Topics

1

The Shape Shack / So, how will it affect....

« on: January 25, 2020, 01:14:45 PM »

So, if my thickest point on a board is forward of center, how will it affect it? Would it be detrimental, beneficial, or really do very much? This would be on a flatter rockered board for weak, mushy waves. Say the thickest point is 16”+ inches forward of center on a 7’10”
board. I just don’t really have a clue. I thick I could maybe see benefit, but what the hell do I know?
Anyone?

2

Technique / On your knees, or on your feet?

« on: October 26, 2018, 04:55:51 AM »

I’ve been SUP surfing for almost 6 years now. And as I’m sure we all remember, there was quite a bit of animosity for the SUP crowd around then. Having come from a paddling background and not a surfing background, I admit to having had some trepidation the first times I showed up at our local surf break. So I thought (naively and mistakenly, of course) that I might get at least a little respect if I paddled out standing up. We are on stand up paddleboards, right? I figured being on my knees would just make me more of a target for the haters derision. So I’ve always paddled out standing up, no matter the conditions. Now having good paddling skills certainly was an advantage for me. And early on I realized I enjoy the fight out. It helps me get my feet under me and my groove going. On the days when the inside is thumping, I get a very single minded determination about making it out without falling. Oh, and of course the proner crowd doesn’t give a shit either way.

Now I realize that age, physical limitations, balance issues, board size, etc, are all factors that come in to play. But I think we should be upright if possible.  Doing so, in my opinion, forces you to develop the skill set that only makes being on the outside and catching waves that much easier.

I’m not sure it really matters, but for reference, I’m 60, 185 lbs and my main boards are from 7’6” to 9’2”, 26-27.5” wide, all under 100 liters.

So, I’m curious. Laying down, kneeling, or standing, how do you get out?

3

Random / Pure Power

« on: May 05, 2018, 11:15:11 AM »

Best Large and LOUD

4

Gear Talk / Twin Fin sizing help

« on: July 05, 2017, 07:15:04 PM »

This is kind of an addendum to rbgar's quad fin thread. I just finished a fish tailed/shaped board and would like to maybe try and tap into the twin fin "magic" I've heard about, just because. My experience is not enough to understand the subtle fin nuances. I like thrusters and I like quads, so why not twins. The board is 7'7" and I'm 180 lbs. How do I know what size...shape?  I actually made a pair of fins to try over the weekend. Gotta start somewhere. Anyone have suggestions?

5

Random / Bad Boy

« on: April 09, 2017, 08:43:55 PM »

Ok. This may not be of that much interest, but for me, it was a great laugh.

On my place I keep two acres directly around me mowed. And for the last couple of years that mowing has been done with a 22" push mower. Foolish, of course. But despite the fact that I'd rather have my dick stepped on as mow, there is a certain peace in the mindlessness of pushing a lawnmower. And that two acres with 22" would take me basically all weekend. Suck. So I decided to buy myself a zero turn lawnmower. Well, after seconds, leading to minutes of research on zero turn mowers I decided on a Bad Boy 54" mower. Now despite the cheesy name, Bad Boy's are badass, well thought out, and well designed mowers.

So I go to my local tractor dealer that carries the brand. Now, country rednecks are ubiquitous and every state has their own version, and mostly being one myself, I get it. But Texas country rednecks seem to hold a special place at the bottom of everyone's list. And these boys are whom I'm buying my mower from. Well, the Bad Boy marketing schtick is the hot looking babe in the short cut offs and a tank top housing an ample bosom. No problem, but I totally got the feeling that these boys, my salesmen, bought into the thought that if they were out there mowing on their Bad Boy some hot looking babe in short shorts and a tank top would show up filled with desire all due to their Bad Boy. Now, nothing against balding overweight boys, but the math just didn't work for me. Understand however, that even though I'm a blue collar country boy I have longer hair and a more liberal attitude than most in my area.  So we have a minor standoff. I'm looking at my two salesman thinking, "Really?"  And they're looking at me like, "Who is this stupid hippie?"

So I do the deal, buy the mower and arrange to have it delivered the next morning. All this previous, that's just been the fluff, now the story really begins. Sorry, had to sucker you y'all in.

Well that eve (the day before delivery) the weather is spectacular, as it is often this time of year. Now most days I'll come home and then spend a few hours working in my shop on....well, whatever I choose. Then I'll make myself a happy hour hour drink, or two, and just sit and relax. Shop doors thrown open, sitting under the trees, ahhhh. Now my shop is 500' from the road, and downhill, so pretty much all you can see from the road is the roof of my shop. So if you want to come see me, you have to commit, you wouldn't just turn in unless you knew me.

So I'm sitting there on a beautiful eve, enjoying my margarita, when I'll be go to hell, riding up on a bicycle comes a hot looking, well endowed blonde, in short shorts and a tank top jingling her little bicycle bell. My first move was to look down into my drink while thinking, "It was only 1 1/2 shots (the usual) of tequila I put in here, right?" Then I began to somewhat discreetly look around for a camera, because this had to be a setup. Long ago y'all came to the conclusion that I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack, and I wear that mantle with pride, but each man on here would be proud that the first words out of my mouth were, "Well hello, love. Would you like a margarita?!"

And sorry boys. If you want to learn more, you're just gonna have to ask.

6

The Shape Shack / Innegra question

« on: February 14, 2017, 06:17:41 PM »

A buddy of mine brought back some Innegra when he went to Florida to visit his Mom. He wanted me to build him a board using the stuff. I did. Having no experience with it there were a couple of spots where I thought, "Oh...well I won't do it that way next time." He'd visited a few local builders while there and they were doing a glass/Innegra/glass layup. I'm shaping another board now and plan to use it again. For those of you who have thoughts or experience with this material, my question is...If I'm vacuum bagging to a resin/microballoon sealed blank can I go directly to foam without an under layer of glass? Since the stuff is a polypropylene and doesn't absorb resin I wasn't sure if it needed something more substantial to adhere to. Thanks.

7

The Shape Shack / Wide point placement

« on: November 01, 2016, 07:38:33 PM »

Normally I place the wide point on my boards basically at the center, or very close thereabouts. As per Surf Science. Wide point further forward, easier to paddle onto a wave. Wide point further back, easier, better tight turns. Makes perfect sense. However, since we have the added advantage of the power of the paddle I'm thinking the former may not be near as much of an issue. This next board I'm considering placing the wide point somewhere around 4" back of center. 

For specifics. I'm thinking something akin to that Riviera Whirling Dervish style shape 8'x 26.5" for those days when the inside is bigger, wonky, and relentless here on the Gulf Coast. More the last two than anything. We may not get the power surf the rest of y'all get, but on a larger day with 6-8 second period swell the fight out can be nothing short of a slugfest. That way I'll have more length for glide (more than my usual) to fight my way out, but maybe? tighter turning with the more parallel plan shape? I'm asking, not telling. Thoughts from those in the know? Thoughts I've left out?

8

The Shape Shack / Cruiser-ish board help

« on: September 14, 2016, 07:12:51 PM »

A while back I scored a block of 1.5lb EPS from an outfit that was closing out. It's 11'8" long. Well here in a few weeks I'm going to do my yearly pilgrimage to St. Joseph Peninsula to hang on the beach with friends for a week. So I'm wanting to turn out some kind of cruiser-ish board. 11'6" long, and I guess 28" wide so others can paddle also. The only board in that range I have is an 11' Smooth all around board. I took the template and sharpened the nose a little, but when I checked the rocker it was 6.25" nose and 3.75" tail. If I'm just wanting a flat water cruiser those numbers seem a bit much. Could y'all help with some rocker and maybe rail suggestions. I've some rail ideas I want to try from my whitewater days, but the rocker escapes me. I'm not planning a displacement style board, just something that'll cruise. Help?

9

SUP General / I guess I'm late to the party

« on: August 11, 2016, 07:00:56 PM »

I've been busy as hell lately and haven't posted as much useless and inane crap as I usually do. Is that cheering I hear? Anyway, I went to post from my iPad as always and I couldn't post pics. Always could in the past, no problems. What's changed? I'm sure it's been discussed, but I'm too lazy to search for it. A little help?

10

The Shape Shack / I'm done with Virgins

« on: February 28, 2016, 08:14:23 PM »

This is kind of a response to SurfCowboys' statement about a vacuum bagging thread. I've a blank laying on my floor that I want to try a full bamboo veneer wrap on. Need to get off my lazy butt and start. In the meantime, my advanced age had softened my memory on just how much work a Virgin can be. Jesus, I'm going back to those more experienced. Virgins are just too much work.

11

Technique / Going Backside with Power

« on: December 14, 2015, 07:18:37 PM »

Alright. I love going backside. Work the wave from top to bottom. Love to drop to the bottom, climb to the top, then drive back down. Problem is I can't get down the move where you drive to the bottom of the wave and then rebound pretty hard and vertically to the top to pivot off the tail hard and come back down. Kinda like Daily Surfs pic of Dave Kalama, just backside. I can see it in my minds eye.  I feel like I know what I "should" do...but I'm not figuring how to apply these moves. Surely all you hot move surf guys have some secret that you're willing to impart to this mediocre surf fool. I feel like I'm that small instant away from success and need that last push. Help?

12

The Shape Shack / A Bit of Speeed

« on: December 08, 2015, 04:27:02 PM »

Normally I blather on in some form or fashion. I'll spare y'all this time.
9'6"x 26 3/8"x 3.5"+-.

13

The Shape Shack / Would this be accurate?

« on: June 19, 2015, 02:56:42 PM »

My father had his PhD in physics. Worked at Mission Control during the moon missions. His son however, was behind the door when they passed out the mathematical smarts. I use this to calculate volume of a board... http://www.calculatoredge.com/enggcalc/volume.html

I plug my numbers into the "volume of an ellipsoid". Take those numbers given in cubic inches, scroll to the top of the page where I plug them into the "enter value" box and convert "cubic inches into liters".

Can I consider this reasonably accurate enough? Seems on the low side.  Help?

14

Random / Motivational speaking

« on: May 30, 2015, 09:51:09 AM »

Motivational speaking delivered by one of the best.

15

The Shape Shack / "Long is the new short"

« on: April 21, 2015, 07:18:59 PM »

There's a couple of spots I enjoy surfing when it's gets bigger. Only problem is the waves start off slopey and then wall up on the inside. That inside ride is great, but boy you get pounded and the onslaught is relentless on the fight back out, particularly on a sub 8' board. So I decided I'm gonna catch those slopey bastards way on the outside and cruise by the proners and my buddies eating a sandwich and smoking a cigarette (and hell, I don't even smoke) just because I can! And now that paddle back out won't be so terrible...I hope.

I guess Pono is right. Long IS the new short.

10'x 28"