Surfing Waves

Which would catch more waves, which would maneuver better, which would have MORE FUN in a variety of conditions? If you had to pick one:

8'6 Funboard 23 wide, 3 thick -or- 9'0 Longboard 22 7/8 x 2 7/8

I need help because I really AM trying to decide!

waterfowl wrote:8'6 Funboard 23 wide, 3 thick

That's not a funboard... but ignoring that because it's possible to argue about definitions of boards all day without getting anywhere... I think that may well surf like an inflatable airbed.

The questions I would ask you are, height, weight and experience, all which are pertinent in choosing your board I'd also throw in age and where you want to surf!
My preference would be the longboard, but without those answers we are just guessing.

You guys saw right through me. I asked for help on the Oregon surfing forum and you could hear crickets chirping as the tumble weed rolled by! Yes, this is a plea for help! The short version: I surfed like a mad man all through the 80's. I had never been on a long board in my life. Now I just turned (gulp) 50, and am pushing two-hundy, though I am eating clean and back in the gym. The rest is pretty common; went on vacation to Maui, got the old feeling back, yada yada. Want to get back in the water here in Oregon. The local shaper says he can make me this 8 to 8 1/2 foot wide and thick number that will surf better than a 9' log and I am tempted to take him up on it, but would LOVE some guidance! THANKS for any more replies! Dave

There are so many things that come into play besides dimensions dbb doesn't want to go into it but I will! Lol info helps a lot when buying a new board. You want to look at everything from the amount of rocker, rails, tails, fin setup/placement, then you go into concave or displacement hulls it's all about what you are gong to use it for!

pandarturo wrote:dbb doesn't want to go into it but I will!

Okay, you got me, I'm just lazy.

Oh alright then, I'll chime in a bit more. Although before I start, I'll add the caveat that I don't (and indeed can't) surf longboards.

In my experience, the idea of shortening boards but adding more width and thickness often does very little to help the board. You end up with an overly buoyant blob with way too thick rails.
The shaper says it'll surf like a 9ft log... well, then, why not get a 9ft log?

I have 14 years on you but I never stopped, I ride as my go to board in all sorts of conditions a 9ft rounded pin 22" by 3" and it handles my weight 220lb and performs well.

If your shaper is thinking a step deck or domed deck with performance rails at 8ft it may work well consider rocker don't get a longboard with excessive rocker as you will end up with the paddling performance of a short board.

Ask the shaper if he has anything like what he has in mind to give a try!

Also think what you surfed in Maui, then add wetsuit poundage and rubber restrictions and add some volume for that , add a little more for general fitness levels and the equation may add up!
BTW welcome back

good stuff and it is GREATLY appreciated- dead tired but will study hard again tomorrow after work. Thankyou all for taking the time. Dave

's OK

As everyone has said, just increasing width and thickness doesnt get anywhere without other changes. For example, a shorter board can paddle almost as well as a longer board if the rocker is lower (ie more board in the water); but of course lower rocker can create its own issues. Also, my experience is that while a shorter board can paddle out almost as well as a longer board, it wont catch waves as easily as the longer board even if its a high volume etc board.

Another key, as has also been pointed out, are the rails. I surf a 7'4 board that is pretty thick (2 7/8) and wide (22 1/2); however the rails in the last third are quite thin and almost square, meaning (in theory!) that you can turn off the tail quite easily ('in theory' due to my skill limitations).

It would be interesting to see how quickly your old skills came back - it might take several months but you will progress faster than most.

My preference is probably also the traditional longboard; 8ft boards are sort of neither long nor short - I reckon you go 9ft and then if you want a shorter board you go under 7ft6; in between offers no benefits for your (and my) size (8ft foot is good for someone at 150lb perhaps).

I would win!

dtc wrote:As everyone has said, just increasing width and thickness doesnt get anywhere without other changes. For example, a shorter board can paddle almost as well as a longer board if the rocker is lower (ie more board in the water); but of course lower rocker can create its own issues. Also, my experience is that while a shorter board can paddle out almost as well as a longer board, it wont catch waves as easily as the longer board even if its a high volume etc board.

Another key, as has also been pointed out, are the rails. I surf a 7'4 board that is pretty thick (2 7/8) and wide (22 1/2); however the rails in the last third are quite thin and almost square, meaning (in theory!) that you can turn off the tail quite easily ('in theory' due to my skill limitations).

It would be interesting to see how quickly your old skills came back - it might take several months but you will progress faster than most.

My preference is probably also the traditional longboard; 8ft boards are sort of neither long nor short - I reckon you go 9ft and then if you want a shorter board you go under 7ft6; in between offers no benefits for your (and my) size (8ft foot is good for someone at 150lb perhaps).

VERY VERY helpful and thoughtful and thank you so much!

IB_Surfer wrote:I would win!

YES!! I like it!