Hi fellow swaylockiens. My friend 6’0 240 LBS 40 years old needs a summer board. He’s plagued with a bad back and is not in good shape but still wants to join me this summer in small beachbreak fun. I’m talking knee to shoulder high stuff that he can’t quite turn his longboard quick enough in. I found him a 10’ longboard last summer that floats him well and is easy to paddle. Now He’s looking to get a midlength about 8’ - 8’10 that can make quick turns on but will still float him when he goes to stand up. I guess something stable. The trade off would be paddlle power. I suppose since we’re surfing smallish beachbreak close to shore ,paddle power would not be as much an issue. So with this in mind ,what outline ,rough dims and fin setup would you recommend. I’m guessing something with flatter nose rocker with a bit of kick in the tail and maybe 3.5" thick x 22" - 24" wide egg. Not sure about if a pig shape or center width pushed forward would be better? Should I keep the rails knifed or fuller with a flat deck?Maybe a quad or single? He is very capable of surfing but tends to surf the wrong boards. Any help would be appeciated. I will be shaping the board but only have 2 boards under my belt. I know he should probably go to an experienced local shaper but he really wants to do this project with me and I think we can get something that works with a little help.
there have been several threads on this subject - search “big guy shortboard” and check out the threads, lots of photos and good imput
I’m a really big fan of the mini simmons route…I’m 6’2" 210lbs and am very happily riding a 5’9"x22.5" x2 3/4" twin fin in a fairly mushy point break. Fast down the line, pretty stable for the popup and easy to catch waves. Turns great, particularly if you are used to longboards. I bet something 6’ x 23 x 3 would be reasonable…
I’m in the same boat.
8-4…low to no rocker…paddles like a 9-6…point and shoot…turning is overrated!
Proneman, nice looking board. Looks like a twin fin Liddle. Can I see more pics? What’s the fin setup?
Just came back from the shaping bay and am enjoying a beer right now (not the sharpest tack on the forum at the moment), but if you don’t settle on a shape after a couple of days give me a PM. I made a CI Whip copy for a buddy recently, and a “big guy” version for myself for kicks, and the result on the latter was excellent. Usually for a big-guy/shorty shape you get a hybrid/Simmons variant. The CI Whip big-guy version has a narrower nose than most big guy shapes and can probably be under 7’ for someone your bud’s weight. I’m 205-210 at the moment, and my size is 6-7. If you haven’t settled on something after a few days, I can send you a Shape 3D file that will be workable for your bud.
…sounds like your mate needs a nice 7ft single fin , with some volume , and some nice natural curves…a workhorse that always gets the job done.
Hey Proneman ,Thats nice! Is that belly roll all the way or just to the middel?
Hey Proneman ,Thats nice! Is that belly roll all the way or just to the middel?
PERFECT !
Care to share some dims?
What would be the advantage of a single over a simmons twin or quad?
Ace has some pretty cool looking boards. He makes a nice wide tail singlefin as well.
What you say, about Ace, is true.
If I made the board, I’d make it with a 17 inch nose, 23/24 inches wide, to an 11 inch arc tail. (aka: Broomtail) I’d prefer my close twin fin setup, but a deep single would work too. I’ve made this exact kind of board, same dim’s, 3.625 inches thick, for a customer in Hawaii. It was a widowmaker tri fin setup, and worker great in up to 8 foot hawaiian size, on the west side and small north shore. That board was made in 1971. The customer was no slouch, in the water. He rode 30 foot Makaha (with comfort) in Dec. 1969, on a 10’ 6’’ x 23’’ full gun that I had made for him.
Bill
It was shaped by Paul Gross…who worked with Liddle and Greenough so I am sure there are those influences. It was made as twinny…but I had a middle box added and sometimes ride it as a single…fun both ways but different…
I really have only ridden it at points…on tiny to head high waves…tried it on some bigger ones and struggled with it…tail and rocker make it problematic on OH waves. I think it would be fun in beach break…but it would not be my first choice…but length, thickness and width would be ok…
Asuming close fast shallow shore break?
Is it that he’s haveing trouble getting in and down the line ahead if the wave or is it geting up and down the face once in?
Back to the"Father" of the modern surfboard
Bob Simmons.
With the humblest posture OPS can attain ask kind permission to use your fin setup and rails?
Iloko e hoao ia kope.
Aloha!
Like I said, this stuff is in the archives, you really oughtta spend a little time checking it out - hint: click on the word “archives”.
Tons of ways to go with this, but what worked for me is the following for when I want to shift from my longboards or when the surf is sectionny.
For reference, 42 years old, my back’s seen better days, been surfing for about 30 years. 6’4" and 195 lbs.
7’5" x 22" x 2 3/4" single wing, round pin with plenty of width in the tail. Flat to vee. Relaxed natural rocker, pretty full rails, sharp through the tail. Basically, a refined version of a good mid to later seventies single. Surf it further up, surf it from the tail if needed, plenty of float and speed, but you can still throw it off the top. Works from micro with all the volume, to a bit overhead. I’ll try an post a few shots tomorrow so that you can see exactly what we’re dealing with.
He’ll be able to transition easily from a longboard, still paddle really well, and benefit both from the stability and the manouverability.
I built mine in EPS because its bascially a small wave board for me. The lighter weight (I use a higher density EPS so I’m only running about 15% lighter than a poly) makes directional changes really easy even in tiny surf. 6+4 deck with a single 6 bottom, balsa stringer to cut any chatter.
Like I said, lots of ways to go but this one has really proved to be a great longboard alternative for me.
