A friend of mine just got a new surfboard from a South-African brand, 6’x20.5"x 2.5", thin generic shortboard rails. He complains about the board sideslipping on takeoffs in 2-3 meter waves. Is it just the width that’s causing this? Would the rails hold in better if they were a little thicker and rounder? The board was certainly nice and loose in small waves, but a little too short for my taste.
side slipping is a little broad …for example does it slide at the tail so it drops out???does the whole board slip side ways down the face and out into the impact zone ?does it hang on take offs so the drop is late and to critical???does it slide after the drop into the first turn?
each scenario points to a different problem…
my first thoughts were its a small wave board in 3 meter waves…??? no matter what size the guy is, its still a small wave dimension…( length to width ratio)
regards
BERT
don’t disregard the fin factor
Or the ability factor.
Does the board have a pretty hard edge that extends up to or past the wide point of the board? I’ve found that on wider shortboards, that seems to cause the board to slip sideways down the face, especially heelside, high up on the wave. Solve it by softening the edge around the widepoint. -Carl
I have had similar experiences when I take a “slop killer” out in hollower, juicy surf. 20" wide on a 6’ board is a design that would work best in small, weak waves. It sounds like the outline isn’t right for 2-3 meter waves, especially if the waves are steep. Have your friend experiment with different fins (bigger), but it sounds like your buddy has a “wrong board for the waves” type of situation.
Bert: I think it was the midpoint or the entire board that was slipping, certainly not the tail.
Carl: It doesn’t really have a hard edge until the fin area, it’s a pinched thin rail with a bit of tuck and no distinct edge.
I absolutely agree that it’s a small wave board and that it’s not ideal for 2-3 meters surf. However I’ve surfed boards made for small waves in bigger surf and never had problems with sideslipping on takeoffs(I’ve certainly had other problems tho’).
Let me rephrase the question: Could you avoid sideslipping on a 20.5" wide board in 2-3m surf with proper rails?
How does outline and length fit in the equation? Won’t a longer rail hold in better?
Bdw. My friend is getting another board because the manufacturer(who shall remain nameless) screwed up and put large pink girl decals in the lam. In addition the surfshop screwed up by setting him up with such a board when he asked for a board for 2-3 meters surf. So much for ordering customs, hope they get it right the next time.
regards,
Håvard
where else to look???paddle power and fins…
either take offs are to late coz of size ,not enough paddle power…
or need larger sides …
but basically the curves arent right …its still a small wave out line…i really wouldnt be looking for answers…
get another board more suited…
regards
BERT
ok another thought …
coz its a small wave board it probably has a flat nose entry…which means on take off the nose rail section is more likely to be in contact with the wave face ,as it touches the face itll slow a little thus alowing the tail to wanna go past the nose ,if thats the case then bigger fins will help to keep the tail where its supposed to be ,at the back…
…all post are right. these are the facts… i think that this outline 6 x 20.5, is made thinking in turns ability not in larger bottom turns like those made in larger surf!. keep in mind that is not a smaller twin with real good floatation and differents rails…
add fin area especially base area up to too much then reduce slowly to just right by changing fins if glass on use clear packaging tape to the trailing edge sandwiching the fin between tape on either side trim the trailing edge with a single edge razor blade…fin fun … ambrose… on a budget…I usually start out riding a new board with a larger fin than I intend to end up with for like training then change down when I got the rail frequency wired enough to not slip or spin out…the same when I make boards for others…big fin first then the loosy goosey
Sideslipping isn`t necessarily a bad thing…
Unless it happens suddenly, with little warning. In contrast, balanced designs tend to drift, releasing gradually, usually providing time for adjustment. IMHO, it`s better if template, rocker, rails and fin(s) share in maintaining wave contact and control.
IoHOITL…IN our HUMBLE OPINION INDEPENDANT TESTING LABORATORY
whadda concept…for days off at the think tank…when the fishing’s no good…how would ya establish a rate schedule or would ywe have to pay the customers… ambrose…morning in the opers house