Board Thickness

[Skimmer23]

Just wondering what everyone rides when it comes to board thickness, and where they ride these boards? I tried to cover everything in my poll. Sorry flatlanders, but I am more interested in the wave riding boards/conditions.

This is the current board you ride or prefer,but feel free to state whether or not you like the thickness or would prefer to get something bigger/smaller for your conditions/skill.

I am changing from a 5/8 to 3/4 for the extra float and currently skim in Delaware.

[skimmybits]

rotate (east coast FL). mostly ride 5/8 though.

[Shawn Kenny]

5/8s

[skimmed alive]

i WILL be riding a 3/4...

[rockthejdub93]

my board goes from 5/8 to 3/4 to 5/8 ha i stumped you!

[SolvenCarlos]

Tapered

[Dr Higg]

my board goes from 5/8 to 3/4 to 5/8 ha i stumped you!

You would be proud of that, wouldn't you... lol

5/8 East Coast

[Skimmer23]

my board goes from 5/8 to 3/4 to 5/8 ha i stumped you!

Not that I am going to get one, but what are the advantages of that?

[SolvenCarlos]

Monuverability and float

[rockthejdub93]

Not that I am going to get one, but what are the advantages of that?

hmmm idk i like the feel of the thin but the thickness in the middle seems good for floating and because its a little lighter.. also for float or speed or manuverability or however you spell it lol

[xenjoiii]

east coast - 5/8

[paul drettakis]

5/8 gulfcoast woo

[paul drettakis]

oh and xenjoii the board rides great, thanks

[xenjoiii]

ohh man awesome, im glad you like it. i loved that board.

[Skimmer23]

hmmm idk i like the feel of the thin but the thickness in the middle seems good for floating and because its a little lighter.. also for float or speed or manuverability or however you spell it lol

Right on, that is a sick concept. I'd have to ride it to believe it though haha

[Jim Gordon]

Here's my view on the whole thing......thick boards flex less and work better in shitty waves and when going slow. Thin boards work better for good waves and when going fast and can hold a edge better than a thick board. The thinner the board the more it flexes, now because it flexes more I not sure if it stronger or weaker. I didn't test thick against thin boards, what's your opinion?

[Glass]

5/8th all the way. 3/4 is too goofy.

[Andy Schaaf]

i ride 5/8 now on the gulf coast but i will soon ride 3/4

[paul drettakis]

anybody ride the 7/8 sol?

[Skimmer23]

Here's my view on the whole thing......thick boards flex less and work better in shitty waves and when going slow. Thin boards work better for good waves and when going fast and can hold a edge better than a thick board. The thinner the board the more it flexes, now because it flexes more I not sure if it stronger or weaker. I didn't test thick against thin boards, what's your opinion?

Sounds good in theory. I should have my new board next week and if there are waves I will let you know if I can tell a difference like you are describing. I know my 5/8 held an edge much better than my 3/4 zap, but that board was a large pro so wasn't made from the same quality materials as my carbon 5/8. When ordering my new board I did take into account what you're describing though and assumed the new board wouldn't be as nice in "epic" conditions, but better for the day to day use. Since I go a lot, I deemed that to be more important. As far as strength you would know more about that then i would.

[skimfl]

3/4 tapered gulf coast

[mjs]

ive only ridden 5/8ths epoxy carbons

besides once using a vic foamie and basically sliding out to catalina

[ken suz]

in between 5/8 and 3/4 west coast

[skimmed alive]

as i said, i will use the 3/4, but thats only because where i am, it can get pretty shitty (like i dont know how to explain it, like the waves can get SO choppy)... i am yet to try a 5/8 though.

[Jim Gordon]

Sounds good in theory. I should have my new board next week and if there are waves I will let you know if I can tell a difference like you are describing. I know my 5/8 held an edge much better than my 3/4 zap, but that board was a large pro so wasn't made from the same quality materials as my carbon 5/8. When ordering my new board I did take into account what you're describing though and assumed the new board wouldn't be as nice in "epic" conditions, but better for the day to day use. Since I go a lot, I deemed that to be more important. As far as strength you would know more about that then i would.

I forgot to mention that the shape of the rail has a lot to do with holding a edge and the rocker too......not just the thickness of the board. As a rule the more rocker the looser the board and the less holding power....and did I tell you more rocker = slower. =(

[xjweezyx]

3/4 east coast i dont mind shitty waves as long as i have a 3/4

[waddsworth]

When ZAP first introduced the Comp Carbon they were built with 1/2" foam. My buddy ended up buying a used one from a team rider (don't want to mention his name for fear that his sponsor may take offense to him selling his old boards), and I rocked it a couple of times. I loved it. My first few boards I built with 5/8" per industry standard. But my last board was 1/2" carbon/s-glass with some extra stiffness built in. It was my favorite board to date - and I plan on building another. I used it in Jersey, San Diego, and Costa Rica.

I don't really buy the whole "float" argument. I could be wrong, but I really don't think that an 1/8" of additional foam applied to the minimal planing surface of a skim is going to make the board "float" better in the common-sense use of the word (as in bouyancy). I believe that rocker profile (like JG pointed out) is a far more significant factor. If anything, it may be the increased stiffness of a 3/4" board that contributes to the feeling of greater "float".

[Jesse Davis]

I live on the Gulf Coast and all I have ever rode is a 5/8.

[Jim Gordon]

WTF......who is that flatlander that voted on this thread?

[iriphardskimmin]

5/8 east

[Joey Peters]

i realized today that 3/4 isn't even necessary on the east coast, just get 5/8, way more control

[skimmed alive]

im not sure, im still debating... would 5/8 like be good in New England?!?! i cant rely on my friends cuz all of them except one, does flatland

[megadeth]

i realized today that 3/4 isn't even necessary on the east coast, just get 5/8, way more control

I rode a m/s 5/8ths proshape today, and it cuts so much better than my bulky 3/4. But, I don't really wanna give up the extra float. Maybe if I were to get a m/l 5/8

[SKIMLBS]

My only regret when custom ordering my exile is not getting 3/4 over here in South Florida. The extra boyouancy could of really helped.

[Jim Gordon]

My only regret when custom ordering my exile is not getting 3/4 over here in South Florida. The extra boyouancy could of really helped.

The way I see it.......extra float is only good for going slow. When you're going fast the extra float only hurts you. But what do I know.......I only make woodskims