Has anyone tried making a “modern” version of the short and wide stings Ben rode in “small” waves. Already have the outline and rails pretty much figured out but would like some input on rocker for small waves.I’m going for 6’4-6’8 x 24 x 3 1/2. Trying to get the outline as close as possible to this board. Single fin version triplane to concave vee would go like stink in mushy or small waves me thinks.
I just finished some for a shop here in San Diego…6’ - 7’
More https://www.flickr.com/photos/obaceman/sets/72157649003979266/
I actually have an order for one. 6’0" It will likely be the next board I shape once the weather warms up enough for me to shape and glass in my shed.
Those boards look sweet Ace!
Made this one for tha Boardroom Surfboard show last May.
Tribute to Ben Aipa.
5’8" x 21.0" Stringerless “Dissect” blank.
Red colored foam on rails.
Concave deck.
Beveled edge from wing to nose (3/8")
Glass-on Twins.
Ben approved.
To see the full build, click link below.
I had a Stinger from west cliff surfboards - which closed their doors yrs ago. My board was 6’10" x 21" and about 3" thick. I think the thing had a big notched out wing 1/4 ways up the board 14 1/4" nose…sorry I forgot tail width? They seem pretty flat bottom, not tons if nose rocker, and a wierd almost reversed tail rocker? Or very flat rocker I think? Board did a pretty sharp cut back if I pushed my fin up box.-Jim
The first Aipa sting I saw was in 1969-70 when his cousin was a roommate of my best friend at the time at Cal State Long Beach. It was a 5’6" stinger and didn’t work at all in HB surf. His cousin said it was the bomb at South Shore and I didn’t know the truth until later that summer when I was “friended” into the south shore brotherhood on a 6’ Aipa at Ala Mo. I ended up at Kaiser’s for most of that trip as Ala Mo was even then a bit crowded. Ben was the most Aloha I ever met, and when he comes to the Mainland, I aways greet him with a big Haole thanks! I made an “old man” version, around 7’, don’t remember the exact size, about 10 years ago for a South Shore trip and it worked just fine in top to bottom surf. (Not Old Mans, etc…) Just my 2c…
PS: the step is the most important aspect in this design (there are a couple of secrets in there for those who do the research) for bowling waves… 2c… again…
Without the bottom bevel I would call these boards “stingeresque”! Nice stuff Ace & Barry! If you do the step, you need to gave a good glasser on board! LOL
