Tuesday, December 31, 2013

5'6" Mini Simmons

Everyone needs a mini simmons in their collection of woody quiver. It's the quintessential board for those smaller days where you need a little more volume to paddle onto waves. They are the right mix of everything if you like to just cruise and not get to radical with things like airs etc.

I'm more of a cruising surfer then a tricks guy so looked forward getting this one punched out and having a play out in the line up.


Framed ready for gluing onto the deck.


I made up my own guides from pine to rip bead & cove rail strips. It worked a charm and got perfect strips every time.

Deck & hull ready to take shape.


Glade I invested in a bunch of spring hand clamps. These things come in handy!



Glass on keel fins made from Paulownia, Western Red Cedar and recycled pine.


Fins glassed on. I based the position on about 20 others I googled.

Vent plug in to prevent hot air expanding inside while commuting and laying on the beach.


The vent hole doubles up as a GoPro mount.


Ride Report:
This board is in it's element in smaller stuff up to about 4-5ft. I've had it out on some rolling 6ft surf off a point and it seemed to go a little slow for my liking. Like the tail bogged down. I think thats when a modern day thruster works better the water release of a skinny tail is second to none.
None the less this board is easy to paddle and have had some really good surfs with it mainly on the Gold Coast. It's been my goto board for most conditions around the 2-4ft mark.