Check out newest Surfer’s Journal, there’s a good 9-10 page article by Bob MacTavish mostly about his experimentation with rail designs, and more importantly surfboards as a whole.
I thoroughly enjoyed that article also. McTavish did pen another excellent article documenting his involvment in the shortboard movement in an earlier SJ article also. Good reading.
I thought some of you might be able to clarify for me–regarding the terminology McTavish uses… tail feathers=wings? what does he mean by a wet deck? symmetric rails? what does his ideal shortboard/midlength rail sound like in more layperson’s/common terms? Thanks…jd
Yeah tail feathers meant swallow w/wings(from his example). I re-read this story for a hint of shaping inlighten-ment from an old master but ended with nothing really! He recognizes the 90’s surfing level as the highest and atributes this to a square tail rail and round symetrical rails mid-point, which is nothing new, in fact the square rail is not as common as it was 3-4 years ago. This rail rides on top of the water (ala fish style) keeping water ‘off the deck’(wet deck). McTavish isn’t who I’d be looking for shortboard advice anyway! He makes his living on long and midlengths. Nothing new in that article, Pezman must just be reminising again.
Surfhungry Do you shape, do you publish(besides free chatboards), love to see a product or example of your work in the marketplace(!). How do you know the shaping output of Mr. Mc Tavish, why the snide remarks “inlighten-ment from an old-master…nothing really”. Bob Mc Tavish helped birth ‘your’ SHORTBOARD and be grateful he took his time to write down his thoughts and experience for us. If this was “reminising” keep it comming Pezman. I’ll keeping reading.
I finally had a chance to read that article Monday, a couple of times. I kind of agree about it not being packed with data, but I think there was plenty of worthwhile info just the same. His going to midlengths - yes, perhaps an age thing - is interesting. It’s good to know where various rock-solid performers (surf or shapers) are at - helps one to locate “where it’s at now” even if it’s for your own self. I personally just can’t see 5 fins, but if enough “Somebodys” like MacTavish use them I might concede. If Surfer’s Journal publishes enough articles/reviews/interviews like that one they will be in danger of being the most informative magazine in terms of surfcraft design…or are they already?
In the latest issue of TSJ, Bob McTavish`s article “Kicking Over The Traces, Re-analyzing The Shortboard Revolution”… a thoughtful reading reveals history, insight and many hints aimed at the future of surfboard design. To those who doubt, Bob replies at the conclusion… “Stay tuned!”
I read this article more than once, maybe 4x. Almost as though I was sifting the traces of the campfire that had just been sifted by McTavish. Lots of valuable information in this for me. 7 years of design theory, trials and feedback in 7 pages? I think I’ll stay tuned for some further commentary from Mr. McTavish. Tom S.
I liked the article.I played my copy of “Morning of The Earth” and got a reminder of just how influential McTavish and his peers were during that time.Surfer’s Journal is one great Mag. in my humble opinion.They scope out swaylocks so I say keep it coming boys and thanks if you are watching. R.B.