QLD
2315 posts
Hardman or any others had any success with this? Whilst catapulting the other day the thought crossed my mind I wonder if the board was shorter it would avoid this happening. I can see pros and cons to it...
pros-
less length therefore less likely to bridge the gap between swells
less nose which once dives keeps on going down
less weight (ok not much but a little)
fits in car better
cons-
less rocker therefore it may catch in the chop???
Board is a 263 which I currently use for speed/slalom, looking to cut about 20cm off. Maybe it just appears long to me now and bothers me since it is my longest board.
Any further pros/cons or success stories appreciated
Thanks
1116 posts
The rocker line is most important, if that's right, then chopping the nose could help. The reduced swing weight is the key with shorter boards. Think of a seesaw, thats what a board does on the water with the mastfoot/base being the pivot point, if you reduce the length one end it will become unbalanced, unless you reduce, the other end or move the pivot point back!!
Therefore, It means the mast track needs to be positioned closer to the rear. My mast track on the windtech was already a long way back (windtechs ahead of their time), most of my mastfoot/bases were positioned middle of track, now I will position towards rear (Moving pivot point back), to take advantage of reduced swing weight.
So original rocker is key, and mastrack position also very important.
Having been in the sport for 21 years, the shorter wider concept on average is superior (In planing conditions, in subplaning conditions the longer water line is still far superior), But shorter wide, in ocean swells is far superior.
WA
280 posts
I recently did an experiment and cut a 260 wave board down to a 230 and gave it a big round mal type nose and this is what I noticed.
The mast still hits the nose.
The rocker looks flatter doesn't seem to affect the performance sailing along, it does seem to get into the tight pocket of the waves better.
On the beach everyone frowns and says that looks too flat.
Has a smidgen less volume 5 to 6 litres and minimal weight loss.
If the nose starts to dive it keeps on diving (less volume)
Does fit in the car better.
QLD
2315 posts
Thanks guys, mast track is a long way back and I run sails towards the rear of the track as well so nose looks very long (well even running a 6.6 at mid track the nose looks long). The rocker on the board is quite flat already but both my hypersonic and air look flat and dont have any problems.
con- looking at the board it may look crap with the nose off.
Maybe I should just be sane- leave it on and stop running it downwind in crazy swell [}:)]
WA
8895 posts
Ventured forth to Safetybay on Sunday with the Hardy fella on his newest FrankenHardy creation.
Decrep... I hold you responsible for teaching Hardy how to do this.
Went quick on the flats and went quick on a run half way down to Warnbro through the chop.
Wonder how long it will be before the galatic board company copies this one.
Jeeze he's bloody annoying
QLD
5283 posts
it sounds like you're cutting the perforations off penny blacks.
