Bill Gwynn Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 9:30 AM... Driving to the beach...I round the last corner waiting for my first glance at the conditions, as I look out to the ocean...holy crap!!! I'm sure glad we are meeting at the other end of the beach where the conditions are much more manageable. Our regular crew was there as well as a whole bunch of the Sing surf crew. I would guess we had about 15 of us, and then another few WW folks we didn't know as well as a couple stand-up surfers and kite surfers. Conditions were about as good as we could have hoped for. Really nice 3-5 footers providing good rides for the more experienced, but not to scary for us newbies. I took my Cobra Strike surf SOT out for it's maiden session. Quite a difference compared to my long boats. I actually had directional control, with the ability to stay in the pocket for nice long rides. I'm hooked on surfing small boats. Pictures can be seen at: http://www.kayakpics.com/gallery/052205 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstephens Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 Bill: Lookin' good on the SOT today! From the smiles on everyone's faces and a few comments I heard, I think you weren't the only one getting hooked today! (Werner, at least, needs another boat.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wernermaas Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 And what a day it was! Indeed, easy to get hooked on a small boat in these beautiful waves. Thanks to all for letting me try your boats. Hmmm, should I build my own Surfyak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstephens Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Why build when you can buy cheaply? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sings_evil_twin Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 I was happy with the feedback on the fin additions. The folks who have never surfed a surf boat, found the finned Rip performing on the wave face much better than the other non specific boats that they have surfed. I wanted to do this experiment for the sake of finding out whether certain white water boats can be made more "surf oriented" with the addition of fins. I surfed a Necky Gliss for the first time, two years ago, at Santa Cruz. While I liked how it handled in the bottom of the wave face, I found it tough to keep on a diagonal run on a wave face, never mind trying to climb back up a face, and thus was unable to stay on the wave face for those "classical" long surf rides. Of course, nothing will match a dedicated surf specific boat for surfing. However, most folks don't want to spend the money on a such a craft, given the entry fee of $1500 and up for new surf boat. My thought was that if certain white water boats can be converted to enhance surf performance with the addition of fins, this would be a good entry point for folks who want to surf a more surf specific craft without spending the the amount required for a surf boat. The "experiment" cost me $300 to get the used Rip and $75 to get the 3 boxes, the installation screws/caulking and two sets of fins. Plenty of longer, planing hull ww boats can found from $250-$350. If you want more speed, get something like the Necky, Rip, Jive, Jive 810, or Prijon Samurai, or Eskimo Athlete. If you want maneuverability and more "playability", go for a Necky Zip or (S)Witch. If you a 'tween of speed and manueverability, go with a Necky Bliss/Gliss. Of course, if you find yourself really getting addicted to high performance surfing (as in how surf boards ride), you eventually will move up to a surf kayak, or waveski. sing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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