there was a pic posted here..surfboard with water "channel" near the fins?

[surftb15]

Does anyone have that picture? I am thinking about having a similar board made.

[surftb15]

Bumping this thread up.

[dlrouen]

I don't know what picture you're talking about, but it sounds like you're talking about a "Bonzer" tail.

[surftb15]

yea, what is the advantage to this tail? I know ease of turn.

[dlrouen]

I don't know too much about "Bonzer" tails, but I do know they rip in glassy conditions. I talked to my local shaper about ordering a custom "Bonzer" and he said that it would not perform well in choppy conditions. He actually showed me one that he was shaping, at the time - it was an 8'6" "Bonzer" with a square nose. Regardless, I was pretty turned off about the choppy performance issue; especially, being on the East Coast. I am sure someone else can shine some light on this issue; hopefully, from personal experience.

[njsurfer42]

I don't know too much about "Bonzer" tails, but I do know they rip in glassy conditions. I talked to my local shaper about ordering a custom "Bonzer" and he said that it would not perform well in choppy conditions. He actually showed me one that he was shaping, at the time - it was an 8'6" "Bonzer" with a square nose. Regardless, I was pretty turned off about the choppy performance issue; especially, being on the East Coast. I am sure someone else can shine some light on this issue; hopefully, from personal experience.

i hate to say it, but it sounds like your shaper isn't all that well versed in what a bonzer is & how it works. i've been riding them since 2006 & rode them pretty much exclusively for 4 years, from '06 till mid-'10. choppy, glassy, steep, mushy...they worked will in everything, provided (like all other boards) that the overall plan shape of the board was adequate for the conditions (ie: no hpsbs in waist high mush). traveled w/ them to costa rica, panama, & the maldives...they're great boards & i still have a couple in my quiver. i just like to try different things & right now i'm on a thruster & quad kick. have been since late 2010.

a few of the bonzers i've had over the years:


still have this one...
this one's currently for sale in the classifieds...

as you can see, a fairly wide variety of shapes & intended conditions here.

[surftb15]

Seems like a novelty board then. Even so, th design looks very neat, I would love to try one out. Don't think I would get much use out of the board though.

http://bonzer5.com/boards/bonzer-mechanics/

[Bronze Whaler]

Not all channel bottoms are Bonzers. Channels are probobly best for down the line point style waves. They were more popular 10-20 years ago- not many shapers have much experience with them and glassers hate them. Hammish Graham is one of the most respected channel bottom shapers in the world.

http://superstixsurfboards.com/surfb...hannel-bottom/

[super fish]

http://avisosurf.com/Cole5-2BD3.html

[surftb15]

these boards seem very interesting.
How large is the rear fin usually? how is the board rail to rail or does it sit better in the pocket of a wave?