Step Downs

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Hatchnam
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Step Downs

Post by Hatchnam » Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:01 am

Thread Specifically for High Performance type Step Downs (i.e; still built for hi-performance for everyday 1-4 ft conditions, more so than being a tiny wave groveller as such).

If you've got one, what is it, and how does it go ?
Sniff wrote:
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:39 am
Not enough for a full handbeak
steve shearer wrote:full dionysian hand jive body torque

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el rancho
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Re: Step Downs

Post by el rancho » Tue Nov 04, 2014 12:59 pm

never owned one but by all accounts go gangbusters

Image

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Hatchnam
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Hatchnam » Tue Nov 04, 2014 1:11 pm

:lol:
Sniff wrote:
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:39 am
Not enough for a full handbeak
steve shearer wrote:full dionysian hand jive body torque

alakaboo
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Re: Step Downs

Post by alakaboo » Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:14 pm

More information needed Iggy
What are your criteria?
E.g. I pretty much only ride boards that would be step downs for a good surfer.
HP rocker, wider and thicker.

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Hatchnam
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Hatchnam » Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:21 pm

firewire hellfire look good. http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/surfb ... d=hellfire.
as does the dylan mexican http://www.dylansurfboards.com/boards/2 ... 26/mexican
as does the LSD chubby checka
http://www.lsdsurfboards.com/boards/ent ... bby_checka

still loving the webber 'the one' but it's starting to get trashed and beat up pretty quickly (not sure if that's normal for SLX boards, or if mine's a factory dud) so i'm thinking it's time to look around for something else.. ?
Sniff wrote:
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:39 am
Not enough for a full handbeak
steve shearer wrote:full dionysian hand jive body torque

alakaboo
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Re: Step Downs

Post by alakaboo » Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:32 pm

That's what all my shortboards look like, except I don't ride them 2-7 inches shorter or whatever the latest spiel is

Natho
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Natho » Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:36 pm

For me a step down HPS would normally go something like this:

Approx 1/2 inch wider
Approx 2 inches shorter
Same thickness as normal
Little flatter through the front half and fraction more width through the nose.
Single to double with possible little V off the tail
Thruster
Round tail


Now all this said by favourite step down HPS goes like this:
1 inch wider
Super deep single
Rounded square
3 inches shorter

The board was an experiment outside of my standard 'norm'. Im so glad I took the punt on something a bit different. The board fricken rips.

Natho
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Natho » Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:45 pm

I should point out that one of the learning curves for me in experimenting with step downs while keeping them high performance is not to go too flat in the back end. This is a very general call though and you need to look at all the other design aspects, or better still leave it to an experienced shaper.
The learning for me is that you can still have a board that picks up quick strong speed and can plain through flat sections while keeping a performance back end curve allowing the board to still surf straight up in a vertical approach. The tail curve also allows the board to turn quickly allowing you to surf a smaller wave in the pocket if there is one. Flatter boards can let you down in this area. I find a round tail can assist in a board that is a little flatter.

Beerfan

Re: Step Downs

Post by Beerfan » Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:52 pm

When I get my knee good enough I'm keen to try a round tail quad for the same conditions.

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Hatchnam
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Hatchnam » Tue Nov 04, 2014 4:05 pm

I'd go for Almost the same as per nathos formula, but pref a square tail on smaller boards.

Natho, how does the MC (I assume ur referring to for your current step down) go in choppier conditions given the deep concave ?
Sniff wrote:
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:39 am
Not enough for a full handbeak
steve shearer wrote:full dionysian hand jive body torque

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el rancho
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Re: Step Downs

Post by el rancho » Tue Nov 04, 2014 4:16 pm

from the Dylan Mexican webpage description:
A board that is in between your performance board and your fun small wave board that you ride an inch or 2 shorter and a little wider and thicker than your normal high performance board


have they just invented a new board category for cashed-up surfers to throw money at?

AnthonyN
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Re: Step Downs

Post by AnthonyN » Tue Nov 04, 2014 5:05 pm

Me 5'11 about 80kg

MG Slayer 5'8 x 19 7/8 x 2 7/16 (very low rails) single to double concave, wide diamond tail, flat nose rocker and good amount of tail kick. I love this board and ride it the most out of my current 3 board quiver (all mgs) . Ride it as a quad with stretch fins (has 5 future plugs). Holds easily 4-5 foot. Went excellent on my back hand at that size keramas.

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Hatchnam
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Hatchnam » Tue Nov 04, 2014 6:30 pm

^^ sounds nice. i like diamond tails as well. maurico shapes a nice board also, have had one before.
Sniff wrote:
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:39 am
Not enough for a full handbeak
steve shearer wrote:full dionysian hand jive body torque

Natho
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Natho » Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:20 pm

Hatchy the deep concave board is no good in choppy conditions. It doesn't need to be perfectly clean but choppy and it's no good.

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Hatchnam
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Re: Step Downs

Post by Hatchnam » Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:49 pm

^ yep, thanks, figured as much. the deepish single concave on my webber tends to feel a little abrupt and unsettled if the conditions are sloppy.
Sniff wrote:
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:39 am
Not enough for a full handbeak
steve shearer wrote:full dionysian hand jive body torque

JET01
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Re: Step Downs

Post by JET01 » Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:08 pm

I just picked up a 6'0 x 19 5/8 x 2 5/8 Penn magic black. Only had a few waves on it. Round tail 5 finner. I've tried it with pc3 fronts and MR rears.

My good wave board is the same dims but 6'4 quadfather.

Looks like a good alrounder for 2-4ft flattish rocker, single to double.

It's one of his new designs so there limited info on the webs.
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.

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tootr
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Re: Step Downs

Post by tootr » Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:19 pm

Ron Goddard roundtail quad, single concave, chined tail.
Plenty of volume, but still quite loose and goes like a scalded cat

Image

JET01
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Re: Step Downs

Post by JET01 » Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:54 pm

tootr wrote:Ron Goddard roundtail quad, single concave, chined tail.
Plenty of volume, but still quite loose and goes like a scalded cat

Image

They look like pretty big front fins, are they around the M7 size?
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.

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