Kronos Nano - going to try smaller while I can

[surfafrica]

Ever since trying an L41 ST (my first taste of a SUP that wasn't a barge), I've wanted to give a shortboard shape a try. But I don't live near surf so only get out in spurts, and I'm nursing some chronic injuries so a true sinker is out of the question--I need to maintain the "fun factor".  I really want something that walks that fine line between balance and performance for my middle-aged intermediate skill.  I started my move in that direction with my 7'6 x 28, 95 L RNB (which is still my go-to all arounder).  The next step was the 7'5 x 26, 87 L NB (side cut + wide tail).  I'm ready to try moving one step down (which will likely be my last step). 

I've just started to talk with Kronos on a shape he calls the Nano:

It tilts towards maximum stability within the traditional performance outline. A more parallel outline paired with moderate rocker allow you to push overall dimensions as low as possible relative to your balance abilities. Also provides good glide relative to the dimensions.

The current thought is 7'4 x 26, 81 L.
I'm 148 lbs (67 kg). That puts the v/w ratio at about 1.2.

To give a sense of relativity, 81 L for me @ 148 lbs is equivalent to:
165 lbs - 90 L
185 lbs - 101 L
205 lbs - 112 L
225 lbs - 123 L
245 lbs - 134 L

[NorthJerzSurfer]

Awesome SA!

I think you will be right on with this.  I have really toyed around with a lot of shapes in the past year and keep coming back to a traditional shortboard shape.  Reason you see so many?...It just works!  granted it just needs tweaks for stability.

I've been hovering around 120l.  I weigh 215 at the moment without Wetsuit.  (1.23 GF 1.19 w/ wetsuit)

I have found 1.2 (ish) is the maximum performance without struggle (Not having to move constantly to balance, not having to be in surf stance all the time, and only partially submerged)

I think i'll have a 115l in my future for reeeeal clean days but 1.2 @ 120l  seems to be magic.  i also surf ....so when its a struggle i just grab the prone board.

[surfafrica]

I have found 1.2 (ish) is the maximum performance without struggle (Not having to move constantly to balance, not having to be in surf stance all the time, and only partially submerged)

That is some good news!

[ayup]

Nice! The RNB has been stitched together (I grab it next week - I'll send you pics) but my mind has been on a lower volume shortboard shape. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

[anonsurfer]

Ever since trying an L41 ST (my first taste of a SUP that wasn't a barge), I've wanted to give a shortboard shape a try. But I don't live near surf so only get out in spurts, and I'm nursing some chronic injuries so a true sinker is out of the question--I need to maintain the "fun factor".  I really want something that walks that fine line between balance and performance for my middle-aged intermediate skill.  I started my move in that direction with my 7'6 x 28, 95 L RNB (which is still my go-to all arounder).  The next step was the 7'5 x 26, 87 L NB (side cut + wide tail).  I'm ready to try moving one step down (which will likely be my last step). 


The current thought is 7'4 x 26, 81 L.
I'm 148 lbs (67 kg). That puts the v/w ratio at about 1.2.

Kudos for going smaller, the Nano looks like a great shape, very similar to my old 6'10" x 27" x 84L Buzz. 

My $0.02 ...  I would decrease the length and increase the width.  You'd be surprised at how short you can go with the right shape and foil.  More width helps stability.  Less length moves the center of gravity and the rocker zero point back, closer to the front foot.  I have found this makes a huge difference in "performance".    When combined with the right rocker the result is magical.  You won't want to ride your RNB again if you get the combo right :-)

For reference my 6'3" x 27.5" Hypto is 80L (19.4" @ 12" from tail), my 6'10" x 27" Buzz was 84L (20.4" @ 12" from tail), and my 6'5" x 26.8" Lazy Boy is 80L (19.7" @ 12" from tail). 

[Biggreen]

Ever since trying an L41 ST (my first taste of a SUP that wasn't a barge), I've wanted to give a shortboard shape a try. But I don't live near surf so only get out in spurts, and I'm nursing some chronic injuries so a true sinker is out of the question--I need to maintain the "fun factor".  I really want something that walks that fine line between balance and performance for my middle-aged intermediate skill.  I started my move in that direction with my 7'6 x 28, 95 L RNB (which is still my go-to all arounder).  The next step was the 7'5 x 26, 87 L NB (side cut + wide tail).  I'm ready to try moving one step down (which will likely be my last step). 


The current thought is 7'4 x 26, 81 L.
I'm 148 lbs (67 kg). That puts the v/w ratio at about 1.2.

Kudos for going smaller   When combined with the right rocker the result is magical.  You won't want to ride your RNB again if you get the combo right :-)

For reference my 6'3" x 27.5" Hypto is 80L (19.4" @ 12" from tail), my 6'10" x 27" Buzz was 84L (20.4" @ 12" from tail), and my 6'5" x 26.8" Lazy Boy is 80L (19.7" @ 12" from tail).

I like what both Jerz and anon have to say. And I think those widths at 12" anon listed are critical factors when going smaller/shorter.  Your height is also an important consideration IMO. I haven't gone where anon has on length, but my shortest is 7'2" 27.5 @76 liters for my 82 kg and 6'1" frame. Pretty easy cause it's what anon says about moving the COG and rocker zero to right where you stand. Granted, I don't have the waves y'all have, in terms of power. When I travel, I prefer a more shortboard shape. But I have to admit, short is fun! Nice shape! I bet you'll enjoy....but get an extra....even shorter!

[surfinJ]

Good going on the project. That's about the minimum that I'm at as well for my weight for my smallest boards. I do restrict myself to the cleaner conditions days as this keeps the fun vs frustration ration on the fun side.

[NorthJerzSurfer]

Ever since trying an L41 ST (my first taste of a SUP that wasn't a barge), I've wanted to give a shortboard shape a try. But I don't live near surf so only get out in spurts, and I'm nursing some chronic injuries so a true sinker is out of the question--I need to maintain the "fun factor".  I really want something that walks that fine line between balance and performance for my middle-aged intermediate skill.  I started my move in that direction with my 7'6 x 28, 95 L RNB (which is still my go-to all arounder).  The next step was the 7'5 x 26, 87 L NB (side cut + wide tail).  I'm ready to try moving one step down (which will likely be my last step). 




The current thought is 7'4 x 26, 81 L.
I'm 148 lbs (67 kg). That puts the v/w ratio at about 1.2.

Kudos for going smaller   When combined with the right rocker the result is magical.  You won't want to ride your RNB again if you get the combo right :-)

For reference my 6'3" x 27.5" Hypto is 80L (19.4" @ 12" from tail), my 6'10" x 27" Buzz was 84L (20.4" @ 12" from tail), and my 6'5" x 26.8" Lazy Boy is 80L (19.7" @ 12" from tail).

I like what both Jerz and anon have to say. And I think those widths at 12" anon listed are critical factors when going smaller/shorter.  Your height is also an important consideration IMO. I haven't gone where anon has on length, but my shortest is 7'2" 27.5 @76 liters for my 82 kg and 6'1" frame. Pretty easy cause it's what anon says about moving the COG and rocker zero to right where you stand. Granted, I don't have the waves y'all have, in terms of power. When I travel, I prefer a more shortboard shape. But I have to admit, short is fun! Nice shape! I bet you'll enjoy....but get an extra....even shorter!

Man great info in this thread!     I have a 7'9 30.5 4.75 shortboard shape on demo now.  Again- Im significantly heavier than you guys but it really has me wondering how short I can go if I increase width and volume.  My 7'4 hypernut is 105l and gives me a 1.08 factor. It works but needs a big- yet fat/flat faced wave- Which is a rarity in NJ.  I also have to be paddling to balance.

I know there has to be a shape that can get me stable with less liters than 120 or so. Really keen on upsizing a Hypto Krypto like Anon has.....

[supthecreek]

As Anon said, the width at 12" from the tail is key

I never really thought much about the numbers at 12", so I checked some of my boards

Interesting..... very different lengths, all similar width.... the "stability key" is the width at 12" from tail

Some of my lower ratio boards ridden and stability remarks:
(My Stats: 69 years old, 235 - 240 lbs during the "ride" period)

listed from lowest "weight to volume" ratio

(Ratio)
(1.15) Shroom - 8'3 x 32"    at 126 liters ------ at 12" = 24.75"  Most stable, ok in winter gear

(1.2)       Flow - 8'10 x 31.2 at 131 liters ------ at 12" = 17.6     Very stable in summer, doable in winter gear

(1.24)      Acid - 9'4 x 31.5" at 136 liters ------ at 12" = 15.6"    Least stable. Ok summer, nogo in winter gear

[surfafrica]

Thanks all.

Damn you @anon! I guess I have two more boards left in me. I definitely want to try a super shorty too. I'm toying around with picking this one up in the fall down near you...if I do, I'll be in touch...it'd be fun to hook up and swap boards. As you continue to experiment, I'll be keeping an eye on the ones you are looking to move! Erik @ progression project has been riding a 6-something L41 and it looks great too (comparing to his other boards....not me!).

I'm a huge believer in the support of the fat bottom. My RNB has pretty wide tail at 12". The design of my Kronos NB takes the wide tail to the extreme--using sidecut, the center width is 24.5, while the tail width hits 26.

With this order, I'm looking to reduce the tail width a bit, but not too the extreme. Kronos put this squash tail on it with that in mind. It pulls in a bit too give the outline some curve, but keeps some surface area back there for support.

[anonsurfer]

Damn you @anon! I guess I have two more boards left in me. I definitely want to try a super shorty too. I'm toying around with picking this one up in the fall down near you...if I do, I'll be in touch...it'd be fun to hook up and swap boards.

Please do look me up if you come down.  I think you'd really like my Hypto.   

To give you an idea of what is possible with 81L see the image below.  This is a Quiver Killer design I am working on resized to 6'8" x 26.5" x 4" x 81L (19.9" @ T+12").  The COG on the 6'8" Quiver Killer is 39".   Your proposed 7'4" x 26" Nano is superimposed for reference. 

If you scale the Quiver Killer to 7'0" x 26" x 4" it is 82L (19.1" @ T+12"). 

[surfafrica]

Oh man...throw a loaded dome on the bottom of that and you have a McCoySUP!  Before I got hurt and was surfing, I had McCoy Nugget. It (the Nugget) is a pretty divisive design, but I loved it.

I've been paying close attention to your Hypto-influenced designs. Ya, I'd love to try one.  ...and then chat over beer about all the steps and differences between the different versions you've been playing around with.

Creek, thanks for posting those dims. Cool to see those differences. What are those tail widths on the Speeed and your Creek models? The 7'4 I'm lining up has a tail width of 18.3" at 12" up.

[SUP Sports ®]

Oh man...throw a loaded dome on the bottom of that and you have a McCoySUP!  Before I got hurt and was surfing, I had McCoy Nugget. It (the Nugget) is a pretty divisive design, but I loved it...snippity...

LOL!...since Geoff McCoy doesn't make SUPs...prolly the closest thing to a hypothetical McCoy SUP would be my Jammer SUP design...which was influenced by McCoy/Cheyne Horan/Lazor Zap/Nugget...pulled nose...stepped rails...with a wide tailed butt crack swallow...but, you prolly already knew that...;-)

http://blog.surfingsports.com/jammer-sup

We built this 6'8" x 27" @ 88L carbon Jammer for Aryeh...and, he freakin' absolutely rips on it!

[surfafrica]

LOL!...since Geoff McCoy doesn't make SUPs...prolly the closest thing to a hypothetical McCoy SUP would be my Jammer SUP design...which was influenced by McCoy/Cheyne Horan/Lazor Zap/Nugget...pulled nose...stepped rails...with a wide tailed butt crack swallow...but, you prolly already knew that...;-)

The Jammer looks sooo much like a Lazor Zap.  If you ever have one in the 80-90 L range on the demo racks, I'm there!  I would love to try one.  Same with @anon's shapes--I'm really intrigued by them.

-----------------

I've been thinking about this project for a while.  I've been keen on giving a traditional performance SUS shape a try. Some inspirations came from Rawson's ProMo, Infinity's BLine and Kronos' High Performance model (I follow a guy on IG who has one).  Knowing that I'm no Mo or Giorgio, I knew I'd need some enhancements to make the board work (ie added stability). I started playing around with the elements from some of the boards I've ridden and put together a mutant prototype (see pic below).  I took the nose of my Kronos NB (full, but not too full), the mid-section of my Infinity RNB (a touch of parallel rails) and the tail of the Speeed (pulled in, but enough width for stability).  I tried to keep the general outline of the mutant in the spirit of a performance shape. 

When I started talking with Kronos about this new board, I sent him a picture of my mutant prototype. He had a model that he's been working on for a while now that matched my goals. It's not quite as aggressive as his high performance shape, but shares some of its DNA.  He knows my size/ability/goals/breaks. He made some refinements to the shape and suggested the same size range I had in mind.  As with every new board project, I can't wait to give it a go.

[anonsurfer]

It sounds like you have the outline dialed in to what you want.   What kind of rocker and contours are you going to go with?  Rocker is the most important thing on a surfboard.  The contours and how they interact with the outline and rocker are also very important.