Project Rhino

Finally getting around to a project I've wanted to do for a long time... (what I hope to be) a Noserider model. I ordered a Futures noserider fin a while back and it has just been staring at me for several months now...



There are tons of different "noserider" models out there if you go to any surfshop. There are various types of concave designs employed to try to get the board to find that magic spot where you can hover over the water on the nose. I'm hoping this will work.

My design employs a concave through about 2/3s length starting from nose to the tail ending somewhat of a teardrop design. At the nose, I put in somewhat of a dish - similar to a Becker UFO.

outline cut and spokeshaved the stringer a bit

concave outline drawn out and used planer to remove majority of foam.



used 36 grit to blend the planer cuts, then 60 to smooth, then 100...


theory behind the nose rail is to prevent pearling...


soft 50/50 rails in the tail to increase suction...

Very Nice Matt, keep the updates coming.

Nice. What's the length of that? It's rainy here. I may work on one tonight. Surf is shoulder high and choppy. Tomorrow morning a cold front is supposed to push through. Hopefully, we'll have some beautiful longboard surf.

This is 8ft, so a bit on the short side in terms of noseriders, but seems so big on my racks!

I've been making some progress on the board. Hotcoat is on both sides and ready to rout the finbox for the noserider fin.

This is a with a 10.5" Fins Unlimited box.

Taping off the area to be routed


Jig in place - made this from some scrap masonite.


Hole routed and box dropped in to check fit.

Nicely done Matt - looking forward to the first nose riding pictures!

Got to get out on the board this past weekend. Was going to buff and polish, but was too anxious to try it out...

Little Smeds checking out the board. Turning 2 this week - "surfin!" is one of his favorite words... along with "wipeout!"


Three part sequence trying to walk the nose -- still got a bit of work to do to get it dialed in.




The board felt really big behind the boat - but definitely reminded me of summer small wave surfing in Socal.

We didn't have a ton of time to try it out, but I'm thinking it might be the most fun just playing around without the Perfect Pass - randomly adjusting the speed to simulate a wave breaking on a shallow reef - how it speeds up and slows down -- you have to be quick on your feet to keep the shoulder...

Nice Matt another great looking board and little smedman looks ready to go

I have three boards shaped but have not glassed anything yet

Love the picture of the little guy. Reminds me of when James was a toddler - great fun.