Bought a JP Young Gun 55 for my son (most of my boards are JP's). Kids normally want to be just like Dad, but Alex just hasn't taken to it. When the conditions seem suitable for it, I set it up for him, but after a few runs he comes back to shore and wants one of his other boards.
For a while I have wondered why - It has a great outline and perhaps better strap and mastfoot position than some of his Starboards(which are all over the place,no uniformity).




So I looked at the rocker. I have only ever looked at the bottom of boards after I have hit something, so I'm no expert. I compared it to his other boards - they are all much flatter.
Then I compared it to adult wave boards I have - none have as much rocker.



It has 12mm of tail rocker (this seems alot) ,then only a short flat section before the nose rocker starts. I cannot find any stats on this board - some brands give rocker details.

If any one knows more about rocker lines, could you please let me know if:

1. This is a normal rocker line.
2. What is this rocker line designed for?
3. Could this board have somehow slipped through quality control and was not intended to have that much rocker.

Thanks!

no expert either, but here goes..


1. looks normal

2. more rocker = better for cutting through the lumpy stuff....

3. unlikely



maybe; too many cooks spoiling the broth ??

Hey KA360 I believe the Young Gun 55 is more specifically designed as a youth wave board, hence the 12mm rocker line which is in keeping with that of a standard wave board. I think the outline and shape for these boards is derived from the real world wave, just a really small size for small riders, don't quote me on that but I think its right.

Possibly the 111 young gun would have been a bit of a better choice as it offers a more stable and freeride option for the younger rider, whilst still having the footstraps closer together. I think the problem is that this board is a wave performace board rather than something designed for ease of use.

So you get the full picture, the 115 is too big for me - I weigh 26 kg and this is a photo of me jumping a 48 litre board in 12 knots.



I guess the 55 is too big for me as a down the line wave-board and not very likeable in flat water either. So I guess it is designed for older and heavier people who want a pure wave board... If this board had a free ride rocker line it would be better for me.

Man wish I could get going in 12 knots, being 26kg you might just be in that hard spot to find the right board, but had a mate that rode the JP young gun and loved it, but that said he was a bit heavier, could be something that you grow into.

i would think 12mm of tail rocker is about right for a pure wave board. a board with that much rocker will be slower but carve very nicely. when sailing boards with more rocker you need to be a liitle more front foot stance orientated as the flat is further forward.

bump and jump boards normally have between 3-6mm tail rocker and slalom boards are between 1-4 mm tail rocker.

thanks gestalt,thats good info

I guess what Alex and other kids (under 11) need isn't being produced.
The boards that are small enough are pure wave boards and are not great on flat water.

What they need is 50 l freeride-freestyle/wave boards with in and outboard strap option
this type of board would
-be a floater and is easily tackable
-be very versatile and have a large wind range 10-25 knots
-create a strong and powerful stance
-give great confidence as they can use 1 board in many conditions
-fast rocker line for planing through gybes

for windier locations and kids who have mastered the waterstart a 40 l version which would work in 15-35 knots would also be great

For novice under 11 yo a board like the young gun 115/ starboard starsurfer but about 85 l would be far better

In my opinion if the industry produced these boards , 8 year old kids jumping and gybing would be the norm

for 1-15 knots a 60 l freestyle is ideal and is already available.

You may have to go custom Akim to get exactly what you are after, I imagine there wouldn't be a huge market for boards for 26kg riders.

Might be worth taking to Stoney in WA, I'm sure with his sons he would have some experience in building high performance boards for the super light. And his boards look hot.

Maybe try a Nude. They are built light and to your own specifications.

Yeh i reckon the custon option would be the ideal way to go.

Get a nice fast freestyle type board, early planing and with good pop give the little guy the perfect tool for becoming a way to good windsurfer. Make all of us old fellas really feel old.

P.S. just ride what feels good.

AUS2001 keep it up man! Sweet photo!

But what exactly does the board feel like? Too slow? Too slow to get on the plane (feels like its getting sucked back)? Too twitchy? Too stable? Need more of an idea.

Flat rocker = less turning, easier to get on the plane, harder to get off. Stability!
More rocker = sweet sharp turning, twitchy ride, harder to control. Manoeuvrability.

Also notice how the tail is more pointy than the other boards. This means it'll feel really 'locked in' and not as loose to turn. As well the footstraps are right over the centre of the board, this means every little move you make will turn the board sharply, whereas on that starboard with 4 straps there spread out away from the centre line and the movement of your feet has reduced turning but more stability. Also rails have an impact, the sharper the rails the more 'locked in' you'll feel, the softer the looser it'll feel If you go out and windsurf some waves that JP will feel really good, but for flat water it'll suck.

Its really hard to put it down to one thing. The rocker plays its part but so does heaps of other things. I haven't even mentioned the fins or concaves yet! BTW that fin looks ugly, try another one see how you go.

Do some reading on surfboard dimensions and tails, the more you know, the better idea you'll have of what you want:
surfing-waves.com/board/dimensions.htm
www.surfing-waves.com/board/tail_shape.htm
www.surfing-waves.com/board/surfboard1.htm
Some of the ideas aren't transferable from surfing to windsurfing but the basics are there.

Looking at his boards, the Young Gun is the biggest, and I'm thinking that combined with the rocker line, he just finds it too doughy.
Floaty and slow, nothing in it for him.