building a longboard from clark 11’3 blank. to be used on very small days/1’ surf. tail rocker will be kept natural (not intended to be a nose rider)with squash tail and down rails last 1/3 of board. what should the distance be from tail to finbox to maximize turning for such a large, flat board. also the tail width will be a little wider than i usually shape for a 9’ to 11’ board. nose rocker is not an issue. thanks
5.5" from the tail to the back of the box (not the back of the inside slot) for a squash or square tail. 6" for a round tail or round pin.
At least, that’s a good place to start.
When surfers ask where they should mount their center fin in the box, I’ve heard a lot of shapers say to start where the base of the fin (not it’s mounting part but the actual shape of the fin) is 8.5" from the tail. So as long as you’ve got a few inches to move less or more than that, it would be good. (I run my 3-fin longboards with center fin more forward so the boards surf looser).
Greg, I have a board very close to what you are building. It works very well but the fin is an old D fin, or skeg fin glassed on, right on the tail. The board does not nose ride for dink but it does surf well and turns very easy. Something you may want to think about. Good luck.
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Greg, I have a board very close to what you are building. It works very well but the fin is an old D fin, or skeg fin glassed on, right on the tail. The board does not nose ride for dink but it does surf well and turns very easy. Something you may want to think about. Good luck.
bagman,i don’t do my own glassing so deviating from standard box placement is like pulling teeth. Although a 9’9 i’m picking up from the glass shop next week SHOULD have the box 6" from tail. i would love to do some glass-ons (possibly make my own from wood as i put nose and tail blocks on all the longboards i shape to sell). thanks for the info, its very much appreciated.