small wave board

General Discussion
1

Getting ready to get a custom board for small waves.Basically,I want a board to perform well in small waves but still rides and response like a conventional shortboard.Here are my dimensions:6’0"x12"x18.75"x14.75"x2 5/16 thick.What do you think?Any recommendations to the dimensions?Not to sure on the tail.how does the width of the tail affect the overall performance of this board?thanks

2

Again, too much info asked, not enough given. You might weigh 549 pounds, in which case that board is way too small. Owl Chapman might peer out at ten foot sunset and say “man the waves are small today” thus you would need a 7’6" pintail…

Basically, you want a board that is a little wider than your fav. shortboard, and a little curvier outline, with a wider tail. Wider tails generate more speed; they are harder to hold on a rail at higher speeds, but if it’s a small wave, no problem. Relaxed rocker also helps a board go fast. Check out the CI flyer, a buddy bought one and loves it for small surf…Also, take your reg. board to the shaper interview, he will be able to tell what you need…

3

I’m 5’7" and 165-170 pounds.I want the board to perform well in knee to chest high east coast waves.

4

if your on fla’s east coast this summer…those are BIG waves your talking about!

5

I took my favoutite board (6’3 X 18.5 X 2.3 and a curvy outline) made a template and added an +/-inch down the centre. It went from 18.5 to 19.75. I flattend the rocker. I am about the same length and weigh 78Kg I also am quite hevy on my back foot when I surf. I also wanted to acomplish the same as you and just wanted a a short board for small surf. (not a fish) It goes really well in surf up to 5 ft beyond that it becomes difficult to turn and hard to dig a rail.

Just my 2p worth

6

It depends on your weight, height, and style of surfing. If I were you, I’d go find an Al Merrick Sashimi, Flyer I, or K Small, see which one you like best, and trace a template from one of those.

The idea here is to start with a proven shape and tweak the shape to your wants and needs.

7

Don’t be afraid to

  1. drop 2-3 inches in length

  2. add a half inch in tail width

When the average wave size gets smaller, the preferred local shortboards tend to get shorter and wider tailed.

Also, you didn’t mention rocker.

8
Quote:
It depends on your weight, height, and style of surfing. If I were you, I'd go find an Al Merrick Sashimi, Flyer I, or K Small, see which one you like best, and trace a template from one of those.

The idea here is to start with a proven shape and tweak the shape to your wants and needs.

I pretty much got most of those dimensions from the flyer.thanks

9
Quote:
Don't be afraid to

  1. drop 2-3 inches in length

  2. add a half inch in tail width

When the average wave size gets smaller, the preferred local shortboards tend to get shorter and wider tailed.

Also, you didn’t mention rocker.

Wow!!I figured 14.75 on the tail was wide enough.

You think I should go wider?

I went 2" shorter than my everyday board.

10

You have to decide how you want the board to do.

Think about what kind of an outline you fancy the most. Everything you do to the outline changes things so IMHO it’s the best place to start.

One thing is for sure is that tail width helps you get into the wave easily. Rocker helps a board turn. Twin fins depend on their skatey nature to turn and most twin finned boards have very relaxed rocker. Take away a center fin and directional stability goes with it. There are many many combinations to choose from. Once you decide on the outline of the board then you can go on to actual specifications. I have always favored relaxed rockered boards. The trim well and you can almost always find a fin combination that will maximize performance. The don’t go from top to bottom on the wave face like board with more rocker but for small waves there isn’t much of that anyway.

Mahalo, Rich

11

It’s kind of interesting to go to different regions and see what the local rippers ride. Most guys in SF that rip are on 6’3" and 6’4"s, 13.5-14 inch tails, for waves up to solidly overhead.

In southern California, 2-3 inches shorter, and another half inch on the tail.

In Florida, a few inches shorter still (a 5’9" or 5’10" is not unusual there), and 15 inch tails are common.

But it is all relative to what you are riding, and what you hope to accomplish…