This is a pretty interesting read. A bit long, but interesting: http://www.surfline.com/blogs/talki...tory-bottom-contours-from-the-80s-pres_45202/
Nice article. You can come to any conclusion you want. i prefer a bit o concave up front, with a bit o vee in the rear.
Every element of design has a purpose... at least in theory. Start putting them together... mixing and matching... and you have an infinite array of combinations to experiment with for your whole lifetime. That's why shaping makes you a better surfer. Once you figure out what does what, and what the different limitations are on different designs, you start to use that knowledge to build better boards that take your surfing to higher levels. If you have a decent eye, and are good with your hands, you should definitely build a board or two and see if it's something you enjoy.
