Forums > Stand Up Paddle Foiling

nose outline on super short SUP foil boards

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Created by mattllew > 9 months ago, 8 Jul 2019
mattllew
70 posts
8 Jul 2019 9:12PM
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Just drawing up a new sup foil board on Shape3d. My current one is 6'0 x 26" and 94 litres with a square nose outline. Looking this time at aroun 5'5 x 27" and 100 litres. Only decision I'm struggling with is nose outline.... cant decide on either square or a more traditional round/pointed nose. A year ago I was dead clear that square was best to get you as short as possible and keep a it of stability. However, there's a trend emerging of Jimmy Lewis and Infinity boards (amongst others) now having traditional nose shape. As far as I know Derek Hama's 4'6" is the shortest SUP foil yet it obviously doesnt need a square nose.

Any thoughts? I'm sure traditional nose shape catches the wind less and has less swing weight but is there anything else I'm overlooking? I'd hate to make a new square nose board only to find Kalama, Sunova, JP and all the custom hawaiian makers all jump ship and make my board betamax overnight

PeterP
816 posts
8 Jul 2019 9:57PM
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The only reason to have a square nose is to give more stability with reduced swing weight - pulled in nose reduces stability but increases possible lean angle and possibly gives more forgiving touchdowns. A rounded spoon is probably the best compromise

PeterP
816 posts
8 Jul 2019 9:57PM
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The only reason to have a square nose is to give more stability with reduced swing weight - pulled in nose reduces stability but increases possible lean angle and possibly gives more forgiving touchdowns. A rounded spoon is probably the best compromise

mattllew
70 posts
8 Jul 2019 10:14PM
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yes... I'm leaning towards a compromise. Would love to hear why the likes of JL or infinity think it best to have a pointy nose on a 5.5ft sup foil. Why not have it even shorter and square if reducing swing weight for the same stability is the name of the game. Also, wouldnt a rounder outline in the area of the nose push more water when paddling?

I heard the phrase "if it looks like a surfboard, its wrong!" early on it foiling days. That's served me pretty well... but ultimately I'm a sheep and I'll follow the crowd :)

Mwstard
93 posts
9 Jul 2019 12:23AM
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Like this guy's ?

hilly
TAS, 7195 posts
9 Jul 2019 8:31AM
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I am getting one like this





hilly
TAS, 7195 posts
9 Jul 2019 8:34AM
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I have a fanatic which is wider slightly forward of centre which means you need to move back on take off. Wider behind centre should mean you are closer to riding position on take off and less swing weight.

seabreezer
377 posts
9 Jul 2019 3:53PM
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How hard work are these super short 5'5 foil boards to paddle around generally - ie if your paddling a little way offshore to a reef ? , or back out after super long rides ? .. if theyre super chunky presume they float reasonably well - ie 5'7's = 95 ltrs etc ...

scubaste
WA, 210 posts
9 Jul 2019 7:01PM
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Made myself a new board a month ago 7'6"
Made it so I could paddle and stay in that position narrow nose is good for swing weight feels very nice in flight cause there's no board up front.
I'm happy with it.
More wave count on this length for me.


mattllew
70 posts
9 Jul 2019 7:16PM
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yeah the smik, Mwstards's and Scubaste's have a nice outline. nice blend between square and traditional. I think the fact that we havent settled on a definite board shape across the industry shows one of two things:

- the sport is really young and we just havent figured it out yet and have hang ups from our earlier sports of surfing/windsurfing/kiting etc.
- it makes fig all difference !

DWF
565 posts
9 Jul 2019 7:19PM
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Square nose paddles straighter.

Kami
1566 posts
9 Jul 2019 8:07PM
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Select to expand quote
DWF said..
Square nose paddles straighter.



Yes, DWF, and therefore has more drive to early take-off.
The pro is the drive with parallel outline brings to the nose and the con is the pearling and catching of the nose's corners on the way down the face from cut back or reentry.

Mattlew, the pro of the square nose is the amount of buoyancy you can hide in the nose angles. If you want to do it very short, go square nose. That way to save foam in the nose angles allows you to go thinner board.

JEG
VIC, 1469 posts
10 Jul 2019 8:01AM
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I like square nose or at least rounded nose.



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"nose outline on super short SUP foil boards" started by mattllew