MULTI
Having one board that is versatile enough to cover different waves and styles of surfing, would be I think an appealing option for the middle-aged market. There are many out there that would have the patience to work through the options and find their groove. All things being equal this model should serve many purposes. Having been at the forefront in quad fin designs I have accurately positioned them to suit this mode and the front fin quad positions will also serve to be a perfect position for side bights for a 2 + 1 fin configuration without compromise.
The quad mode also facilitates a small wave quad mode by using the Twin fin positions for the front quads and the normal trailor quad position which tightens the cluster allowing more east west pivot than a normal quad position could deliver. The 10” fin box has also been positioned in order to experiment with the 2+1 cluster in different ranges of surf. Above all the fin positions for the Twin fin mode meant an extra set of fin boxes set further south in order to pivot from the correct position.
If twin fins are set too far forward, they lose drive and the tail will jam. In addition, the fin box can facilitate a small stabilizer to enhance the Twinny mode in bigger surf. And finally for any single fin tragics out there the 10” fin box will allow plenty of adjustment for varying size depths of single fins.
PLANSHAPE
The Multi first and foremost is aimed at older guys inquisitive enough to fiddle with the different modes and find the one they prefer, or indeed at best to be familiar with all and know what conditions suit a particular mode and thus enjoy its versatility. The width and length of the Multi can be shrunk to smaller sizes if needed, but I feel it belongs in the mid length camp as a design. Area forward of centre is a prerequisite for every mode mentioned particularly the Twinny mode but nearly as important for quad and 2
+1 modes. The pulled in round tail facilitates fin modes being set more forward allowing one to control a front heavy plan shape with more whip. The extra paddle nose centric plan shapes provide cannot be overstated.
ROCKER
The rocker design for this multipurpose design has to be a compromise. Twin fins do not need too much rocker, quad fins a trifle more and the 2+1 a pinch more again. So much so, compromising a curve for all does not destabilize any to any large degree. If anything, my line of thought was to at worst end up with a looser twin fin, but as a mid-length is that not what us old bastards need...?
BOTTOM SHAPE
Nothing too groundbreaking here if indeed you have seen or ridden one of my Bullet series that have proven over the last 15 years how good this bottom shape works. Sporting a cathedral hull up front running into a central single concave then transforming into a deep vee through the last third. The cathedral hull lifts the nose when paddling at speed so flattening the nose rocker for extra paddle is not a concern in the pearling
stakes particularly with the wide nose also preventing this misfortune.
FINS / FIN MODES
1. Normal quad mode
2. Small wave quad mode
3. Twin fin mode
4. 2 + 1 mode
5. Single fin mode
All fin modes need specific fins, but some will be a part of several modes.
DIMENTIONS
7.3 X 22 5/8 X 2 13/16 = 49.71 LTS
7.6 X 22 ¾ X 2 15/16 = 53.98 LTS
7.9 X 23 X 2 15/16 = 56.44 LTS
8.0 X 23 ¼ X 3 15/16 = 58.90 LTS