Arguably one of my best Twinnies ever, I have been
hesitant to meddle with it thus far, but the time has
come to spark it up a little. In fact, little has changed
with the original besides the addition of a small flyer in
the plan shape in order to reduce the width of the
swallow. This should allow it to handle bigger turns in
bigger waves more comfortably.
PLAN SHAPE
The added flyer is positioned just behind the trailing
edge of the twin fin and pulls into a narrower moon so
it will sit and hold through power turns. Having said
that it is still basically a widish tail so will do all that is
required in small waves. Like all twin fins the area is
forward of centre as to allow a straightish plan shape
into the tail. Since Twin fins are so east west the plan
shape has to give them more drive as they cannot rely
on a rear centre fin like the thruster to do the job. One
can easily bury the back half as it is so straight then
push on the wider area forward to enable drive.
ROCKER
As all Twinnies should be since they are so loose, the
nose and tail lifts are best kept to a minimum and the
Hydro Twin is no exception. Since it has the capacity to
lift up front so much due to the Hydro lift of the
cathedral hull it taunts pearling so much so the nose
lift can be more reduced, benefiting both paddle and
front foot assertion.
BOTTOM SHAPE
This is where it gets real technical. The Cathedral hull in
this model runs from the nose to the front of the fins
where it dives into a deep vee out the tail allowing the
tail to sit down and behave in turn giving more control
through high speed turns. Hydro lift occurs even more
when water runs across the bottom from rail to rail
when turning creating exceptional lift and catch free
confidence enabling the rider to keep weight on his
front foot akin to flat to the floor in a car. The actual
paddle in process due to the hull is also made much
easier. All in all, one of the fastest Twinnies I have
made to date…all due to this bottom shape.
RAILS
Since Twinnies are so easy to put to rail and pivot
power is increased the accepted norm is to keep some
meat in the rail and the Hydro Twin is no exception.
This adds more drive to the board and gives it more
much needed reach.
FINS
Ideally this model favours a more upright fin like the
MR template since it is aimed at a more performance
style of surfing. I think the keel fins might stifle its
performance.
DIMENSIONS
5.6 X 20 X 2 3/8 = 29.4 LTS
5.8 X 20 ¼ X 2 3/8 = 30.7 LTS
5.10 X 20 ½ X 2 7/16 = 32.88 LTS
6.0 X 20 ¾ X 2 ½ = 35.16 LTS
6.2 X 21 X 2 9/16 = 37.56 LTS
6.4 X 21 ¼ X 2 5/8 = 40 LTS
6.6 X 21 ½ X 2 11/16 = 42 .64 LTS
6.8 X 21 ¾ X 2 ¾ = 45.34 LTS