Roger, like everything, I am getting way too serious with the shaping stuff. The link to Swaylock's had me entertained for probably 4-5 hours and I now have some shaping software on my computer. Free of course. Will it help me shape a board? No. However, perhaps it'll give me some things to think about, understand the rails and more importantly that the board is 3 dimensional and that the shape is being effected by the forces of the water and the forces of the rider. I can almost see the beauty that the shapers put into the boards. A real board is not just a plank that is just spit out of some mold. It is designed for a certain rider, with a certain style, for a certain wave. The real shaper understands all of these things and hopefully turns out something that will let the rider and board work as one. (Deep huh, Turtle
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Here is what I have been asking: Why are the ocean wave boards so large? (not sure other than they might help when paddling) Why do they have so much rise in the nose? (because the steepness in the wave) How can a board, like the red woody, be the "greatest board for big guys", when all calculations say that it is too small? (not sure, but it must have everything to do with shape, materials, and fin selection)
My friend has a Mayhem ocean board. It is big. Too big for the racks. He has two other boards too. Both are too small for me with the wave he has, but in reality, it is more likely my technique instead of the wave. I rode the Mayhem and it is my favorite board. However, it is very, very slow. I now know it is probably because of the immense rocker it has and the 5" plus rise in the nose. I plan to look at it more carefully tomorrow, but I also believe it is not a flat board on the bottom. I am learning more and more and am learning that the subject of boards, shaping and the forces of the wave are deeper than the ocean.
In all honesty, I got into this because I have always wanted to make a surf board, if even just to sit in the corner, enjoy learning new things and like working with my hands. I also wanted to build the board that I could not justify the expense of. At this point, I have no idea what I plan to build. I go from twin fin, to thruster, to quad, to a board that is almost 3" thick and almost 6' long to just trying to copy the board I am too cheap to buy. Why do I not just tackle that board? Because it has concave channels, which I imagine getting them just a little out turns a good board into that board that just sits in the corner. In other words: junk.
When I build my board, I plan to create a thread like some others have done. From start to finish. I only hope I can get it done before the season is up. Good luck finding your answers, but I am not sure there is a simple answer to any question that has anything to do with surfboards.