Perhaps it would help Marsh overcome his misunderstanding of the kind of board you are referring to, if you could post a few photos of it. Cordell may also benefit from a look at it too. All surfboard designs today are rooted in the designs of the past. There are numerous examples of surfboards that were well ‘‘ahead of thier time.’’ One that comes to mind, is a board designed and built by Matt Kivlin, in 1949. The board was easily advanced by 30 years, right down to a high aspect ratio fin. The board I sent over to you could easily be ridden in 4 or 5 foot beachbreaks, right on up to 15 foot Sunset, with absolute ease. I know this because, ‘‘I’ve been there, done that.’’
while I’m just a garage/backyarder - I recommend you learn to hand shape w planer, surform, block sanding, and doing the hand shaping first. Ltr worry about having blanks cut. Just get a blank with the rocker you want, make or copy a plan shape, and draw it up! Then start Shaping. Just make sure you plane to rough thickness from the bottom first, surform down any small ridges, and block sand it smooth…Skin the deck once, and repeat same steps w surform and block sanding… block plane stringer when done sanding and touch up with light grit sponge sanding block.
Cordell - Watch a few shapers first if possible. But if you can get lessons - take atleast one! The rest - like mods; vee, concaves etc., you can learn here. Have fun!anyway, i hope you build or buy the right board for your personal needs. At worst you end up with a board too narrow or short. But you got folk’s at home that I’m sure could steer you into the right board. Good luck! - Jim
thirdshade - I appreciate the comment, and have to agree there’s no way to pass judgement on the way it looks without seeing it, and the way it rides without at least seeing it being ridden.
I see a pretty neat opportunity to learn something right now as there are some very experienced shapers, i.e. old guys:)
Mr. Farrelly, Mr. Thrailkill, Huie, Huck,
When you guys have a board that works and you want to scale it down to a smaller rider, how do you think about the rocker? Specifically in this case say you are going from a 6’9" to a 6’2" for the waves mentioned, do you just chop off some of the nose and some of the tail to get the right rocker for a 6’2" designed for the same waves? Do you scale it? or do you kinda go by what looks right to you, i.e., it is a different rocker?
To be really old school about it, use a ‘‘slide rule’’ to do ratio/proportion calculations, of various aspects of the board. Fast forward to today, use a calculator. First step is: 6’ 2’’ devided by 6’ 9’’ equals .913358 as a percentage of 6’9’'. Use that ratio to determine width, rocker, and thickness, to get you ‘‘in the ballpark.’’ In the final analysis rely on your eye to SEE that it looks right. The ART of shaping still plays a major role in the final outcome. It truely is not all just numbers. Helpful?
That is very helpful. I have looked up a lot of the old rocker threads, and still have a problem trying to get my head around how rocker works. For instance should it match the curve of the wave, should it be flatter in the center more curved on the rails, etc… I know there isn’t one particular answer, but as an engineer, I like data points that help me figure out the bigger picture. Understanding how it is scaled for a board to be ridden by a different size rider in the same conditions, completes the picture. At the end of the day though, you are saying you kinda know when it looks right. Cool!
Gotta disagree with Bill. I had a guy talk to me about ordering some boards he wanted one 2.70" thick and another one 2.65" thick. He said he can tell the difference…
lol - hilarious! Yep, you’re right, that proves it, Bill’s wrong it IS all about the numbers! Looks like you gotta add one more tool to your shaping room: micrometer - hahaha!
The lighting bolt board is a work of art, it would be a fun board to take to Fiji, but I am not convinced that it is the best board to ride at Cloud Break in 2014.
In the Endless Summer Two (1994, 20 years ago), Gerry Lopez rides Cloud Break with Wingnut, Pat and Laird on a Modern Thruster?
In 1964, some fifty years ago by my calculations, I built what you are describing as a ‘‘modern thruster’’ with that fin setup. You see, I’m no stranger to multi fin setups, and yes I’ve moved on too. Having produced a removable Tri-Fin (side bite) fin system in late 1970, that was later used by Hobie, Bing, Weber, G&S, as well as Surf Systems, and Surfboards Hawaii. I have an understanding and perspective on fin systems that you have no ability to grasp. What you think is modern, is ‘‘old hat’’ to me. I’m well accustomed to being ahead of the pack, not part of it.
I will agree to disagree on our choice of equipment for a Fijian holiday and I appologis for any (unintened) malace that may have come through in my posts.
