Bourton Shapes "THE STANDARD QUAD"

< Back to Bourton Home Page

By Murray Bourton
	Planshape | Rocker | Bottom Shape | Fins | Tails and Rails | Summary

Introducing "The Standard Quad"

Standard Quad with FCS H2 Fins

With all the success I have had with my Hybrid quad fins I have been encouraged to get involved with a more standard board with 4 fins. Now I am confident with fin positions I think I can add new dimensions to the desire for more speed and looseness which seems to be everybody’s Holy Grail.

I have decided to include a channel bottom quad as well to give those power junkies a little more to push off.

PLANSHAPE

Bourton Standard Quad

Because the quads evolved from the twinny family and are easier to turn than singles and thrusters, the planshape can be more area forward with a straighter plan through the back half which gives it even more

run and holding in tight situations and with no loss of looseness because it is a quad. The widths are a little wider than normal but it depends on the size of the surf intended. These samples are aimed at 3 to 6 ft waves.

ROCKER

Perhaps due to the loose fin set up the tail rocker can be reduced somewhat which will give you extra run and drive without sacrificing the short arc.

BOTTOM SHAPE

I have found the con vee works a treat with the quad, as the vee gives the twitch, and the concave the run. Add to that having 2 fins on the rail driving the board you can afford a vee even if there is a loss of punch. Being able to pump the board from rail to rail quickly also makes up for the lack of concave under the back foot.

Bourton Standard Quad with channels and centre fin

FINS

The choice of fins is a personal thing but the positions they are set will dictate the sizes used. As with the thruster the cluster of the front and back fins will decide on pivot or reach. Myself I like to cluster up and use bigger fins that way you get more turns in and the bigger fin’s surface area keeps the speed up. The H2’s used in this pic lean out a lot more than most fins and also encourage quicker rail to rail exchanges.

Standard Quad - Fin set up and channels

TAILS AND RAILS

Again a personal thing, but swallows are my call because they help steady the tail at high speeds in the absence of a centre fin. Bulking the rail up a little more since the board will go on rail easier than a tri fin is smart coz you will get more drive as well.

SUMMARY

The quad is not necessarily a small wave board in fact it has been used in Tow boards in Hawaii and also normal big wave guns. I just returned from Bali where I got barrelled off my nut on a 6'8 quad semi gun at Padang Padang. I think it’s the speed and ease on rail that is their strong point. Late drops on rail with no fin slide can make a hell man out of any Joe Average.

Back to Bourton Shapes Home Page | To talk to Murray Bourton about your new Bourton shape click here to send him an email.