Hello first post here on swaylocks need some help to make my mind up. Just recieved a 7.2’ blank and had my heart set on making it a 7.2’x23.5’‘x3’’ single fin, rounded pin tail. But after reading as much as i could get my hands on im in doubt as to wether it would be a good idea or not? People seem to love them on clean waves which i dont get the pleasure of riding very often here in sunny(ha) Scotland.
I have very little shaping experience so any help with what concave for a single fin of this size and shape would be greatly appreciated. I know a lot of it has to do with preference rather than fact so just looking for anyone and everyones helpfull hints and all questions welcome.
The only other board i have right now is a 9.2’ single fin nose rider i
made last month (with unbelievable amount of help from swaylocks) so i need something for the winter when swell picks up.
What kind of rocker does the blank have and what kind of template are you planning on doing? What kind of conditions are you planning on surfing the board in and how do you want to surf them? These are all questions that would come up whenever you’re deciding what to do.
Few more details then 2.5" tail lift and 5"nose. Only been surfing a year so im no pro, be happy cruising down the line taking a couple of cuts here n there as i go. Waves are less than perfect here most of the time just mush realy but the odd day the wind favours and we get some clean swell. I live four hours drive from the nearest surfing beach so if its 2’ and clean to 7’ and messy or anything inbetween ill be in the water having fun anyway.
Shape is something i need help with, last board i just looked up a longboard shape online and made a template out of cardboard which worked perfect for what i needed. This time just feel like i need a little more guidance before jumping in head long.
One fin - with Widowmaker side bite plugs for a bit of versatility (you don't have to use them if you don't like the feel)
Rolled bottom - to cut through and smooth out that rough Scottish water (at 7'2" x 23.5" x 3", a slight roll in the bottom will help rather than hinder I think)
I love the Widowmaker idea! Not so much the rolled bottom…convex and mush don’t go together unless you make some careful changes to the length or outline and rocker to compensate the drag. Plus they are a bitch to shape correctly, especially if this is his second board. Go flat young man!
As for the outline, one of my favorite cruiser singlefins is 7’ x 13" x 21" x 16" x 3". The wide point is about 3 inches above center. Do this; find a bendy piece of wood to act as a batten. 7’ plus long is great but you can use something shorter. Find a friend to help. Grab your blank and turn it bottom up. Mark some dots at the above measurements and you and your friend bend the stick to touch all the dots. Try moving the points around to see how the shape changes. See how moving just one point changes the shape of the whole board! You can trace each outline in different colored pen until you find the one that look right (you’ll know). Then reproduce the same curve on the other side of the bottom. Voila! Your own template, made by you and it’s the only one like it in the world!
To do this real professional-like, you would put the curve on a piece of thin masonite and cut it out, true it up and then use that to trace the outline on the blank. That way you’ve got the curve in case you screw up during the whole “cutting-out- the-outline” bit.
Thanks for all the info lads, Leev i like the decription of getting the shape with the dots, done kinda that with my 9.2’ but i couldnt find a strip of wood long enough so i dont it in two parts. Not scared of putting in a concave though 9.2 had spoon nose with single into v which worked a treat, but if yuos say flat will be better in the mush then flat it will be.
Love your mush cutter GasHuffer looks like a beaut.
This is the blank untouched as of yet, all the eggs ive seen have wider noses an tails. Or is this just my newbie shapin eyes?[img_assist|nid=1061005|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]
[img_assist|nid=1044538|title=The only thing I own that is close. I named it the fat bastard.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=201]
This is a personal board and one of my favorites. Been riding it since 1999. 6’6’'17x23x18x3/18 rolled bottom, but sharper rails for more reaction. Maybe something you would consider for your blank. I was a big boy when it was shaped and it floated me fine. Ignore the " only thing close " it’s an old picture from another thread here.
I love the Widowmaker idea! Not so much the rolled bottom...convex and mush don't go together unless you make some careful changes to the length or outline and rocker to compensate the drag. Plus they are a bitch to shape correctly, especially if this is his second board. Go flat young man!
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I really should read posts more thoroughly.
I agree - if it is mush you're surfing then convex isn't a good idea.
Mind you, most of the swells I saw breaking in Scotland when I was there didn't look like complete mush (North Coast).
Go with the outline dimensions that LeeV gave, they’re perfect. Eggs don’t get much speed in clean conditions, so you want 21 to 21-1/2" max wide not 23-1/2. On the rails, 60/40 until a few inches ahead of the fin then downturn it to a hard edge. Slight V in the tail starting at the same point as the rail transition. To get a good curve use an old fishing pole with the guides removed and make a template (masonite or cardboard) with it. Fins will vary with the conditions, so put a box in.
Thanks for all the help guys n gals, just getting started today. Roughed out the shape i want, looks gd so far will post pics when my hands are not covered in PU crystals. When you say slight V starting at the rail transition petec, would the rest of the bottom be flat? I have a 10" box to instal but that should be easily done with the router jig i set up last time for the 9’.2"
