How do you size your fish?

jwd

Nov 24, 2004
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Looking to get a fish shape similar to a Christenson fish and wondering how to size it. The new Christensons I have seen feel wide and super thick even though the dims are 21 1/4 x 2 1/2. Wondering how much smaller I could ride them compared to my DD or do you try to keep them around the same liters as your DD? I assume this has been discussed but I searched the forums and couldn't find anything on point. Thanks in advance for any feedback!
 
Dec 23, 2018
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Personally like to go as short as possible. Wider but slightly thinner? 1-2 more liters than DD? 5’8” 140lbs and surf a 5’2”x19 3/4”x2 1/8” with a flat deck and turned down rails. Gets into waves so easy without the center fin drag
 

Aruka

Tom Curren status
Feb 23, 2010
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It kind of depends what you want out of your fish. If you are surfing mush waves and want something to get in early and make easy speed, go up in volume a couple liters. If you don't mind working for speed a bit but having something more sensitive and high performance, stay around your normal volume.

The main thing I would avoid, especially with a wider, more traditional fish would be going too long.

If you want to post your height/weight and the dims of your normal board we could probably help you dial in some dims.
 

mundus

Duke status
Feb 26, 2018
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Went with a 5'8" Lost retro fish 34 litres, my HPSB is 30 litres. Went upvolume a bit and loving the paddling and not feeling any drawbacks performance wise.
 

sdsrfr

Phil Edwards status
Jul 13, 2020
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mustache height.

im 6’1, puts me on a 5’6 give or take an inch. adjust thickness for weight don’t deviate too much from classic aspect ratio (length vs width) unless there is something you specifically are looking to fix. Literage add 1-4 from your HPSB depending on how much a ripper you are and how much you plan to grovel vs good waves.
 
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ANIMA

Legend (inyourownmind)
Feb 11, 2020
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I'm 5'6 and the El Tomo i got is 5'7 and it feels good.
I always think going too short it looks like your surfing on one of those McDonald's trays (although Asher pulls it off pretty well).
Like Aruka said... Im sure it all depends on the outline and what kind of waves you plan on surfing it in.
 
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Maz

Michael Peterson status
May 18, 2004
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I'm 6'1. Have had several 5'10 fish, and that seems to be my sweet spot. Had a very good 5'8, too, but it was thick and generously foiled.

Never liked super short fish, and I don't particularly like how they look, even under the feet of really good surfers. Asher Pacey, Bobby Martinez, No Salad, for instance.

I find that it depends a lot on what I'm used to. I good years/seasons, I ride mostly step ups, and then it just feels wrong to go super short. Also, I'm old as the wind, and like 1-2L more than most of you fellas.

Current boards:
5'10 fish
6'1 HPSB
6'3-6'10 Step ups
7'6 Gun
 

tedshred5

Michael Peterson status
Aug 5, 2015
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I'm 5'10 180-190ish and my magic fish size is 5'6 and about 2-3L more than my dd
 
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MathDebater

Michael Peterson status
Apr 13, 2016
2,580
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6' x 190lbs and ride a 5'8" fish at 4L more than my dd. It is epic is mushy waves, but sometimes I fantasize about getting another one that is a little thinner for better/bigger conditions.
 
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sdsrfr

Phil Edwards status
Jul 13, 2020
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6' x 190lbs and ride a 5'8" fish at 4L more than my dd. It is epic is mushy waves, but sometimes I fantasize about getting another one that is a little thinner for better/bigger conditions.
Do it.

My first was 5’6x21x2.38 32.8L, my second is 5’6x20.5x2.32 @30.5L

much more sensitivity on the top end, not much lost off the bottom. I’m coming from mostly HP-DD activities on a 5’10x19.5x2.28 @28.5L

ive since unloaded the old one because of how much more I like the newer one all-around.
 

MathDebater

Michael Peterson status
Apr 13, 2016
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I think a tuned up Banjo is my next purchase. I think my current one is 5'8" x 21" x 2.63." When I was going back and forth with Tim on that one he offered 2.5 or 2.63 and I chose a little cruisier, but I think on the next one I want to go 2.5" thick and a hair narrower for a little more bite. But that all said, when I have the cash I'm just going to tell Tim what I'm thinking and take whatever he recommends.

When I'm surfing soft reefs and generally non-hollow beach breaks the current one goes great through the flat spots but I feel like I would give some of that up for a little more sensitivity in good conditions.
 

20W-50 and blood

Duke status
Feb 4, 2004
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Looking to get a fish shape similar to a Christenson fish and wondering how to size it. The new Christensons I have seen feel wide and super thick even though the dims are 21 1/4 x 2 1/2. Wondering how much smaller I could ride them compared to my DD or do you try to keep them around the same liters as your DD? I assume this has been discussed but I searched the forums and couldn't find anything on point. Thanks in advance for any feedback!
I typically add 1.5 inches...possibly 2.5 is she seems dumb or drunk
 
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surfapotomus

OTF status
Jan 21, 2014
176
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on a leash
5'11" 155lbs, my fish is 5'6" 31.5L. My usual boards are between 27 and 28L.

I like my fish for grovel conditions. I'd probably size down if I was using it as a daily.
 

oeste858

Phil Edwards status
Sep 11, 2017
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Short as you can comfortably paddle and get into waves = more maneuverable = more fun. Most fish I have are hand-shaped PU so don't know volume, but liters would likely be 2-4L more than your DD SB, due to wider outline & thicker rails. I'm 6', 175-180, and my twin keel fish are 5'6 and 5'8. You really shouldn't have to size up in better waves, the design was made for slabby SD reefs. As always, talk to your shaper (Christenson) and listen to his recommendations on sizing- even if you are going stock, they are usually happy to help advise. There's also a surf podcast with CC where he talks briefly about keel fins and sizing his fish (at 52:12') :
POD: Chris Christenson - Boardroom Showboardroomshow.com › chris-christenson
 
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sdsrfr

Phil Edwards status
Jul 13, 2020
5,856
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San Diego
Seems there are 3 kinds of fish.

long fish: >7’
big fish: 5’10-6’2
sd fish: <5’8

I know of some rippers who prefer the bigger fish while other folk seem to like our high aspect ratio ones.

I hate big fish but don’t mind the other two. YMMV.
 
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urchined

Nep status
Jul 20, 2019
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I’m on my 3rd CC fish. First one was 5’8” stock dims. Really good but too much rail to set. 2nd one was 5’6” stock dims. Loved the volume but I like a bit more rail line. 3rd one is 5”8 with width and thickness of stock 5’6”. Perfect for me. I’m 5’11” 175. Final fish is 5.8x21x2 7/16