Ok I have very little knowledge of hydrodynamic theories and have only built a few boards so there is probably a very simple reason I have not thought about. Last night however, while watching the boats docking by my place I wondered why surfboards never put V in the nose or top 1/3 of the board? Like on the hull of a boat would it not help the board lift and plane better? I assume there must be a reason. Perhaps it makes rail to rail transitions harder? Please someone fill me in on the benefits and downfalls.
It IS being done, although not as visible as in boats hulls. It’s called reverse V. I, for one, put it in guns or semi-guns for better cutting through chop.
I had assumed it had been done and may be done by some still. (seems like it’s all been done to some extent) Just wondering why it’s not that promenent in boards? When should reverse V be used? simply to help with chop? When should it not be used? Just curious about it’s features.
It also helps dropping in against strong off-shore winds. And, since it elevates the rail line to some degree, it also helps prevent catching rails in front.
But, as with any convex shape, it will also slow down your board a bit. And the more V you put, the more it will slow down. Just like Liddle hulls, it feels good in long point waves. Maybe not so much so in tubular beach breaks…
That makes a lot of sense thanks balsa
Howzit hydro, All my boards get Vee from the nose to the tail, But I also don't have a lot of rocker in the tail which helps keep the speed up. Aloha,Kokua
One of the great overall reasons for using some V up front is the tube riding capabilities. V causes drag, drag in the front pulls the board up the face where is where you want to be. Too many designs try to find the bottom of the wave because of one reason or another. slight V up front makes it really easy to keep speed in the tube and keep control. There are exceptions to this I’m sure.
C