Tri Plane Hull Single

01/09/2021 - 15:21
First few rides here are on a custom Channel Islands Trip plane hull 7’1” concept design with single fin.

 Looking through CI's old board collection in the rafters, we spotted an early ’70s Al Merrick single-fin that was rather MP-esque in its outline.

We replicated the curves but added some of CI’s secret sauce in the back end of the template and rail.

Also, instead of running the expected light roll or semi flat entry into a light vee through the tail, we added Al’s Tri Plane Hull bottom that didn’t come out until few years after our reference board (TPH debuted in 1978 and was available as both a single or twin at the time).

I’m not typically drawn to single-fin eggy type boards because the ones I’ve experienced were fun but felt sluggish compared to what I’m usually on—three fins, and in more recent times been liking two.

The singles I have owned or sampled didn’t have the drivey feel I was after.

Seems like there is something pretty magic here with this TPH bottom and single fin combo.

Good squirt off the bottom, zippy trim speeds through the weak sauce, surprising grip (hold) in the turns. ... .

Made a new fin template for it that is currently available with True Ames....  

Going to keep tweaking on this through the fall and see where we land.

Already tried a 7’7 version that you can see in the back half of video (dark color board)...

That one is pretty groovy, too.A bit more cruisey but I only tried in one session you see here, want to try in bigger surf.

Goes really fast so I think we could see things open up on that one in bigger surf.

Keep you posted.

Vid capture Ryan Cannon ask @lograp/