83BL Chilli board

[JaM71]

Has anyone ridden one of the these 83BL Chilli boards? I haven't seen one in the flesh but as a I learnt to surf in the 80's the belly channels and outline caught my interest. It seems to be fast & loose under Barton's feet but he's got a fair bit of talent: http://www.chillisurfboards.com/store/c ... ries/83-bl

cheers,

[buzzy]

I really admire BL, and I grew up surfing from the late 70's on those thicker, wider, shorter (although not so much now) boards. I haven't got any spare coin at the moment but at some point in time I'll probably get my hands on one. Maybe come summer. I'll have a secure shed by then too so my wife won't know what boards are in there.

[buzzy]

Incidentally if I did get one I'd try to get it without the channel bottom, and see if Chilli will do one with some suitable simple concaves instead.

[BA]

Paging Hollowed Out. Hollowed Out to another Chilli thread.

[JaM71]

I like the shorter, wider, thicker boards as well. Living in Qld i just havent seen the 83BL and i am wise enough now to not fork out based on an internet image. If i had the chance to hear some feedback and have a feel of one, i d be sorely tempted.

I used to have a couple of six channels 10 or 15 years ago and loved the feel of them. The belly channels interest me, back in the day i remember a lot of the top pros riding them not just in clean waves.

Not sure if this board would be an alrounder but it could go balastic on the points up here.

[JaM71]

Buzzy, not need to spend the money on a secure shed, buy a couple of board bags and a few "demo" stickers

[Cpt.Caveman]

I like the look of it, would be a great option for more speed from less rider effort.

Can any shapers here comment on belly channels vs. tail exit channels?

[daryl]

I really admire BL, and I grew up surfing from the late 70's on those thicker, wider, shorter (although not so much now) boards. I haven't got any spare coin at the moment but at some point in time I'll probably get my hands on one. Maybe come summer. I'll have a secure shed by then too so my wife won't know what boards are in there.

Getting a Chilli and hiding it from your wife. Oh the irony

[JaM71]

I like the look of it, would be a great option for more speed from less rider effort.

Can any shapers here comment on belly channels vs. tail exit channels?

Leading on from the Captains question, anyone who rode belly channels care to comment on their strengths and weaknesses? I think Dooma Hardman won a world title on one in the late eighties.

[bombora]

Mate had one in very early 80s, a backyard jobbie, think from a fella from Curly, and I rode it a fair bit a when we shared a house and he was off at work .
If I remember right, seemed v similar to the feel of a later shallow concave board. Do remember I really liked it. The channels were quite shallow and softish edged. But then again it's all a bit hazy. Remember the board was super thick, quite flat rockered, wide and short bfor the time too. May explain the speed I remember. Rounded square.

[bombora]

Just looked at the pics of the Chilli; jogged the brain some more and remember mate's board also a single flyer. Actually looked pretty damn similar outline to Chilli just heaps thicker. Fook, now remember it was 6 foot, maybe 6'1" and he took it on a chicken boat Indo charter back then too and I remember him having a great session at 4-6ft Scar Reef on his backhand. Think he's still got it, now gathering dust under his house. Channels cracked pretty quick too if remember right.

[tiger]

As Bombora said, act much like a concave and create lift. A totally different beast to a 6 channel.

Very good in boards with wide, flat planing area, cos they are not as sticky as said boards.

[JaM71]

Bombora maybe you can dust off your mates board and take it for a spin.

Thanks for the info tiger, so belly channels were used as an alternative to vee before concaves took over in the 90's. Would you say that they are a good allrounder?

I did a google search and saw that Byrne do an updated version of tom carrolls 83-84 world title winning board (with belly channels).

[tiger]

Great in an allrounder for 1-4ft waves, particularly if board has a lot of planing area.

Phil Byrne was a big fan of them back in the day. I rode a board he made with a belly channel placed under the front foot, and it went great.

[Davros]

corky