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

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

 

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.

 

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/surfboards/deep-six-channel-bottom/

 

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.

 

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

 

center fin is typically 6-7", depending on the size of the rider, the wave, & preferences. at around 200lbs, i prefer a 6.5".
the extreme (15-20°) cant of the 4 side fins allows the board to hold really, really well in steep faced waves, which is why a lot of people seem to like them for barrel riding boards (not to mention that they're super fast, so getting swallowed up isn't as likely), & they go rail to rail quite easily...provided you know how to use your rail, & don't just try to pivot on the fin cluster.

here's an old(er) video of mikala & daniel jones surfing bonzers in hawaii:
http://youtu.be/2H2RSCf6sNM

 

Nj...I loved that Wynn bonzer at the top---great tint and a bit better looking than a bumblbee imho. Such a beauty...even floated u a trade on the one below it. Wish your current one was a few inches shorter...

Bump for a bonzer thread!

 

live4truth, that top 5'10" is one of those boards that i wish i'd never gotten rid of! haunts me frequently...such a fun board! i used a 6" fin in it...one of the only bonzers i've had that worked well w/ that small a center fin.

please take my current one off my hands...it needs a good home & is just taking up space in my garage!