I can't believe it has been about 2 months since I got this board. In the past week, I have finally had a chance to ride. I had been reading about these and it struck a cord with me. I have a regular VonSol shadow 7'0" fish that was a blast riding with 2 big twins and a small trailer. I could not believe how loose it was and easy to throw around.

So here is the Smik hipster twin that had the actual research in to making it a dedicated twin. I decided to support my habit by getting one. Mr Big was a great help in talking with Scott wo shapes them. Decided to go with the 8'3" x 331" by 123L version. I wanted a tad additional float for dealing with the softer waves in Florida. Board came with 2 big twin fins and a trailer. Good quality fins. I was able to get a T-shirt with it too. Scott was great to deal with.

Finally was able to not be at work when there was some surf. So my stats for reference, 5'10" and 192 lbs (178cm and 87 kg). First session out was basically wind chop/ semi wind swell. Not great conditions but I wanted to try it. Waves were not that good. Got a couple of drops in the chest to slightly overhead range. Once I got the foot placement down. Had to stand a little more forward while standing around. Once on a wave, and you get back on the tail and this board is just FUN!

Second session out was waist to chest semi glassy swell left over from some wind swell. Much better conditions. Found the sweet spot for standing on it. The board was nimble and fun. I will be getting a lot of use out of this board. Able to slide the tail out on a turn if I want to. I was riding the board with small trailer fin it. I will eventually try it as a twin, just want to get a few more sessions in with it before I start playing around.

nice one ninja ..looking for a little throw around myself ....

Beautiful mate, you're gonna have some fun on that!
Hey Scotty, where's my t-shirt?!

Nice board, that's the shape and size I've been craving .

Nice board ninjatuna, I like to try twin with trailer fin on my jl super frank.

Wonder why they they put a huge US central box in and not a fcs box for the tiny center fin. Better still 3 Future boxes would be ideal

It's not a full-length center box, won't take big ass longboard single center fins. Great for fine tuning da nub

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Bighugg said..
It's not a full-length center box, won't take big ass longboard single center fins. Great for fine tuning da nub

+ 1

High I see, that makes sense, does it work as a pure twin fin without the little centre fin ?

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Rossall said..
High I see, that makes sense, does it work as a pure twin fin without the little centre fin ?

It works but not nearly as well.
Tried it in good size down south and it hung in fine, but it was the smoothness through the turn and rail to rail transition wasn't as sweet.

And yes, the US box is about moving the nubster for different conditions and personal taste.
It makes quite a difference
Also in the front fin box's there's a small amount of play that makes a massive difference. Quite amazing really
I made a pulled in nose hipster and the result was actually too much rail curve so wasn't as settled off the bottom.
Had a fin key out with me moved front fins to back of box and all of a sudden she was locked in.

There's so many aspects of the current deign where all the elements combine to make the overall effect. (as always )
Tried deepening the concave through the fins. (Ruined it)
without the hip/Same rocker-concave not nearly as good.

it's the little things that make the big differences

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scott mckerc said..

Rossall said..
High I see, that makes sense, does it work as a pure twin fin without the little centre fin ?

It works but not nearly as well.
Tried it in good size down south and it hung in fine, but it was the smoothness through the turn and rail to rail transition wasn't as sweet.

And yes, the US box is about moving the nubster for different conditions and personal taste.
It makes quite a difference
Also in the front fin box's there's a small amount of play that makes a massive difference. Quite amazing really
I made a pulled in nose hipster and the result was actually too much rail curve so wasn't as settled off the bottom.
Had a fin key out with me moved front fins to back of box and all of a sudden she was locked in.

There's so many aspects of the current deign where all the elements combine to make the overall effect. (as always )
Tried deepening the concave through the fins. (Ruined it)
without the hip/Same rocker-concave not nearly as good.

it's the little things that make the difference

+1

Have found a set of the Asher Pacey 5.79 Twinnies and have a nub all the way forward in the box so the leading edge of the nub lines up with the trailing edges of the Big Twins.

The ones I have use cork and are flexible at the tip.

Stock fins a little small. Al Merrick too stiff.

And ya gotta have a trailer if you like to turn hard off the bottom.

And the Big Ones are awesome when you're on the schnozz.

Brenno's pic convinced me!

Course I am on the olde fahrte 9'2" 30.5" x 120 liter Orange Ghost Model!

Cheers!

Love that !
Great colour too

Here's pics of side fin box on Smik / Starby allowing fin adjustments

the fin has a Gearbox base which is similar allowing adjustments

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Rossall said..
Wonder why they they put a huge US central box in and not a fcs box for the tiny center fin. Better still 3 Future boxes would be ideal

I love messing around with fins and being able to move my rear fin around is a big plus I reckon.

Got a 7'10 hipster with the 5.7" AP's twin fins loaded into her, love it and wish I'd gone the 7'4. But also have a 7'10 Smik Spitfire V2 so thought they would be too close. The Spitfire is an awesome board too - set up as a quad.

What do folks think max rider weight would be for the 7'10" hipster transformer?

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goggo said..
What do folks think max rider weight would be for the 7'10" hipster transformer?

Not sure on max but some indication is, I'm 80kg 175cm tall and use the 7'10 for everything from fast glassy over high, small mess wind blown swell to flat water cruising with the wife. Great stability when standing forward then step back to engage amazing sharp turns with the hip tail.

I had the 7'10 and rode it no probs at 88kg. I reckon max rider weight about 92kg

@nzhipster- can you give me a run down on the differences between the hipster and spitfire?

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wazza66 said..
I had the 7'10 and rode it no probs at 88kg. I reckon max rider weight about 92kg

Thanks, my 95 kegs might become 92 kegs if I put enough time into the 7'10".

Anyone foiled on it much?

I'm 97kg in summer and up to 105kg winter coat and paddle the 7'10 no worries

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slugga said..
I'm 97kg in summer and up to 105kg winter coat and paddle the 7'10 no worries

Thanks mate, bought one.

A 7'10 has just come near me- very tempted although never tried one! I'm 70kg, usually did a jimmy lewis 8'3 x 105l although also go as low at 93l 8'0 sunova. Flash.

how do you guys think this would compare? How's the rail volume like? Too fat?

Can anyone comment in the AP 5.79 twin fins v's the original Hipster fins. Just snapped one of the side fins this morning and looking for a replacement.
Best board I have ridden yet

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Feps said..
Can anyone comment in the AP 5.79 twin fins v's the original Hipster fins. Just snapped one of the side fins this morning and looking for a replacement.
Best board I have ridden yet

Try some c drive twins mate. Alot if speed and drive with them.

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Nugdam said..

Feps said..
Can anyone comment in the AP 5.79 twin fins v's the original Hipster fins. Just snapped one of the side fins this morning and looking for a replacement.
Best board I have ridden yet

Try some c drive twins mate. Alot if speed and drive with them.

+ 1

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Brenno said..

Nugdam said..

Feps said..
Can anyone comment in the AP 5.79 twin fins v's the original Hipster fins. Just snapped one of the side fins this morning and looking for a replacement.
Best board I have ridden yet

Try some c drive twins mate. Alot if speed and drive with them.

+ 1

These work pretty good. Glass stiffer than the cork!

Thanks cbigsup, brenno and nugdam...i know there are lots of posts on cdrives, but keen to hear any more feedback with these fins on the hipster. Absolutely love the way the original smik Twinnies feel (esp vert and floaters). Quobba fins on the hipster?

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Feps said..
Thanks cbigsup, brenno and nugdam...i know there are lots of posts on cdrives, but keen to hear any more feedback with these fins on the hipster. Absolutely love the way the original smik Twinnies feel (esp vert and floaters). Quobba fins on the hipster?

Mate, the Smiks are the sh1t. Where I am for the most there just isn't the power in the waves to take advantage of them. I use them in the big juice. APs for the mid range, C Drives for all rounders.