Rusty Bigcat
Does anyone own one?
If so how do you like it?
Whats the tail and nose dims on yours?
Thanks in advance
Cheers
Looks fun! Shortboard high performance template but bit thicker and longer for wave-catching on those average surf days. Lotsa fin setup options. How could you go wrong? I want one!
Here’s my version (7-10 & 7-8) and the notes I collected from Rusty’s website and from his recent ads in SJ. I’m 5-10/190 62yr and my daily ride is a LB, so the extra float of the 7-8 worked well for me. The 7-8 is a quad (LokBox Taylor Knox fronts and LBXGL sidebites for rears, very pivoty off the top with plenty of hold off the bottom) and the 7-10 is 2+1 (7.5" L-Flex and LBJT sides).
From Rusty’s Website:
The "Big Cat**" is one of Rusty's most popular new models. It is a great bigger guy board. It is a mix between a Piranha and a regular shortboard. Has some of the fishie qualities of the Piranha without the extra width and volume. Should work in a wider variety of conditions. Most quad fin enthusiasts swear by this board. Most of the bigger guys at my local spot, have made the switch over to quad fins. The extra drive and less drag you get from a quad really helps the big brudda's get moving.
** **
**Dimensions:**
Nose=13”-14” Tail=14-1/2”--15-1/2" Tail 1-1/2 to 1-3/4” wider than nose
7-0 x 21-1/4”x2-3/4” 7-8 x 22-1/4”x3-1/8”
7-2 x 21-1/2”x2-13/16” 7-10 x 22-1/2”x x3-1/8”
7-4 x 21-3/4”x2-7/8” 8-0 x 22-3/4”x3-3/16”
7-6 x 22-0/0”x3-0/0”
The Rising Sun 7-10 went to a friend in Panama who calls it his all-time favorite, board. I sold the 7-8 before really getting to know it but it performed up to my expectations. The new owner is 6-3/240 mid-30s and really loves it. One of the key design features is Rusty’s use of a “tight” rail tuck, with the tuck edge about 1/2" in on the bottom instead of the usual 3/4", allowing a little more planing surface. Rusty is a big guy so he really knows how to shape a BB hybrid or shortboard that performs. Take the time to read his new ads carefully and listen to his comments on his website. Lots of shaping nuggets to be found.
beautiful!!! BTW, is the 7'8" a quad?
Thank You Gents…
I was curious on others takes…for a LB alternative that can turn easier.
Cheers
Greg Griffin Rocket (5 fin or otherwise)
Yeah, Huck…the 7-8 is a quad. Really suits the shape with its 15.25" tail. 7-8 dims: 13-1/2” x 22” x 15-1/4” 2-7/8”
This is my model I make for big guys called The Line Up Killer 8' x 23" x 31/4 I made this one almost 2 years ago and have been making this model for a lot longer than that. Seems like Rusty is looking at Sways for inspiration.
Tom
Nomastomas,
You wouldn’t happen to have the bottom contursand the rockers sizes for the Rusty Big Cat would you?
-s
I have a 6’9" version, use it occasionally in bigger surf but the board feels too big for most days around here. It is very user-friendly and probably as versatile as it’s presented as being.
NR=5.5", TR2.25", relaxed entry. Single-concave with V out the tail. Read Rusty's take on bottom contours on Surfermag.com, or on his website. I found it really helpful.
i saw rustys personal board in a shop in manly, looked like the one above and it was the thickest board ive ever seen for a 7 something
Thank you Nomas, It is much appreciated. I’m 6’2, 205. I really like that this board is built for bigger guys. I want to use the “Big Cat” as inspiration for my next shape. I’ve been trying to do a lot of research for a board like that.
I will definitely check out Rusty’s site too. Seems like that guy has some good articles.
-s
Sullivan Surfboards
“keep calm and surf on”
Rusty makes a board and some how it's new and better and blah blah blah. Lots of very fine craftsmen have been making versions of a performance board for us with a few extra pound and way to many years. For to many years there have not been a lot of options in performance boards. Most retail shops had so called 'Fun boards" as the board of choice for those seeking something different then a Longboard. Of course those with some knowledge of history. knew about eggs and other shapes that with a little tweaking and adjustments could fill a gap in the quiver. Others saw some need and scaled up the short board. Over the years they worked out the kinks and have put smiles on the faces of surfers that are long passed their glory days.
The bigger manufactures just did not see a profit in such a specialized board. It was much easier to knock out a fun board if it's fora women put flowers on it paint it pink for a guy blue strips or for the really wild and crazy a Hawaiian print inlay.
Heres a tip of the hat to all of you who have put some thoufgt into makeing the " real Fun Board." The board that board that you won't be ashamed to be riding after your first few monthes surfing.
Call it the anti-fun board. It is the real thing something made with pride thought and a touch of soul. After all what is fun about a board that is just a slug with little thought or care put into the design.
“Rusty makes a board and some how it's new and better and blah blah blah. “
I must have missed that part of this thread. Rusty is a master shaper, who also happens to be a "big guy". He really “knows” this shape. Another one of his “Big Guy” shapes, the “Desert Island” became a genre, and was the impetus for two blanks; the Clark 8-7R and the Clark 9-2R. The BC is a continuation and a refinement of this “hybrid” shape. In the Big Cat you can see the influence of contemporary shaping thought, e.g. “wider outlines” and “multiple fin placements”. But as a shaper, what I really value about Rusty is his willingness to share with us the thinking behind his designs. (http://www.rustysurf.com/website/blog-talkingdesign/talking-design-with-rusty-bottom-line-part-2 , http://www.rustysurf.com/website/category/blog-talkingdesign/page/4/ ) Sure, others have been shaping hybrids for years, Merrick’s M-13 comes immediately to mind, but there are countless others. However, who better for a neophyte shaper to emulate when considering a hybrid shape than someone like Rusty?
Since I started this thread I own 2 big cats and larger Hustler…I love them.
Dims?
epoxy or pu?
what size wave range do they work best in.
viable longboard alternative for paddle power/wave catching?
EPS all of them.
I have 7’6" that is 22" 3" Big Cat - Over grown short board, I like this when there its a touch steeper or cleaner…Lets me put it basicially where I want to.
8’0" 23" 3 1/8" Big Cat Very thick and is almost a LB alternative (but just one baby step away from one, if that makes sense) Lots of fun in less then par conditions but still reactive in good surf.
8’0" 23" 3" a touch more foiled and hair more nose rocker then the 8’ Big Cat its good sits inbeetween the 2 above…I like this at a point that I go out sometimes…Great for that extra length but a little more sensitive then the 8’ BK.
I have never been as happy with a shaper as much as I am with Hoy Runnels.
Still riding all 3 of these boards and love them…
Noob here, reviving this old thread, was interested to stumble on this design.
I’m a beginner to intermed level 49yo, 6’4" tall and 210lbs, after riding an 8’4" minimal I was looking to step down on something shorter and more responsive. In Bali there are not alot of options for the intermediate length style of board for bigger bods. So I had a local shaper (Luke Studer) make me an oversized version of his ‘Pill’ design which is normally a max of 6’6". He must of been scratching his head when I asked for it in 7’8" by 23" by 3" with a swallow tail. Well the result, to which some of my aquaintances aluded to SUP, was very good. I’ve ridden it in 2 foot mush to 4 foot and I have to say my wave count has increased dramatically over the min-mal and it is a whole lot more turnable and fun to ride.
Would love to try the big cats out to see how they compare to my frankenstein custom.