quick question

Discussion in 'Mid Atlantic' started by tsurfn, Dec 9, 2009.

  1. tsurfn

    tsurfn Well-Known Member

    79
    Jul 4, 2008
    ok being that theres alot more beginners on this site i hope i get better response than the last site....
    my question is

    is there a way to estimate how much weight a board will float before it starts taking away from performance?
    like will a 6'0 19 x 2.3 float up to 180lbs? or less?
    besides trial and error i have a few different boards and they all float me differently. thickness and width play a big part im sure, but how much float is too much or too little and how can you tell if your not getting enough?

    also im 160lbs and just curious to see what other people are riding in that weight range...

    looking forward to some feedback
     
  2. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    simple formula length x width x thickness / your wieght you are looking for a number around 20 for a shortboard slightly higher for a stepup
     

  3. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    pretty close to right for you 19.6 for a guy that is 180 it is gonna be a little small. as always use common sense look at things like rail thickness. also shape.
     
  4. MATT JOHNSON

    MATT JOHNSON Well-Known Member

    Oct 11, 2009
    i have seen guys around 165 lbs on a boards as small as a 5'10 i dont know the width or thickness
     
  5. tsurfn

    tsurfn Well-Known Member

    79
    Jul 4, 2008
    is that the width that "20" number?
     
  6. tsurfn

    tsurfn Well-Known Member

    79
    Jul 4, 2008
    when i use that formula i get around 1.625 rounding off

    6 x 19 x 2.375 = 270.75 / 160lbs = 1.6921
     
  7. GnarActually

    GnarActually Well-Known Member

    931
    Sep 30, 2007
    ..if you can rip...you can always take away some inches off the board
     
  8. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    It is a formula some guys on swaylocks came up with and for me all boards, it seems to come up pretty close. Don't get me wrong some guys definitely ride small small boards but I can say this seems to be damn close.
     
  9. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    Sorry guys all numbers are in inches.
     
  10. Antide Surfboards

    Antide Surfboards Active Member

    41
    Sep 28, 2009
    to help give you an idea, im 160-165 and my everyday shortboard is 6 x 18 1/8 x 2 3/16
     
  11. tsurfn

    tsurfn Well-Known Member

    79
    Jul 4, 2008
    can you do a quick example?

    im looking to get a lost rocket its a 5'8 x 19.15 x 2.18 i dont think its gonna work for me.
     
  12. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    72x2.3x19 = 3146.4 divided by 160 19.665 again I never bought a board based on this I just did the math on all the boards I really like.
     
  13. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    well a 17.8 but a rocket also isnt a typical shape a little fuller but I would say no esp if you arent really used to a shortboard. that is a nice looking rocket though on nynj surf. I do know where for a 75 bucks more there is a brand new 5'8 fletcher f4.
     
  14. tsurfn

    tsurfn Well-Known Member

    79
    Jul 4, 2008
    got it so if you are on the plus side of the 20 the board will most likely work and if its on the minus side it might work but you gotta paddle a little harder
     
  15. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    Yes you also want to take into account the 8 to ten lbs of rubber.
     
  16. tsurfn

    tsurfn Well-Known Member

    79
    Jul 4, 2008
    oh ya! right im prolly just gonna stick with my board for now the thing rips its just picky, everyones got a picky board! then again my 6'6 NX-1 goes into anything i paddle for...lol
     
  17. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    my step up is a 21.xxx with an extra 10 for rubber. more foam never hurt anyone.
     
  18. tsurfn

    tsurfn Well-Known Member

    79
    Jul 4, 2008
  19. Zippy

    Zippy Well-Known Member

    Nov 16, 2007
    I ride mostly fishlike shapes but have been riding a mini-simmons style board that is 5'5" . These are really wide boards though so that makes up for a lot of length. BTW I weigh in at about 200lbs more or less and am 6'1" tall.
     
  20. chrisd

    chrisd Well-Known Member

    360
    May 12, 2009
    yea and full rails can help. I have ridden boards that are too small and I just think esp if he doesn't kill it right now the 20 number is a good number.