Do you guys know any good links for technical info on boards? More specifically, I want to read about how different fin configurations/sizes and tail shapes affect performance. I've always just surfed and haven't put much thought into what I'm riding. I need to get educated.
Talk to Scott Busby at Natural Art surf shop in Buxton,NC. He can answer all your shaping questions for sure.
Thanks. I'm looking for something to expand on this; http://www.surfline.com/community/whoknows/whoknows.cfm?id=1027
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Sur...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265034183&sr=8-1 This book has ALL of the answers you are seeking.
Try to find something with diagrams explaining how the water flows. Reading about the mechanics of surfing will only give you a basic understanding. I had a shaper once sit down with me and he literly had drawn out the tail shapes and then showed me how the water flowed. It was pretty interesting. But, there are a bunch of other characteristics that go along with a board as well as the tail shape. Like rocker, hip, rails, concave, center point, fins...ect.
Try these sites - I don't know how indepth you need to go but they helped me alot. http://www.harboursurfboards.com/info.asp http://www.harboursurfboards.com/index.asp The info site had a ton of sub sections. I hope this helps.