Wednesday, February 6, 2013

New Axis Noserider for Andy

 













8 comments:

  1. Love the blank what are the #s and theory behind the tail.

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  2. hey nate, this shape is a modern traditional interpretation from a design called the "Rick UFO" from the 60's. I've always like the shape aesthetically but didn't care for how the board rode. My interpretation is an improved version of the older ones. A resto rod if you will. :)

    The unique scoop tail allows the bottom stringer rocker to be low for drive, the scooped tail creates a higher rail rocker than the stringer rocker, this enhances noseriding and turning/pivoting.

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  3. Wayne, can you elaborate on what it was that you didn't like in the original UFO design?

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    1. Mike, The originals were ahead of their times, they had a special look and the overall foil was super contemporary. They were beautiful, but the down fall were they didn't ride as well they looked.

      Design wise the outlines were abit too parallel for the type of rocker and the bottoms had slightly too much roll especially where the dished out tail which made the board stick and were difficult to break a line.

      The Axis is a contemporary take on the original Rick UFO but the outline has more curve and hips. The overall rocker is much flatter than the originals and less roll, thinner foiled rails, less roll and rail kick in the tail.

      When Rick Stoners son Jeff revamped the Rick line, I worked with Jeff and did the first original reproductions. It was right when I was starting my retail shops (Vanguard Surf Culture) and my ordeal with my Ulnar nerve started to go out. That's when Jeff subbed Matt Calvani when he was at Phil Beckers factory to shape them.

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  4. Wayne, thanks for the mini-lesson! I've seen the Rick model referenced on Becker's site, but didn't know the story. You've shaped another beautiful board and I'm sure it will ride as good as it looks

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    1. IMO, Design wise The modern Becker UFO has no connection to the original 60s version. Phil may have used portions of the original template but the template, dimensions, foil, rockers, tail, glass, etc.. have evolved to a convoluted point that the designs really aren't really similar to the original.

      The Axis is more aligned to the original in terms of style points but the design is modernized in a traditional flavor, with out the hang up of the original versions.

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