what design for a 9-13 year old open ocean board

[55NSup]

Posted on gear thread , but not getting any answers.

I am interested in designing and building a board for my 9 year old that has paddled for 3 years. he has a decent 9-0 x 25 Naish board for waves and playing around.
This board has terrible directional stabilty due to big rocker and small tri fins- it sucks for cruising and some distances. He´s ready for the next level.

I´m thinking of building a 10-0 board inspiredd by the SIC 11 bulllet. Alternative is to build something with more flatwater and low rocker.

Does anyone have any experience with boards for kids that go beyond the first learning and fun stages ?

[supuk]

i built a 9'6 x 24 race board for a kid about a year and a bit ago, i just keeped it simple nothing fancy and he loves it and uses it in the waves too, there is a thread some were around here

[Pierre]

My kids ( 10 and 12), paddle successfully my tiny 12'6"x 26. but it's a bit difficult going upwind for the 10 years-old one, I guess a tiny 12'6" x 23 or 24, with reduced thickness and nose height, recessed deck and rounded bottom, very narrow nose and tail, should fit. something like a reduced model of a UL board. a fore remvable daggerboard may help going upwind.

[Pierre]

My kids ( 10 and 12), paddle successfully my tiny 12'6"x 26. but it's a bit difficult going upwind for the 10 years-old one, I guess a tiny 12'6" x 23 or 24, with reduced thickness and nose height, recessed deck and rounded bottom, very narrow nose and tail, should fit. something like a reduced model of a UL board. a fore remvable daggerboard may help going upwind.

[55NSup]

Hi Pierre,

Are suggesting that a retractable fin on fore will make the board point upwind?  This is really interesting idea. How far forward or standing point? 
Have you tested it? 

[Pierre]

Hi Pierre,

Are suggesting that a retractable fin on fore will make the board point upwind?  This is really interesting idea. How far forward or standing point? 
Have you tested it?

yes I and some fellows tested it. about 2 feet ahead of standing point, 10-12" deep and 3" long. it helps especially for lightweight paddlers on relatively big boards, adds stability too.