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ted
Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: Location: Hawaii, Big Island
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 2:55 pm Post subject: Austin Paipo photos |
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Got some decent surf this morning. I was expecting a crowd, so I paddled out on the Austin instead of the HPD. Strong offshore winds made seeing on takeoffs really hard. I finally got the center skeg set for best balance of looseness versus drive, but couldn't quite trim into the barrel.
http://picasaweb.google.com/tedhon/Surf1310# |
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SJB
Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: Location: Santa Barbara
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Sweet. I just ordered an Austin paipo. I recently became acquainted with and love Puako. I don't suppose there are any nearby spots where a California boy might be tolerated in the line up? |
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ted
Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: Location: Hawaii, Big Island
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:24 am Post subject: |
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The Austin has become my go-to board for surfing in crowds -- the buoyancy allows zero speed takeoffs on the boil plus late sniping from the shoulder. Transition from the bodyboard was really straightforward. Riding the Austin is a very different feel from the HPD.
There are a number of good breaks not far from Puako (including today's photo venue). The Big Island has good surf, but the breaks can be very fickle due the blocking effect of Oahu and Maui.
It helps if you like rocks
I'll be happy to take you around next time you're here. If you can make it, we will have great surf on the Kohala coast in two days. |
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geoffreylevens
Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts:
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:00 am Post subject: |
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That first shot is great! The second, not so much a "rock dance" as a "rock and roll". OUCH! |
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SJB
Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: Location: Santa Barbara
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:51 am Post subject: |
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OUCH! I understand fickle because we are blocked here in Santa Barbara by the Channel Islands unless we get a westerly swell. Some good spots South (Rincon) and North of here but talk about crowded. Right spot and late take offs are the ticket. My travel card is likely booked (Mexico) until late in the year. Thanks for the friendly offer. If you come this way give a shout. |
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rodndtube Dolphin Glider
Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 690 Location: USA, MD, Baltimore
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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I am planning on some Austin paipo travel to SoCal during the first half of April and the Big Island during the first week of November (wedding) and probably in Oahu the 7 to 10 days before that.
Still plan to hit Costa Rica in early March (looks like room for one more if there are any takers out there). PM me for more info. _________________ rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i |
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rodndtube Dolphin Glider
Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 690 Location: USA, MD, Baltimore
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Austin Paipo photos |
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ted wrote: | Got some decent surf this morning. I was expecting a crowd, so I paddled out on the Austin instead of the HPD. Strong offshore winds made seeing on takeoffs really hard. I finally got the center skeg set for best balance of looseness versus drive, but couldn't quite trim into the barrel.
http://picasaweb.google.com/tedhon/Surf1310# |
Really nice shot. Ted, are you using small side bites in addition to the center fin? Out of curiosity what size of center fin are you using? _________________ rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i |
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SJB
Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: Location: Santa Barbara
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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I am also interested in fin arrangements. Austin provides three fins all 3 inch. Austin suggested he just uses the outer two and skips the center altogether. What are you more experienced Austin riders doing? Thanks. |
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rodndtube Dolphin Glider
Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 690 Location: USA, MD, Baltimore
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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SJB wrote: | I am also interested in fin arrangements. Austin provides three fins all 3 inch. Austin suggested he just uses the outer two and skips the center altogether. What are you more experienced Austin riders doing? Thanks. |
Hi SJB, what size of board did you settle on?
I generally use a 4, 4.5 or 5 inch center fin. My 4.5" carbon fiber is my favorite and I move it forward or aft depending upon swell conditions.
My sidebites are about 2", but can range from 1.8" to 2.25". Larger than that and they tend to bite too much into the wall and make turning off the top more problematic.
Some people go with a twin-fin setup and use larger fins/keels. _________________ rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i |
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SJB
Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: Location: Santa Barbara
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Rod.....I went with his standard 4ft 2 in, 20.5 inch width, 2.5 inch thick. I asked him about fin size and 3in seemed to be his standard.
I will probably try his suggestion with just the outers at the get go for a trial run.....and keep in mind your caution about turning.
Then I will give it a try with all 3 for comparison.
The fin thing is all new to me because I have been riding a flat bottom. After I get a feel for the board I will be back for some more detailed discussion.
What are your wave size parameters for placing the center fin more forward or back?
Thanks |
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rodndtube Dolphin Glider
Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 690 Location: USA, MD, Baltimore
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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SJB wrote: | The fin thing is all new to me because I have been riding a flat bottom. After I get a feel for the board I will be back for some more detailed discussion.
What are your wave size parameters for placing the center fin more forward or back?
Thanks |
A twin-fin and three-fin setup will differ, of course, as will the size, shape and positioning of the 2- or 3-fin setups. My personal experience was moving from a single large fin to a three-fin setup. I've been riding the basic Austin template for about 20 yrs with some fine tuning of the rocker and rails over the years, in addition to some minor width and thickness changes. Regardless, my fin progression has been from larger 6 to 8 inch fins down to 4 to 5 inch fins. The side bites have always been around 2" and I generally favor not having very much toe-in.
Placement of the center fin will vary depending upon hollowness and size of the waves. Small hollow waves will probably find the fin more aft than on larger but more sloped waves. The rails of the board do a decent job of holding into the face but there are times that there is simply no substitute for a fin(s), especially on turns and carves. _________________ rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i |
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ted
Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: Location: Hawaii, Big Island
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:26 am Post subject: |
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I've been riding Austin's standard setup: 4.5" center and 3" side bites. It does seem like a lot of fin and potential drag.
Riding with the just side bites is a blast in small surf -- super loose and fast. Riding thruster with the center fin way back makes the board track super straight.
I have been toying with riding it as a single with fin set way back, or as thruster with smaller side bites. Since rocks abound where I surf, I try to avoid anything that will compromise the bottom turn. |
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rodndtube Dolphin Glider
Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 690 Location: USA, MD, Baltimore
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:10 am Post subject: |
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ted wrote: | I've been riding Austin's standard setup: 4.5" center and 3" side bites. It does seem like a lot of fin and potential drag.
Riding with the just side bites is a blast in small surf -- super loose and fast. Riding thruster with the center fin way back makes the board track super straight.
I have been toying with riding it as a single with fin set way back, or as thruster with smaller side bites. Since rocks abound where I surf, I try to avoid anything that will compromise the bottom turn. |
Turbo Tunnel side bites are the most widely distributed small fins available, at about 2". They are foiled, molded plastic and available in FCS and Futures boxes. You can find them in many, but certainly not all, surf shops. I usually order mine direct from The Greek or via eBay.
Another source for small side bites is Vektor - these are made of Fiberglass. I have also had luck with special order side bites from RFC.
San Pedro Fibreglass Fin Company may be another promising supplier but I have not contacted them yet.
Links are here:
http://www.rodndtube.com/surf/info/WaveRidersPage.shtml _________________ rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i |
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SJB
Joined: 18 Dec 2010 Posts: Location: Santa Barbara
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Thanks guys for the helpful info. Rod....you mention The Greek and RFC as places to shop fins. I am unfamiliar.....are they online sites? |
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ted
Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: Location: Hawaii, Big Island
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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WNW swell holding today, had 2-4' Hawaiian with light offshore winds and no crowd. I rode the HPD by myself for about an hour and worked on tighter bottom turns and speed control. My bad (or good?) bodyboard habits surfaced as I started to tail ride the board and muscle the nose around. The extreme forward trim style has a nice soulful feel, but I'm having a hard time getting the edge set in critical situations.
After a bodysurfer showed up, I switched to the Austin in twin fin mode. The board is much more lively as a twin. The board never spun out, but I did get axed by the lip as my bottom turn was a little wide on one big drop. |
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