Messages

16

SUP General / Re: Is SUP ready for the Olympics yet? The battle begins...

« on: June 22, 2017, 03:52:56 AM »

Let them make a Olympic one design inflatable and go play off in a corner all to themselves. Leave the rest of the sport alone.

17

Gear Talk / Inflatable SUP recommendation for my daughter...

« on: June 21, 2017, 02:30:38 PM »

Daughters (adult) looking for inflatable SUP....as close to hard board performance as possible. Rides my epoxy 12-6 x29 when she paddles with me. Althletic, 5'-7"...guessing 130-135 lbs...very fit ...with decent balance, never fell off the 12-6...ever...(yoga), some kind of exercises every day....Flies all over creation with her job.

What's  the scoop? Can you give me "the baby without the labor pains"....i.e. To the point ...would she be better off with something like a Naish "one" or something from Red Paddle company? Or? Point me in the right direction....

What's a good allrounder that's not going to be a nightmare when the wind picks a little... doubt racing an inflatable would ever interest her but don't want it to be a dog either. Most paddling in ther intracoastal, although she loves the ocean (wonder where she got that from?  and will end up out there as well eventually..

Your recomendations much appreciated. Especially the ladies....

18

SUP General / Re: Is SUP ready for the Olympics yet? The battle begins...

« on: June 19, 2017, 06:09:12 PM »

Just two pimps fighting to take over a new street corner. Its all about money and control.

19

Gear Talk / Re: twin-fins-or-more-on-a-race-board/so it begins

« on: June 16, 2017, 06:29:03 AM »

Personally, I wouldn't buy a car without an airconditioning. I would like to be able to turn the AC on when I need it or choose not to use it when I don't want to.

Henrik Fy

Your statement makes the case for a retractable centerboard/daggerboard not a ventral fin. The ventral fin would equate to having the AC in your car with an on/off switch under the hood with no option to vary the temperature from inside the car or even turn it on or off from inside the car.

The more it is explained, and the more video seen of it, the more it seems like falls somewhere between a viable way to increase a too narrow boards stability in rough conditions (other than down wind) and a crutch for poor paddling technique.

Not the same thing of course but it reminds me of the canard fin fad that came and went in windsurfing...a crutch, helping sailors with poor jumping technique from spinning out as easy when trying to land a poorly executed jump compounded by poorly foiled main fins. When the root issues were addressed the canard fin was unnecessary.

20

The Shape Shack / Re: Help with my dimensions

« on: June 15, 2017, 06:09:25 AM »

I started to respond with some step by step instructions to get you started down the right path..,one paragraph in I realized that it if virtually impossible to transfer this kind of knowledge...the videos by good board builders will give a glimpse of what goes on..,but like most thing in life watching someone else do something is completely different than actual experience.
I built a Soap Box Derby car with a fiberglass shell at 13....my first surfboard at 14...I will be 64 this August...very very few of the years in between have I not built multiple things out of glass/composites. All the way up to 86' patrol boat prototypes.
Wish I could do the "Vulcan mind melt" and give you what your asking for but it doesn't work that way.

Probably the best advice I can pass on is something my dad told me early on..." never do yourself what you can pay someone else to do when they can do it better and cheaper than you can".

If you make over $15 an hour at your job...even if you have the skill /tools/facilities/material sources to build your dream board...you will be better off spending your time earning overtime on the job your good at, and letting the pro board builder do what he does best. By the time you buy your materials at retail and factor in your time you will spend more money with a high probability of ending up with a lesser product...

Remember this...even if the build goes perfect you can still end up with a dog design wise. The reality is the customers of expierenced shapers have paid for his learning curve .... "THEY" paid for him to figure out what does and doesn't work. Do you have the time & money to invest in 100 boards to get it dialed in like they have? Unless someone is giving you the money to experiment with it's all coming out of your pocket.

If you want to master shaping and gassing SUP's for the learning experience go for it. Just put on your reality glass on before diving in...sanding fiberglass for hours is not the  "spiritual journey" many you would like you to believe.

Building an 18' SUP is more like building a boat than a board. Inconsistencies in shape that would be nearly unnoticeable on a 9' wave board will scream at you with something that long.

The very best of luck whatever path you choose.

21

The Shape Shack / Re: Ooooops I hit the button on a unlimited.

« on: June 12, 2017, 06:18:46 PM »

Hydraulic? 

22

SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order / Re: Safety colors

« on: June 12, 2017, 05:08:37 AM »

Dude...your color blind ...that shirt is green...your hat is yellow 

23

The Shape Shack / Re: Where to get eps foam for a longer sup?

« on: June 12, 2017, 04:59:47 AM »

Admin what is the chance of you creating a subcategory under shape shack to help DIY  Zoners source raw materials for SUP builds?
We could give the state we live in, the product type ( foam, glass, carbon, resin, vacuum bag supplies, handles, fin boxes etc) name of supplier, web address/contact information. In order for it to really work it could not be tied strictly advertisers...that would be too limited... but on the plus side it would drive more traffic to the Zone... almost certainly from other water sports as well and increase exposure of SUP to a untapped audience...sure would save a lot of hassle on trying to source materials for the new guys and old pros alike.

24

Gear Talk / Re: twin-fins-or-more-on-a-race-board/so it begins

« on: June 10, 2017, 11:28:12 AM »

Thanks Burcha for your explanation...I was thinking a much more refined application...not an all or nothing. I have heard before that SIC experimented with a similar concept and pursued it no further. Because Mark did not find merritt in his application does not forever close the books on its overall viability.

Windsurfing went through multiple re-incarnations of the same ideas only to reach significant different outcomes when working together with complimentary advancements.

25

Gear Talk / Re: twin-fins-or-more-on-a-race-board/so it begins

« on: June 10, 2017, 05:36:57 AM »

Not to put words in his mouth but I take what Pierre is saying as it's adjustable on the fly. Yes, you could stop, flip the board over and remove the ventrical fin in theory. But it's not practical.

Furthermore you can't adjust the area...
[/quote

That's exactly the issue with the "on the fly" method. Your stuck with what you chose...
With my ventrals, I can still replace to a different size mid ride. Not ideal for sure but
it's way better than get stuck with the wrong one for the entire ride or with non at all.

.please expound on your thoughts. Centerboards & dagerboards have the ability to increase/decrease area at any time. So in reality a cenertboard or more accurately a daggerboard in this case, gives countless choices between completely withdrawn to fully deployed and every increment in between ...how is that being stuck with what you choose? I'm not following you?
Hove you ever sailed cats? It would be like a daggerboard vs a fixed keel. In catamaran sailing there is no comparison....daggerboard wins hands down by its ability to adapt to any point of sail.

26

Gear Talk / Re: twin-fins-or-more-on-a-race-board/so it begins

« on: June 09, 2017, 07:42:09 PM »

Not to put words in his mouth but I take what Pierre is saying as it's adjustable on the fly. Yes, you could stop, flip the board over and remove the ventrical fin in theory. But it's not practical.

Furthermore you can't adjust the area...so whatever size you chose is always going to be a compromise. If it's optimum for upwind/side wind it going to be too big downwind...if it sized for downwind it's not going to be optimal for upwind/sidewind.

 Manufactures choose the easiest way with the largest margin...not necessarily the best solution. And think about the warrantee nightmares with the centerboard...they have enough issues with finboxes, handles and leash plugs.

27

The Shape Shack / Re: Where to get eps foam for a longer sup?

« on: June 09, 2017, 07:02:05 PM »

I get mine from an architectural foam fabricator...they buy 4' x 4' x 8' blocks in bulk. I have them hot wire out two blocks 8" x 30" x 8' so far I have been getting the two for $100. Their hot wire is computer controlled so it's stupid easy for them.

28

The Shape Shack / Re: Where to get eps foam for a longer sup?

« on: June 08, 2017, 05:09:01 PM »

A mitered joint is going to make little difference in 1 to 1-1/2 lb foam. I've joined a lot of foam with just a but joint. I've always used epoxy with as much glass bubbles as I could get in it...worked well. Hot wire slows down a bit going thru the glue line but not bad. Trick is a ton of glass bubbles and a thin glue joint. I'm  sure the Gorrila'glue is easier yet just don't trust it as much as epoxy...if I was using it I might go to the extra trouble of doing a mitered joint. Who knows? Maybe next one I try the gorrila glue on the next board and save a couple extra ounces😏

I have joined pieces to make a bunch of sailboards I jumped the begebies out of and never had one break at or near the joint. Good luck...all my boards start out as 8' long pierces...last one was 16'-2-1/2" so two joints...no worries... almost all the strength is in the skin. Have fun...warning building boards is addicting...😎

29

Gear Talk / Re: Comparison of my flat water unlimiteds

« on: June 06, 2017, 05:41:11 PM »

Your Richmond looks very " surfski-ish" .....

30

Technique / Re: Weight loss, technique, equipment

« on: May 24, 2017, 06:35:19 PM »

This dead horse has been beat over and over now for years. I'm all for you guys having bigger boards that are optimized to your size and weight. If it's the end all ...get an unlimited built to what you want and go out and enjoy yourself, prove your point...beat all the pros first to finish even if you don't get anything to fill the trophy case. 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's not going to get you in front of those "skinny guys"...read "in shape" guys. Most are decades younger than some of you...some half or less your age...

Truth be told, regardless of the size of board, brand of paddle or fin...I seriously doubt few (any) of you would be beating Kia or Connor on your best day....even competing at your all time physical peak. I know we are all legends in our own minds...especially when reliving the past.

Let us pause for a reality check...can you out prone surf Kai? Out kite him? Out windsurf him? Out foil him?  Hummm...that's what I thought...

There is a degree of validity to your position... but let's put it this way...wouldn't it be sad to have Shack O'Neal come out at 65 and whine constantly that it's not fair that he can't be a competitive horse jockey because the horses are too small. You don't hear me complaining that I can't compete in pro basketball because I'm 5'-8" and 63 years old. After while it starts sounding a little pathetic. You guys are bigger than that...oh yes I did....pun intended.

If it means that much to go faster on an SUP have you done all you can to make that happen?  Cut down to less than 10% body fat? Are you willing to give up alcohol? Give up the types and quantities of foods you enjoy but know are holding you back? Willing to train the hours Kai & Connor train?  Willing to do whatever it takes? ...crickets.....thought so...

If/When unlimiteds are finally the standard at races...what's the next "reason" for not winning? Let's see the rest of the list...maybe we can cut a few more at the same time.
I really do hope you big guys realize your dream of everyone racing whatever length works best for each participant, it will be interesting to see how it shakes out in the end.