thumbtail, squash tail or swallow tail???

[floater]

So Im ready to move of my tank of a shortbard and onto something more suitable for my size. I'm looking to go to a 5'10 or 5'11 all round shortboard but cant decide whther to go with a thumbtail, squashtail or swallow tail.

So what tails do you guys have on your board? Do you like it? Are different tails really that impactual? Thanks guys!

[drowningbitbybit]

Are different tails really that impactual? Thanks guys!

Is impactual a word?

Anyway, yes, tail shape makes a huge difference. So go and talk to a shaper and describe what you want to do, where you do it, and how good your surfing is (be honest with the shaper!)

A much better plan than getting some uninformed opinions of t'internet.

[Driftingalong]

Tail shapes make a big difference.

It can depend on the type of waves you're surfing.

And to some extent it can just depend on personal preferance.

How loose/stiff do you want it...they will all give you a different feel when turning and to some extent even just going down the line.

Do some searches on tail shapes and you'll get plenty of info to help you decide.

[tomcat360]

Umm.....what's a thumbtail?

In all of my researching on swaylocks/here/etc, I have never heard that term.

[Driftingalong]

Here check this out...
https://surfing-waves.com/board/tail_shape.htm

It's a shape between a squash and a rounded pin.
It's like a squash but with more rounded corners (looks like your thumb).

Less volume than a squash, but more volume than a rounded pin.

[tomcat360]

Hmm, always just called that a round tail.

Cool, I've got 2 round tails/thumbtails.

[FishKid Wales]

What about batwing or maybe swallow with a few sharks teeth further up the rails?

[floater]

Hmm, always just called that a round tail.

Cool, I've got 2 round tails/thumbtails.

Hey how do you like your roundtails? See I have a squash tail right now but have never tried a round tail. Ive done plenty of research online trying to discover the nuances but ultimately i want to hear people's personal experience on them

lol impactual is not a word it turns out, but it sounded like it should be..

[tomcat360]

I like them. I have always been told that they are good for front foot heavy surfers. I really haven't surfed that many boards with different tail shapes, other than some swallow tails and squash/square tails, and they are noticably looser than a round tail.

So I've ridden swallow tail, square tail, and round tail thrusters, swallow feels much looser and square feels a bit looser, not a whole lot though.

Longboards, round tails and square tails. I like the square tails better.

Funboards, round and square. Again, I tend to surf the square tails better.

Hmmm, after writing that synopsis, maybe I should ride some more square tails....

[rich r]

I like the squash/flat tails on longer boards.

For my short thrusters, I like the swallowtail in most conditions. My squashtail 6-6 is definitely a bit more stable, though.

[Driftingalong]

Hmm, always just called that a round tail.

Cool, I've got 2 round tails/thumbtails.

Hey how do you like your roundtails? See I have a squash tail right now but have never tried a round tail. Ive done plenty of research online trying to discover the nuances but ultimately i want to hear people's personal experience on them

lol impactual is not a word it turns out, but it sounded like it should be..

To me the round tail feels smoother through my turns (it won't be as loose). It may not be a significant differance, but you will deffinately notice the differance.

[floater]

cool thz for all the info....i guess i can consider myself a front foot surfer and i lean into my turns quite a bit, to the point where i sometimes feel myself turning too sharply into the face...the roundtail should help with my style rite??

[miamisurfer]

I don't think it will help with style but it will make your turns more drawn out and smooth.

[Driftingalong]

I don't think it will help with style but it will make your turns more drawn out and smooth.

But, that in it self may help his style...

[floater]

arite arite i took the plastic out and bought the new board! Got a squashtail in the end, dunt think im ready for a thumb tail yet. Its a Rusty Bob @ 5'11 x 18 3/4 x 2 1/4. Super Stoked!!!! Anyone ridden this board??


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[socalsurf]

hey floater, do you surf breakwater?