December 19, 2007 (W)
I got home earlier than expected after successfully concluding our new contract negotiations. I swung by the reefs and was pleased to see that there were surfable waves. I scooted home, geared up and returned to paddle out for an hour and a half before it went dark on me.
Got some fun waves at several different spots on the reefs with few people out and got in a real good paddle workout from the Pier to Sarge's and back. Waves ranged in size from knee high to slightly overhead. I swapped back in the 9" RFC and really enjoyed it.
Fin Report. Of all the center fins I've tried (I have consistently used the FCS GL side bites) I think I like the one pictured here below the best so far. It gives me great speed, drive, and snap off the bottom. Much to my surprise, it doesn't hang up in the kelp much worse than my 5" RFC. Re-directs on turnbacks and cutbacks feel comfortable and solid and I'm able to tip the board over on rail from the tail section without fighting that sluggish, boggy feeling I'm getting with the other fins. I'll keep this one in for a while, but I still like experimenting around. I am constantly amazed at how a board's performance can be so radically affected by a fin change. It simply adds another element to the fun.
The next rain storm is due tonight so this is the last chance for a surf and paddle before conditions deteriorate for awhile. This has been an excellent season for waves so far. Rainy season is just starting up but so far the wind and rain have still left plenty of open days to surf. I hope it stays that way.
December 19, 2007 (W)
In: 1550
1st Wave: unk
Out: 1725
Wave count: n/a
AT= 52 - 50 degrees
WT= 55 degrees at the farshore buoy
Wx: Partly cloudy with frontal clouds moving in
Tide: 1.8 Rising to 3.0
Wind: SSE 1 mph to Calm
Sea Surface: Smooth with very light bump
Buoy: NWS
1500:11.2 @ 12.9 WNW
1600: 9.5 @ 13.8 WNW
1700: 9.8 @ 12.9 W
1800: 9.5 @ 13.8 WNW
10'4" Angulo SUP
Rock reefs
Waves: 6.5' @ 12 seconds (Nearshore buoy approx. ave.) Storm Surf Buoy Model
Hey Gary-
ReplyDeleteSo are you running the 9" fin with side bites?
If so, that's what I run and for my board it's the best set up I've worked out so far. I threw an 8" version of the exact fin in with same side bites and just didn't get the drive out of it that I like. You could really tell the difference so I switched it back immediately.
Another interesting variable was the side fins- I like to run regular sized side fins (off a thruster set for my regular board) and for smaller waves I like the Future Fin systems 3/2 fin that has two different angles built into it.
If you come of the bottom just right, those things really zip you along. Stamps gave me some regular angled side fins that don't have as much angle to them and I use those on this board when the surf gets bigger- they keep the tail from getting squirly when you're really moving.
Depending on when I get my new stick, you may be getting a chance to try out my Mahi really soon.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've been using the FCS GL side bites consistently from the beginning. I've never surfed the Olohe as a single fin.
On some of my earlier posts I've got all four center fins pictured that I've used (click on the "Of all the center fins I've tried" link), but always with the same side bites, which are the smallest FCS makes. I'm limited to FCS because those are the fin boxes that are installed. I like Futures a lot, especially the Vector series (Scimitar 451), and have some nice foils that I'd love to swap out but can't because of the fin boxes. Too bad because the fins are so expensive!
I can hardly wait to try out the Stamps Mahi so I can compare it to the Angulo Olohe. The shapes are pretty different (pulled nose vs. rounded nose; squarish diamond tail vs. rounded pin with wings) so it should be an interesting comparison. (I'm just going to have to pry it off Mash's gripping feet. Make sure he surfs it a lot when he's down there with you for the holidays. I want him ready to "give it up" for at least a couple waves when he comes back up here.)
Cheers and happy holidays to you and your family. I had coffee with Mash the other day and I know he's looking forward to his visit with you all.
Here's the link if you want to look at the Scimitars: http://bp1.blogger.com/_mU9WvGGtdIw/RjgB0GSfJSI/AAAAAAAAACA/52aY-fS6pyo/s1600-h/Q-Fish7.jpg
I'm sure he'll share! But, ride it a few times- it does take some getting used to, it took me a few weeks to get it dialed- so don't be afraid to hop on it a couple of times- I'll give Mike "special instructions"!
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to have someone in your corner and covering your back!
ReplyDeleteI love to surf in the big waves.. but sometimes i got afraid to surf because of the sharks..hehe
ReplyDelete