New Retro Single Fin Shortboards

Long Island Surfer · May 31, 2003

http://groups.msn.com/Picstouploadanduseforhtml/chizler.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1180

TRI FINS ARE DANGEROUS · May 31, 2003

The new Channel Islands single fins are truly dreamy. It's like riding a piece of butter down a hot skillet. Smoooooth.

TRI FINS ARE DANGEROUS · May 31, 2003

<img src="http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/l38708.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/l38709.jpg" alt=" - " />

Here is my Dad's...

Phi1 · Jun 2, 2003

Up until about a month ago I pretty much viewed single fin shortboards as a sort of novelty item. I picked up an old 6'2" single fin about 7 months ago, surfed it on a few occasions but never really got it completely figured out. There were moments when it would work really well, but a lot of times I felt as though I was kind of holding back. I just took it out for mellow sessions, like cruising around in a classic car on weekends.

Well, I finally got the damn thing out of first gear and found all that speed I've heard people talk about with single fins. It's so much fun to see how deep you can take off, then race the wall trying to beat the next section. I can't believe how well it does reentries either, I think all the extra girth keeps it stable in sketchy situations and makes landings easier (the board is about 3" thick and 20" wide).

I'd really like to get a new one shaped using the dimensions of that board as a kind of starting point, although I'd be willing to bet it could be scaled down to a 5'10".

I have no doubts about abilities of the newer single fins, I truly believe that once you take the time to figure the board out you'd forget you are surfing something "retro".

Just add it to my wish list. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

GWS · Jun 2, 2003

I want a 6'6" swallow tail, single fin stinger.

Phi1 · Jun 2, 2003

Forgot to mention that I've been riding the single fin in good to average beach break conditions, not just lined up points and reefs. I'd say it is almost as versatile as my standard shortboard. 8" True Ames Norm Flex fin in it.

so the sexy · Jun 2, 2003

I've got a '78 G&S 6'8" single-fin. It's a little big, but it does work well in large mushy surf or getting into the small stuff early... I like that it allows me to step up a tad when I need to generate a little more speed and and you can just pump it down the line... It feels nice and dreamy.... I'd like to get smaller version from Rat pretty soon -- maybe 6'0" or 6'2". I just can't see myslef paying that much for CI single-fin, though they do look pretty sweet.

R3W · Jun 2, 2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by so the sexy:
I like that it allows me to step up a tad when I need to generate a little more speed.<hr /></blockquote>I love that feeling.

Who's Rat?

I've heard really good things about the Surf Prescriptions single too.

so the sexy · Jun 2, 2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by R3W:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by so the sexy:
I like that it allows me to step up a tad when I need to generate a little more speed.<hr /></blockquote>I love that feeling.

Who's Rat?

I've heard really good things about the Surf Prescriptions single too.<hr /></blockquote>Rat Surfboards He's a buddy of mine... He's got a new retro (is that an oxymoron?) single fin model out called The Hippe... I don't think it's on the website, but he makes great boards.

Spray92109 · Jun 2, 2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by *nstink:
Forgot to mention that I've been riding the single fin in good to average beach break conditions, not just lined up points and reefs. I'd say it is almost as versatile as my standard shortboard. 8" True Ames Norm Flex fin in it.<hr /></blockquote>Hey, my hotmail account go eaten. E-mail me your number again.

We can trade off between your single and my Prodonavich twinzer if you're interested. It's fast and fun, too, but quite different, I'm sure.

Mr Doof · Jun 2, 2003

Hey, that is about the same kind of board I was thinking of getting made with balsa!

I have no idea where I got the idea from in the first place, but the board TRAD posted is pretty much exactly what I was thinking of if the balsa deal pans out.

Phi1 · Jun 3, 2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Spray92109:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by *nstink:
Forgot to mention that I've been riding the single fin in good to average beach break conditions, not just lined up points and reefs. I'd say it is almost as versatile as my standard shortboard. 8" True Ames Norm Flex fin in it.<hr /></blockquote>Hey, my hotmail account go eaten. E-mail me your number again.

We can trade off between your single and my Prodonavich twinzer if you're interested. It's fast and fun, too, but quite different, I'm sure.<hr /></blockquote>You ride a twin fin and you quickly realize that Mark Richards was a god, and Simon Anderson was a genius. I'd be stoked to swap boards with 'ya Spray, weather permitting.

The twinzer sounds like it would be a blast, although if I fall in love with that board I'm gonna be pissed at you! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> My life would be so much simpler (OK, cheaper) if I could just be happy with a standard 6'2" square tail thruster.

Check your e-mail (assuming it's still the same one as before.)

Spray92109 · Jun 3, 2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by R3W:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by so the sexy:
I like that it allows me to step up a tad when I need to generate a little more speed.<hr /></blockquote>I love that feeling.

Who's Rat?

I've heard really good things about the Surf Prescriptions single too.<hr /></blockquote>But can anyone tell me why a simple single-fin roundpin costs more than a tri-fin double-wing swallowtail with channels?

Anyone remember the old order forms:

Base price (single fin): X
Twin fin add $15
Tri-fin add $25
Channels add $25
Wings add $15
etc.

???

toPBk · Jun 3, 2003

Spray92109 · Jun 3, 2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by *nstink:
You ride a twin fin and you quickly realize that Mark Richards was a god, and Simon Anderson was a genius. I'd be stoked to swap boards with 'ya Spray, weather permitting.
<hr /></blockquote>Yeah, but if you ride the twinzer, you quickly realize that the tri-fin is not the end-all. Too much energy went into refining and shrinking a single design.

It's good to see more diversity in innovative boards (not retro re-runs, but new thought going into designs once left behind). I know I'm having fun.

[ June 03, 2003, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: Spray92109 ]

Phi1 · Jun 3, 2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Spray92109:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by R3W:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by so the sexy:
I like that it allows me to step up a tad when I need to generate a little more speed.<hr /></blockquote>I love that feeling.

Who's Rat?

I've heard really good things about the Surf Prescriptions single too.<hr /></blockquote>But can anyone tell me why a simple single-fin roundpin costs more than a tri-fin double-wing swallowtail with channels?

Anyone remember the old order forms:

Base price (single fin): X
Twin fin add $15
Tri-fin add $25
Channels add $25
Wings add $15
etc.

???<hr /></blockquote>No clue. My theory is that some shapers are a bit hesitant to make boards that are too far from the norm, not because the boards wouldn't work, but because the riders might not be patient enough to learn to surf the board. Then they'd think the board was crap, the shaper was crap etc. I guess you need to find a good shaper that is willing to experiment a bit, of course the hard part would probably be finding the "extra" money to experiment with. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Don't know how all that relates to the end price for a new single fin being through the roof though, I've seen some really beautiful new single fins with some really ugly price tags. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> In the end though, a magic board is worth every penny.

R3W · Jun 3, 2003

Different blank than normal shortboard, gloss and polish, tints & swirls etc. = extra $$

Here are some examples from Bruce Jones' site.

Gloss and polish, up to 8'10" $50
Color charges by specific quote only (minimum - per color per side) $30
Extra or oversized stringers (each) $25 and up depending on width and length
7.5 oz Volan Fiberglass, per side $40
Opaque lamination color, per side $40
Opaque lamination color in Volan Fibergalss, per side $50
Three step lamination, resin tint or opaque, using Silane fiberglass $125.00
Three step lamination, resin tint or opaque, using Volan fiberglass $150.00
Pinlines, each $25
Fish Charge (larger blank must be used) $25.00

so the sexy · Jun 4, 2003

Here's some (crappy) pics of my '78 G&S single fin... It's a tad dir-tay, but regardless, it's a really smooth board to ride...

<img src="http://momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/l39867.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/l39866.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://momentoffame.com/snapshots/MomentOfFame/l39868.jpg" alt=" - " />

[ June 04, 2003, 07:18 AM: Message edited by: so the sexy ]

swissaccountdog · Jun 4, 2003

TFAD-
Do you ride those new single fins (CI) shorter, longer, or the same size as your normal thruster????

New Retro Single Fin Shortboards

Michael Peterson status

Tom Curren status

Tom Curren status

Phil Edwards status

Duke status

Phil Edwards status

Miki Dora status

Phil Edwards status

Miki Dora status

Tom Curren status

Duke status

Phil Edwards status

Tom Curren status

Miki Dora status

Tom Curren status

Phil Edwards status

Phil Edwards status

Miki Dora status

Nep status

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