I have a question about the effect of wide point placement. If the WP is forward of center, does it increase drive? Aft of center increase manueuverability? How should the WP and center of thickness relate (and of course apex of rocker)?
I realize this question goes pretty much to the heart of many design issues so I’m trying to get some feedback from those of you who have shaped many boards.
I’m working on a 7’2" big boy/hybrid thruster (12.5 x 20.5 x 14.5) also this is my first board. I created my own template from 2 different boards, the outline curve looks good but it puts the wide point about 2 inches ahead of center. Any problems? Should I try to get the WP to center or just aft of center? I realize there are no hard and fast rules but trying to get some input.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed over the years, this board is what got me interested in shaping my own stick .
Aloha
JN
Hey J.T.S.
Choosing the right words to discribe how the elements of board design affect performance is always difficult. I would sum up how moving the wide point in the outline of a board affects performance IMHO by saying that it will lengthen the minimum arc that the board will turn in. You can do a lot of things to the board to change how sharp it will turn but moving the wide point of the outline probably has more overall effect on it than anything other element of the shape it seems to me. Tail width and shape is probably second. Fin choice and placement is probably third though two will always be an inseparable mix on the board performance palate.
Mahalo, Rich
Mahalo? Aloha? Hey bruddah, u come join talk story!
Used to live on Oahu and Maui. Going back again this summer for some Waikiki thrills.
BB
To me it isn’t so much where the wide point is in relation to center but just how far from the tail it is. Along with how pulled the nose is. Basically it comes down to how much rail is in the water when you are turning. you could have a 8’ board that has a wide point 3’ from the tail which then tapers rather quickly to the nose, this board by my theory would turn similar to a standard 6’ board. So take your wide point and measure how far it is from the tail, then find a board with the same measurement and your board should turn something like that one as far as wide point is concerned.
Wide point and center of thickness don’t have to relate at all, I feel they are two totally different things.
I’m not sure what you want with apex of rocker, apex of rocker isn’t something I think about when shaping a board.
Now this is all about wide point there are a lot of other things that affect how a board turns also.
And no it isn’t a problem, just comes down to preference. I am happy to hear you are not shaping a fish like everyone else around here.
Thanks DT and Halcyon, I appreciate the help. I’m trying to go nice and slow, take my time on this board and I might be overthinking it
JN