Haha that’s a good reply. I was thinking about trying some keel-quad fins that I have. The conditions are largely similar tomorrow -Fri so I might give that a crack too. You are right though- it seems to like peely bottom to top wave. It trims along the face quite nicely but needs some steepness
Hey all, I took that board for another spin today with the same am2 fins but clean, punchy shoulder-head waves. I guess probably best case waves?
I caught a lot and it was much looser than on other sessions, I guess the added steepness and push of the waves helped it a bit. or maybe I am just getting used to it now? I probably need to have another go on the spitfire to compare it again
just coming back to this query, fairly soft rails throughout. Nothing overly hard or edgy at the back
Hoppo3228 said.. What's the rail shape like? Yes it's thin... but is it a hard edge at the tail, and how far does that go up the board - or does it have a softer rail etc?
Wider tail and flatter tail rocker automatically suit fatter softer waves = speed and a more skatey feel. So I would expect hard edge on the tail rails to complement this. If not, then it's a bit confused as a design imo.
As you said it's harder to turn than others, it makes sense to me that it's designed more to skate along - which makes the super thin rail a poor design choice. Getting your rear foot way back and on top of the rail is the only way to get this to turn.
If my assumption is correct, they are trying to create a board to tries to be a bit of everything, but ends up being not great at anything.
I'm glad this post sparked up some good forum debate and passion again ??
I haven't been able to take it out for another sesh yet but will comment on the rail sharpness later on today. I have had other boards where the first session was hard to turn / work with a board and then it was awesome after the next few sessions. But I've also had boards like the spitfire that were amazing from first ride. I too generally get the best out of boards with thin rails, but I guess step deck is bit different. I was wondering about whether keel fins might work well with this
Thanks guys. I tried it with an Am2 futures fin, ie smaller centre and raked back sides. Maybe it needed bigger sides? I guess compared to My Smik spitfire, it just didn't want to engage in a turn in steeper waves at speed like the spitfire would. I've been running that board with keel fins and a 3.5" centre. Just feels like it needs more vee further forward to really roll the board easier?
Gave it a try today in some lumpy, shifty, windy conditions with the off slightly overhead set. The board was a lot of work balance wise: I guess the stepped rail being half under water and half over water, has a different type of balance? I also found that on the steeper waves, I couldn't really pivot it. Maybe the wider tail and straighter tail rocker need a bit more? Or maybe a different fin set up? Seemed like it needed a but more vee or heavier double further up
Haha awesome thanks. In your experience is the wider tail any concern? I just find it unique how the tail is actually quite wide, but thin. Also that there isn't much of a double or vee, maybe the thinner rails don't need as much bottom contour to roll? Hoping to find some waves later this week
Thanks Sls. Yeah I just can't figure in my head what its ideal wave size or height is yet vs my 8'2 pin tail spitfire. I do also have a LB style sup if waves are really dead. I assume roughly the same wave size and type would also be applicable for the Smik twin pin in 7'8 x28 size. It's just the wider tail, straighter tail rocker and not much double / vee that make me wonder how easy it will be to turn in junk, or good waves. there's some fun looking waves later this week, but not sure if I can hold it as a demo until then
Some extra context. I also have an 8'2 pin tail Smik spitfire, and a 9'1 Sunova LB style sup. Was thinking the twin pin could be a smaller wave ripper, with ability to handle bigger stuff too. Guess I'd want the same for this board
Whilst looking at the Smik twin pin and pro, this board popped up locally on sale. The shop let me borrow it for the weekend. This is the most pronounced step deck I've ever seen!! The rails are proper surfboard thickness. It's 7'10 x 29.5 x 99l. Seems to have a wider pin that has a touch more volume in it then the thinnest part of the rails. Concaves seem very mellow single, almost flat. And very subtle vee out the back fins. Very low rocker in the back, a bit up front for sure. Subtle overall continuous curve? I haven't been able to try it on a wave yet, but what do you guys think of the design elements? I can't figure out if it will be a smaller wave ripper, or if it's too wide that. Maybe with such pronounced step rails, it doesn't need much vee or double to help it turn? I had a quick paddle. Seemed stable enough. Feels like you need to stand fairly far forward to make use of the volume there. It's a shame the surf is crap this weekend. West coast is nearly 3m and messy. East is flat and wind swept. what's everyone's hunch on what it would work / not work well in looking at the pics and above info?
Circling back to this post. Did anyone buy the hipster twin pro? I'm also looking at that or the twin pin. I too have a spitfire currently. not sure what to get and can't find anything online on the pro! I have seen one in person and it is definitely thinned out and nice rails compared to the twin pro. But wider nose than the spitfire.
Thanks- how different did you find the HTPP vs the non pro version? It feels much more similar to my spitfire, maybe even more thinned out. Does it still have the fun factor or playability?
No one? I had a look At one in a shop the other day and it was crazy thinned out compared to the normal twin pin! Just haven't seen any reviews online.
The Sunova shorty seems to look very similar to my custom LB. Also a more 'playful' version of the revo, with single concave, slightly more pulled in nose and rocker. This is 9'1 x 26 x 93l
