I lost the recent thread that had a post in it about step bottoms. Has anybody experimented with these?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjHbHldm94g&feature=player_embedded
The latitudinal edge on the rear-third of the bottom looks like it would act as a release point--however, the tail would reengage because it’s still in the water. Ultimately, wouldn’t the step produce more drag?
check out the tommy peterson fireball fish. channels with a step bottom. i made one and it’s a blast to ride. the step is a few inches in front ofthe fins so the water is churned up when it hits thefins, creating lessdrag. if you have the materis its definitely worth building your version of it.
I made this Air Induction Step Bottom board for John Osborne at Sunset Point in the Mid 80’s for his trip to Oz.
John is one of the fouders of the Hui and life long resident there at the point.
I was working at T&C with Ben Aipa and he was bringing back his step bottom with his Sting shapes from the 70’s.
So I made this from my past 
John rebuilt it crudely , top and bottom plates were ripped off and there was no wood chunks in the Air box.
But you get the Idea.
Most every pro back then in oz rode this board on his trip .
Lots of stories .
Wild! How did it ride?