Apparently my old thread on these ("Who has got their hands on one of these?") is too old to resurrect? Or so says Seabreeze.

Anyway, thanks to a legend of a Seabreeze member, I now have a 11'1" Prince Kuhio, in the current Surftech construction, in my quiver.
Got my hands on it just before Easter, in time for a 5-day holiday up at Noosa.

Off on a tangent, due to accomodation costs getting out of hand, we've been staying at Noosa less and less (sadly). This time, we took our camping gear, and 'camped' on an ensuite site (yes, a camp site with its own ensuite) at the Big4 Noosa, which is actually in Tewantin. For families, it was amazing. About a 15 min drive to Hastings St. Given it was school holidays, there was heaps for the kids to do within the holiday park. And while I still feel it's expensive for camping, was about $90/night in the Easter School holidays, which is damn cheap accomodation for that period, that close to Noosa! Will be doing it again.

Back to the board, as surfanimal stated in my old thread asking about them, it's a completely different animal to the 11' Munoz. During the stay in Noosa, I got to surf at least once a day, and went through a bunch of different fin set ups. And had a ball.
Work (and life) has been hectic, so last weekend was the first surf since Noosa. Surfed 2nd Ave Burleigh, so a different wave to whats on hand at Noosa. Had a ball again.
While I'm not convinced it's as fast as the Munoz, it surfs like a dream. Paddles and turns just beautifully. Runs down the line amazingly too. Long story short, I'm thrilled with the purchase.
The board is certainly a keeper!

Cheers!

Damned,stoked for you ,you beat me to that one my original Prince surftech is THE board I should never have sold.your comparison between the Munoz and prince is interesting,as I have ridden both and the prince was a clear winner for me ! IMO,the Munoz always felt like it pushed water with the forward rocker,and did not nose ride (fives /tens) where the prince even with the 17.75 nose would nose ride great,it taught me my greatest long boarding lessons ! less is more and let it run as I had a bad habit of trying to oversurf / overpower any longboards, generally to much movement/ to busy ,whoops it's turned into a memory rant !again stoked for you and ENJOY THE LONG FLOWING RIDES, and the new friends you won't make

I can only imagine how a Prince Kuhio would flow with the weight of the original construction, let alone a PU version.

It could certainly be the waves I've surfer so far that give me the impression (and data from my watch), that the Prince doesn't quite have the speed of the Munoz... but is much more balanced at a slower speed than the Munoz.

Interestingly, one of the reasons for playing with fins, is trying to find the 'drive' that the Munoz has. I wonder if the forward rocker comes into play there? Push forward on that rocker to get some drive?

But that also then feeds into your 'greatest longboarding lessons', which was a conclusion I was slowly coming to. I'm looking for drive in a board that just may not have it in the same way, and I just need to sit back and cruise?

The legend that sold me the Prince, also own's a 10'6" Munoz - he put it in simple terms, the Munoz is an oversized surfboard, whereas the Prince is more of a glider.

Do you happen to remember what fin set up you used to run in your old Prince?

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justaddwater said..
ENJOY THE LONG FLOWING RIDES, and the new friends you won't make

Oustide of just not being a friendly guy , I now have 7 boards that are 10'+, so I haven't been making friends in the surf for a while.

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damned67 said..

justaddwater said..
ENJOY THE LONG FLOWING RIDES, and the new friends you won't make

Oustide of just not being a friendly guy , I now have 7 boards that are 10'+, so I haven't been making friends in the surf for a while.

Im hearing you. Big boards are addictive and fun.

Hi, I too have the Prince very happy with the board but have only had a few waves so far, I would be interested to hear what fin set up everyone likes with the board. Cheers

From a fading memory,mostly 2+1 rear fin no bigger than 7"and vertical template .and side bites the old fcs1 GL smallest available,sometimes a single fin hand made 9" Skip Frye copy ,less base area and again vertical,for me Skip knows things about boards of this length and longer!,I always try GG 4Afins in every longboard,but I did not like it in very long boards ,it's been mentioned before probably in the thread that's been deleted,you have a very long rail line and parallel plan shape to use as well IMO.DONT GO TO BIG IN FIN SIZE,for me I liked a bit of drift in the tail while on the nose .The thing I really loved about the prince was the knee paddling ,very handy as my pop up began to fade!if you want to be true to Tak design Donald had his own spin on 2+1.his side bites are unique and his fear fin was very vertical with a lot of tip area used to be call a thumb fin from memory,do some research on the USA sites,or North Coast Surfboards Byron,GO THE GLIDE!!!

Hi guys,

I love reading these types of posts and thanks for the kind words also

After selling that Prince and having serious sellers regret, I grabbed another in a shop down south. I've subsequently found out that the importer to Aust is no longer bringing them in, so hold on to them !

I had a Prince in PU which I got from North Coast up in Byron. An absolutely beautiful craft and silky smooth with that extra weight to effortlessly glide across sections. Unfortunately, I also sold it too soon and with a $4000+ price tag new, can't see myself getting another and to be honest, hard to justify a board at that price with crowds never to far away from destroying our rides.
I once had a conversation with Josh Hall re fins for gliders and he stressed to not over fin them so I generally use GL side bites (plastic when small and glass when chest high) and a 6 1/2 inch centre. It's manoeuvrable and stable. I think it works.

A few weeks back the family did a little road trip down the coast for the day. It was crowded but on the 11'0 Prince, I was able to catch the rides the others were leaving and felt like I was surfing solo much to their bemusement. It's an advantage but when utilised correctly, a blast without copping heat from the locals.

I recently got my hands on an original Tuflite 11'0 Munoz. A holy grail board IMO and such a different board to the Prince. It's a point and shoot machine whereas the Prince is silky.

The Munoz is also no longer coming into Aust or being made OS, however I'm told that a 9'6 or thereabouts may hit the Surftech line is a year or two.

If you like the bigger boards, I've also fallen in love with the Aipa Surftech Big Boy and Big Brother Stings. The 10'0 is a beast but surfs brilliantly and a great one board option for 1-6 foot + (not that we will ever only have one board).

Stay stoked guys

I wholeheartedly agree - the 11' Munoz in original tuflite is my Holy Grail too. I'd love the full set. I've got the 12' in original Tuflite, so that's a start.

I run both my 11' and 12' Munoz's with a 7.5" Island Fin Design Makai fin and Glass GL-like sides that are around 3.75".
That's the set up I started with in the Prince. Also ran it with the Makai alone. An 8" Noosa Longboards Tea Tree fin, with and without the sides. And then with a 6" Shapers S9 with the sides.
The S9 with sides was my favourite out of those.
The seller then pointed me to a Surftech sales vid for the Kuhio as a fin guide. Not too sure what the fin actually was, but the closest fin I had in my collection was 9" Glide Witches hat.... a long, raked out fin with a really wide base. I didn't expect much, and yet was pleasantly surprised. That's what's still in the board (with the side bites).
Interestingly, Takayama recommends the finger fin for the Kuhio's, which are also a long, raked out fin. But I'm sure those recommendations were for the PU version.

Cheers

Surf animal is that the Munoz from the Island Vico , from memory it was very well priced as well, it looks pristine!

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justaddwater said..
Surf animal is that the Munoz from the Island Vico , from memory it was very well priced as well, it looks pristine!

Sure was mate. Luckily the seller and I had traded McCoy's a couple of times previously so I got first dibs !
The deck is super clean, the underside a couple of paint scratches and the nose needs a dab of paint which are in getting done now but it was a very good survivor

Thanks for the input guys.My board came with a 91/2" fluid foils cutaway. It felt ok but it's only early days. Cheers

Just an FYI on the fin suggestions for the Prince Kuhio.

Donald designed this board around his 7" Finger Fin to be used with his specific side bites also. As the Prince Kuhio is a bigger rendition of DT-4, both this and his DT-1 (Speed Shape) are designed around that particular 2 + 1 fin setup.
While the Finger Fin may look weird to some people, once you ride this setup on one of Donald's longer, more pulled in tails you will quickly realise the full potential of that board.
Occasionally, they are also ridden with either a 7.25" or an 8.25" version of Donald's Pivot Fin, which is a more upright, while still narrow based fin. These still work real good, but IMO once you've ridden and felt the magic of the Finger Fin you won't ever go back.

That's not to say these 11 footers don't work great as single fins also. Usually we will run/suggest an 8.5" DT RP fin, which is the same fin we will ride in a few of Donald's more traditional based designs (Double Ender, NR-2 etc)

As mentioned earlier in this thread, the worst thing you can do with these longer boards (not just a DT) is "over fin" them.

Thanks for chiming in Evan!
Do you think the difference in weight between a PU version and the current Surftech models would influence fin choice at all?

It's always a consideration, and of course everyone is different with how they like a board to "feel" when surfing it.

I rode our OG Surtech Prince a few weeks ago with a 7.25" Pivot fin and it indeed did feel a touch small, even with side bites. The weight and buoyancy of the board seemed to want something a bit more sturdy in the rear end. Mind you, the waves were bowling and it would not normally be the waves I would take this board out in.

At the end of the day, most fins will indeed "work" in the board, whether PU or Surftech, but I find riding any particular shapers design with the fins they intended to be ridden in the board always unlocks some of the secrets of the design that one wouldn't otherwise feel.

The finger fin worked an absolute treat in my PU Prince and it was obvious it blended perfectly.

If the Surftech boards came with fins and the finger fin with appropriate sides were what was offered, I'm sure they'd be the preferred ones to use but we are left to either buy a finger fin or use what we have.

Surf animal,yes a sign of the times FINS EXTRA,a down side of progress,with the modern style of changeable fin systems,I remember the days of glassed on fins,that were the signature of the shapers designs ,and most of us were content with that,knowing the amount of r&d that went into the designs

Yes, it's a bit of a concern at the moment that so many boards get sold without fins, and as such often get sold or ridden with the wrong fins. The wrong fin can indeed ruin an otherwise great board. It's all about the "up-sell" for the retailer.
I'll always give people fin suggestions when they are enquiring about any of the Surftech DT boards, as you've stated above, they unfortunately don't come with fins anymore.
Glass ons were indeed the pinnacle, as you knew that the fin that was on the board was the exact template that the shaper had intended to be ridden in that board.

Needless to say, every board we sell comes with the fins that were designed to be ridden in that particular board.

Shout out to Mr Squirrell and the North Coast team. Placed an order for the 7" finger fin and side bites yesterday while eating my lunch at my computer... Walked in the front door this afternoon, and there they were, packed well enough to survive a drop from the top of the Empire State Building. Free shipping too.

The quality of the fins are stunning. I also have a 8" pivot and sides that I bought from NCS a couple of years ago, stunning quality too. Finish is amazing.

Can't wait to try this set up out, along with some other variations/recommendations.

Ok enjoying the positive posts my next question is what size surf would you ride the board in? Obviously a sucking beachie would be different to a long slow point.

Asea a man with your ability wouldn't have an issue with taking off behind the rock at snapper. These model board is beautiful, the one Surf Animals sold was a real piece of art one of the nicest boards I've ever seen.

When I had the original surftech approximately 13 years ago,I only surfed it in knee /hip high low energy waves as a section connector, middle of the board trim.6/8 steps to the nose ,let it run stuff,the more I surfed it the more adventurous I became,however I never really felt comfortable head high + especially when the energy stepped up ,11.2 of rail to deal with quickly,was a real challenge. I ended up only surfing it in rolling point/ reef novelty waves,as there was something very special for me in getting away from every one,and getting back to the simple stuff ! the underrated..under recognised ,under appreciated ,state of TRIM/STYLE,LESS IS MORE,style of surfing.Ahh it was 13 years ago,and less crowded so I could get away with it ..Story time! The best wave I had on it was at Crescent Head hip high slightly onshore,from out the back to UP the river and step off at the boat ramp ! The worst wave,lending the board to a state champ at the Pass ,and watching him put it on the rocks! Luckily not to much damage the old construction was bomb proof,so if someone has a light blue old construction surftech 11.2 prince with gouges under the nose ,purchased from Munro in Byron, 10ish years ago and wants to move it back to its original owner please contact me

Sucking beach break might be a bit of a challenge.
That said, none of my surfs on the Kuhio have been reef or point.
Been either 2nd-3rd Ave Burleigh or the Woods up at Noosa. Last surf was decent 2-3ft at 2nd Ave - granted, it was coming up to high tide,
I think you'd surprised where these gliders can fit.

As somewhat of an aside, Gliders seem to be misaligned with small, weak surf. The Munoz's, in particular, need a bit of pace to boogie otherwise they're reasonably horrid to ride.

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damned67 said..
Sucking beach break might be a bit of a challenge.
That said, none of my surfs on the Kuhio have been reef or point.
Been either 2nd-3rd Ave Burleigh or the Woods up at Noosa. Last surf was decent 2-3ft at 2nd Ave - granted, it was coming up to high tide,
I think you'd surprised where these gliders can fit.

As somewhat of an aside, Gliders seem to be misaligned with small, weak surf. The Munoz's, in particular, need a bit of pace to boogie otherwise they're reasonably horrid to ride.

A small beachie as you said at Burleigh I would definitely use the Prince. Thanks

I've been riding glider style boards for over 10 years now and the last few years have got into the design and shaping of these boards. Over this time however, the quiver has evolved into a couple of Josh Hall designs (an Eagle at 11'8" and a Super Swallow at 11'), and a custom 11' Christenson Chris Craft. Now I prefer to create my own and use AkuShaper as my design tool before getting them cut out locally. where I finish them off in the bay before glassing.

I consider a true Glider should start at 11' but they go better with longer lengths, especially being around 100kg.

As for fins, for me I find the 4A template works best as I prefer the wider base to drive off. I've found choosing a fin size will depend on the size of the wave, not the size of the board. Generally though at 1-3ft i'd use an 8", whilst anything head high and above i'd use an 8.5" - the extra half an inch provides a slightly wider base and better drive in bigger waves. Engaging the rail acts as your fin so a 9" or bigger fin would be overkill.

I haven't ridden the DT Prince but my experience from surfing large Munoz designs in the Surftech range was their lack of weight, therefore lack of momentum, not to mention their corky feel. I also hated the 'slap' feel when ridden in even the slightest chop. A PU board just seems to feel and handle so much better.

Having shaped a 12'1" from complete scratch, there's alot that goes into these boards. Best not to over complicate it so I just go with a rolled entry through the first 3rd (provides smooth hull-like feel) , slightly flatter through the middle 3rd (this is your trim spot), blending into some moderate to heavy vee through the back end (great for getting on rail and turnability). My Hall's and Christenson have concaves and assist with a little more speed by straightening out the rocker but these boards are about getting from point A to point B in trim - I choose to compromise a little bit of speed for a better turner and trimmer. Rails blend from soft at the front into a 60/40 through the middle and an edge through the tail for bite - have no problem with catching rails. Wide point is way forward, easily a couple of feet up from centre - assists swing weight and they trim better.

I recently finished a AkuShaper designed 11'6" x 3 3/4" and incorporated all the above elements along with adding 6 channels. The channels provide bite and drive and work extremely well with an 8" 4A. This board is different in that it can be worked on the face of a good sized wave, where as alot of Glider's bulk at the idea and only manage a steady trim. This board comes alive over 3ft.

Enjoying the discussion, just thought i'd add my experience.

Good post Fredo! What is the glassing on your gliders for those of us that have to knee paddle, I hate knee dents in boards !

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justaddwater said..
Good post Fredo! What is the glassing on your gliders for those of us that have to knee paddle, I hate knee dents in boards !

Cheers mate - this 11'6" is 6oz bottom with 6oz top and 6oz deck patch. I love the weight, however most will not.
But true glide comes from weight and the momentum it brings...

Well done Fredo interesting, nice looking board by the way just curious what width do you go with? Cheers

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asea said..
Well done Fredo interesting, nice looking board by the way just curious what width do you go with? Cheers

The 12'1" is 24" wide x 3 3/4" thick
The 11'6" is 23 3/4" wide x 3 3/4" thick

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fastfredo said..

asea said..
Well done Fredo interesting, nice looking board by the way just curious what width do you go with? Cheers

The 12'1" is 24" wide x 3 3/4" thick
The 11'6" is 23 3/4" wide x 3 3/4" thick

Cheers

That's a beautiful shape freddo..nice work
Care to share nose and tail widths please?