Hi guys, we don't keep secrets around here, and most of you know I waiting for a Tracker to arrive!
Express delivery from Byron Bay to Torquay takes about 3-4 days.

She arrived in one piece... I've had 100% success rate from McTavish. They wrap the boards really well. I was speaking to Dave at the factory, and he was having a cruisey day, wrapping 3 boards today... 1 for Japan, 1 for Wales, and 1 for Guernsey (UK Channel Islands!).

Anyway, here 2 videos...


I was a bit rushed, salivating about getting this board into the water!
So here you go...
-overview

This one shows the deck roll...
-overview&list=UUYHGoFQO8H4CCE0oRyF9gnw


Pics to follow in a minute...

The Tracker, by Bob McTavish;

The Tracker was the board that bridged the gap between Longboards, and the in-coming shortboard revolution!
The Tracker is sportier than the big Vee's from the Plastic Machine...

Surfing review...
Goes really nice. Volume was probably 2-3 litres less, than I expected, with that deck roll. No problem though!
As a single fin, you want to draw out those turns... Those sharp bottom turns, when you get back up the face, and look for the side biters to give you that thrust, with a quick pump... well that doesn't happen, because the side biters aren't there!

Surf it smooth, and it's no problem. Actually very fast down the line, if you get the bottom turn right...

This board is suited to surfing enthusiasts, and people who can already surf. You could still learn to surf on it too though.

I'm going to be having a hell of a lot of fun on this thing! Can't wait for a fun Bells day now! Overhead Bells...

Pics...

more pics..

Here's my little bag of presents!
Tee, fin, and wax!

WOW thats is nice

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...
1/2 inch solid blonde (obeche) stringer...

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Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...

I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?

Another great contribution to the Room, Simondo. That is a beautiful looking board and a top review. I look forward to your thoughts after you've had it out in some nice, long down-the-line waves at that famous local of yours.
Good on ya.

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DARTH said..

Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...

I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?

Oh that would be the mark of quality

Thanks for that Simondo. Sure looks nice (as does your lawn by the way ). I was surprised that the rail edge is so far back on the board - from lots of the videos I have seen of people surfing them it seems they stand a bit further forward than normal - so would have assumed the edge came in a bit earlier.

How was yr first surf on it? Did you keep your feet planted or move up and downy he board a bit looking for the sweet spot? Will you ride this at the upper limit of your powers or will it before the smaller 6ft days only?

Very nice Simondo.

Lots of deck roll.

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DARTH said..

Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...

I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?

Thought you'd know all about having a black mark next to your name

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SP said..

DARTH said..

Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...

I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?

Thought you'd know all about having a black mark next to your name

the death star is black I spose

The "black dot" on deck... That's the hole that goes through to the fin box. It's an innovation from Bob... You can press your foot on it, and the fin moves back for your cutback... When you come forward, the fin moves forward for more trim / drive...

But for my money, it looks more like an option for a leash loop, tied into the box...

Ted, I'll ride The Tracker when it is Head-High, through to Head-and-a-half...
The Blue Thruster Tracker 9'0 will be for the Double Overhead Days... Too much over Double, and I crap my wetsuit... But I can select a wave to suit...

If Bells is pushing 3x Overhead, Winki would be over 2.5, and Torquay Point would be a comfortable 2+ x Overhead...
Outside Point Impossible would also be about 2x, and inside Point Impossible would only be 1.5x...

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Simondo said..

The "black dot" on deck... That's the hole that goes through to the fin box. It's an innovation from Bob... You can press your foot on it, and the fin moves back for your cutback... When you come forward, the fin moves forward for more trim / drive...

But for my money, it looks more like an option for a leash loop, tied into the box...

To quote Pauline..

Please explain

St first I thought that explanation was an early April Fools story SP

^^ yeah I reckon he has been licking that fresh resin and gone loopy

But hopefully we get a video of it...

its for his iPod

cool board simondo

i've read the book, nearly been converted.

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laceys lane said..

i've read the book, nearly been converted.

Nice board

Looks so clean and nice.....would you put some plugs in for some side biters?

She is a hot blooded girl that one Sim grommet geez Volane looks just so damned good !!!!

It's offshore, and head-high today... Great Tracker Day!
Full tide about now... just getting the body ready, coffee, banana, etc.
Surf the outgoing tide...

Simondo was thinking 8ft max the rest of the dims the same why did you go for 8'6'' too close to the mal size

Asea, I just like to cruise! Feels more like 8'0 anyway, with the fine tail, and kinda thin nose.
I wanted the length, so the board didn't feel like a huge step down from the bigger volume 9'1's and 9'6's...

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Simondo said..
Asea, I just like to cruise! Feels more like 8'0 anyway, with the fine tail, and kinda thin nose.

I wanted the length, so the board didn't feel like a huge step down from the bigger volume 9'1's and 9'6's...

what size do you think i would need as i have been eyeing them off for a while

Asea, I think you could go at least 8'0... 8'3 or 8'6... and x 22 x 3... The rails are trimmed out, and rolled deck, so the volume is reduced...
Depends how much you like volume.

What's you main ride at the moment, and what dims... ?
Or should I say which one of Macaha's discards are you riding!?

Go for 8'0 x 22 x 3...

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Simondo said..
Go for 8'0 x 22 x 3...

^^^^ +1