i was reading the post by long flaco1 on another forum and saw this
That’s not a fish.
and even had a small discussion with a friend of mine about this too…
what is your opinion of a true fish? what makes this not a fish?
this is the board in question
and what makes this a fish???
surf gurus, this is your time to shine
When it swims freely…
Since I’m making one, I’ve been poking through the archives. I see a lot of definitions. I’ve seen some pretty wild criteria. Even to the point of folks specifying whether or not the fins are glassed on and whether the board’s done in volan.
Best I can figure the major design elements are a forward wide point, no center fin, and a sizable swallow tail. Without those it doesn’t seem like the board would ride like a fish. Ironically, the swallow tail seems to be the most trivial of those three elements to the design…
The board pictured I’d assume is a thruster. The widepoint appears to be behind center. I think many wouldn’t consider it a fish.
I had a friend who bought a model with ‘fish’ in the name recently. The shaper told him that he calls anything with a swallow tail a ‘fish’ because it sells boards lately 
anythings a fish if thats what you call it
or thats whats been happening
but it just depends on what type of fish, rocket, retro, ect.
My humble offering to this post is to note that keel fins (double foiled) appear to be a key design element of a “traditional” fish . . . I’ve recently started riding a board (Hank Warner) with foiled keel fins (smaller profile, not traditional) and have been very intrigued by the holding power.
ALL PARTS COMBINED AND no lies…
all fish are different.
As for the tail…
ever seen a ratfish???
Maybe its in the spirit.
An old GTO and a new GTO same name. the difference is…? charger vs charger etc etc.
Modern interpretation and performance?
swallow tail and all things combined…got caudle peduncle… don’t get too caught up in serious definitions… this place will do it to you ;)!
if it looks like a fish then it must be a…
My little point of view.
I do not mind people calling a swallow-tailed shortboard a fish as long as they use “modern” “rocket” or any name in front first.
The only thing I hope is that they are aware their boards are nothing more than shortboards.
I love shortboards but a swallow tail is not the only way to describe a fish.
Here are the few points that make a fish a fish, to my mind.
fishes are under 6’ long.
fishes are over 20" wide.
fishes have a clean and full outline.
fishes have deep swallow tails.
fishes are twins.
fishes have low rockers.
That’s all I can see.
I don’t mind the rails, the shape of the keels, the bottom contour, the glassing schedule etc…
Giving names to a shape doesn’t make much sense anyway.
It’s just an easy and comfortable way to go.
Customers love to give names to their boards: “it’s a -whatever you can find as a commercial name- so it’s a good board”.
It doesn’t mean anything.
One surfer goes to meet one shaper and the set up the program for one board… Nevermind the shape and name, the board is unique as well as the surfer.
Giving boards a name is allright for pop-outs and shops.
Surfers need surfboards, not brands.
Along with everything on Lob’s list, the name comes from the widepoint-forward shape. “Fishform” boats & kayaks have been around, and so-called, for hundreds of years.
Here is a picture of a board that i made i few months ago. I thought it was just a thruster but every one that has seen it goes “oh yeah thats a sweet looking fish you got there”. i have allways thought that a fish was wide point forward, wider, no center fin and a but crack.
Here are the few points that make a fish a fish, to my mind.
fishes are under 6’ long.
fishes are over 20" wide.
fishes have a clean and full outline.
fishes have deep swallow tails.
fishes are twins.
fishes have low rockers.
I would add
but other than that, I agree completely.
Low rocker
shorter than 6’0
full outline(widish) with wide point forward of center
fins in multiples of 2(though a strict fish enthusiatist would say 2 keels)
tip to tip buttcrack needs to measure AT LEAST 9 inches
thick
rails bottom contours and are personal preference,
just what i think makes a fish
Fish are exotherms(in general). Live and reproduce in water. Half bodies covered with scales(in general). Are vertebrates. All respirate through gills. Come on. Most of us REALLy know what a fish is. The rest just like to quibble. Nice swallow tails, by the way. Mike
