I’d go with the fish first. I’ve made a few shorter boards (including a fish) and just finished shaping my first longboard a little while ago. The difficulty with the longboard I found was keeping the lines smooth over a greater distance (ie: outline). With the fish, any shaping lines don’t have to be carried out as far so it’s easier to correct any mistakes and there’s less space to make them in the first place.
I don’t know how concerned you are in terms of planning-wise, but the wealth of information about fish is also an advantage. I mean really, go type in “fish” in the search bar. It’s nuts. You could read yourself sick of these boards if you had the time.
Anyway, I’d go with the fish as your first. That’s my two cents. Good luck. Have fun!!
i would have to agree that the fish is easier to start with. not only is there less room for error, it is basically flat, and thick, so you don’t have a lot of time with the planer. definately do as much as possible with it - turn your rails etc - so you get used to it, then go for the bigger board.
the most inportant thing is not to rush, or panic. it is fun, so relax and enjoy it. you will more than likely get bitten with the bug, and then you’re screwed like the rest of us…lol
I’d think a fish’d be a more useful board on the south coast? assuming you surf their most from Brighton, plus glassing’ll be a lot easier for your 1st board when you’ve not got 6 and a half acres to do on each side.
uber: i agree with everyone else. a 9’9" log is harder than it might seem, lots of long subtle curves to deal with. shaping a fish is definitely easier. the butt-crack is tricky, but it’s not rocket science. you’ll be fine.
when it comes to glassing, though, i’d choose the log over the fish: no pins to deal with, no butt-crack, & only one fin.
if you find the fish tail to be a pain in the butt crack to shape and glass , make it a wide rounded square tail stubbie , instead …I need company ! [surrounded by fishes , hulls , mals and eggs , I feel like a square peg in a round hole , even on a forum like swaylocks !]
Surely if I find that the fish tail and crack are too hard to shape the I’ve already gone too far to turn back! As much as I’d like to add a ‘wide rounded square tail stubbie’ to my quiver a think that trimming down a fish might be going a little too far. but hey, I’m the novice and what do i know!