKER++!