I think they have a box that it needs to fit in at the event, heard stories of guys cutting off noses to fit in. The overhang would be an issue I believe.

Wouldn't that fin make it really hard to surf the runners? Really stiff? Most seem to have the fin quite forward.

hilly said...

I think they have a box that it needs to fit in at the event, heard stories of guys cutting off noses to fit in. The overhang would be an issue I believe.

Wouldn't that fin make it really hard to surf the runners? Really stiff? Most seem to have the fin quite forward.

Yeah I think your right in all points here, the fin would have to be flush with the tail to comply to 12'6..but then yachts don't include rudders as hull length?
I've put the box way back to maximise paddle drive/speed, it's primarily a point to point board, after 20' a 12'6 feels very short, but certanly heaps easer to surf & spin around.
That fin pictured was the one out of my 20', I just put that in to exagerate the idea of over hang, & as far as surfing, being back so far & swept as it is, yes quite stiff....in regards to paddle speed it was no good either, too small, it let the board yaw way too much, I replaced it with a large 11" fin & fixed that problem.
The board isnt on "rails" anywhere near the extent as the 20' & 16'...the shorter board & no nose fin obviously has a negative effect here.
I have no idea what a good speed is for a 12'6 race board? But with the larger fin it could be paddled for extended disance at 8.5 to 9kph.
Interesting experiment with a boards weight & the effect it has on glide....

When paddling "lazy"...long slow strokes the 7kg unloaded board would loose speed a bit sooner than when it was loaded with sand (your guess is a good as mine 16kg?)
But the effort required to accelerate to speed was much higher, & the top speed was about 9k's loaded.....unloaded is about 10.5k's
I think the 12'6 class may end up the most popular, mainly because of minimal expence, storage, speed is good, havent a clue how it will go down wind in a 2 m sea...but I think in windy short period stuff they may be better than long boards......what do you think?

I think those quoted speeds sound very fast. I would love to give it a paddle some time to get the feel of such a light board.
The quick pick up speed is a big plus in rough water because your progress is being stopped continuosly. I find the same in down winders, as you are slowed by running into the back of the wave in front then it takes a fair amount of grunt to get moving to catch the next one or stay on the one you are on. Where as in smooth water you can maintain the glide with the heavier board.
As far as length in the chop or short period wave I think that the 12'6 is easier to handle especially with some side wind. I have found that the long,18ft, boards catch a lot of breeze because there can be 4 or so feet of the bow end out of the water as it rides over swells.
Keep up the good work Dean
Dave

Hi Dean,
I know with the Port Phiilip Cup race in St Kilda, we want the race to be a paddle race rather than a board race hence we've capped the board limit to 12'6. We won't be concerned in the fin protrudes a little!