Simmons Planing Hull

[scottnorby]

I am wondering if anyone with experience has kited with a planing hull--- Bob Simmons style hull.

And if so, what was your experience and what size hull?
Light wind?

[BWD]

I have used a board with a "modern mini-simmons" outline (i.e. simmons with hips) to good effect for light wind. Quickly became my light wind go-to before I started foiling.
I might have told you about that previously.
It's 5'x22" with rocker only about 3" and tailblock pulled in to about 12.5" and a slight concave ~1/8" into vee out the back and runs split keel quads with the rears set in from the rail a bit.
The vee, fin placement and hips make the board more fun and practical in my opinion.
Rails are 60/40 from nose to cluster, down and moderately hard out the back.
I talked to Trip Foreman of REAL watersports awhile back about a simmons for kiting and he said it would be a disaster. In terms of a "real" simmons (not REAL ) he might be right, with the rolled belly forward, typical rails profile and concave to the rear. But I never tried one.
I really think you need to have the tail pulled in and bottom shape that suits kiting if you want good simmons variant.
And once you start popping over chop, some flex and a foam deck would be very nice, as I'm sure you know.
All that width is great for low end and compact length, but it can beat your legs in chop until you master it. And then it can still tire you a bit quicker.

[TomW]

Get an Tomo Evo

[BWD]

me, norby or everyone?
it's a great shape and I may fake one for my next project.
Your versions are sweet. I want one with paddle volume and foil convertible, but I may be too large and inept for this to work well...

[bigtone667]

I have a mini-simmons outline, essentially it looks like a half circle at the front and parallel lines down the side to a square end. 22 inches wide, 5'2" long, has a huge concave with two BIG long fins. Works a treat as a light wind board and goes well in little waves. I have also ridden it with little TT fins and it feels like a chunky skim board.

It was my light wind go to until I started foiling.

[Bushflyr]

Basically everyone. Just look up threads for the Tomo Vanguard, Vader, and Evo. All are derived from Simmons' ideas/designs. And they work great.

[BWD]

..

[magnusod]

I am wondering if anyone with experience has kited with a planing hull--- Bob Simmons style hull.

And if so, what was your experience and what size hull?
Light wind?

I haven't used them but a friend of me has and he reckons they are good in light wind. Don't know if you can order them to the US but Gong has a kiteboard Matata which is based on that design concept http://gongsupshop.com/epages/box1707.s ... 0Boards%22

[scottnorby]

Thanks for the feedback.
I am aware of the Tomo inspired hulls...and modern hulls inspired by Simmons designs.
So many boards are Simmons inspired.

I have tried a few of those----but I have never tried kiting a true simmons with volume in the rails---50/50 rails etc.
Strictly curious about the potential for sizing up a traditional simmons for extremely light wind riding.

I have seen 7 foot versions being used as stand up boards and Gong has made a standup simmons also.

Bigtone667---Interesting you rode one with twin tip fins --- full volume rails?

And yes BWD I was thinking that the softer deck and more animated flex will allow it to handle chop much better.

Hoping to find a cad file someone has made of a nice simmons shape---not just inspired but closer to replication of his originals....to start from there.

[BWD]

@ Norby
I think it’s a great idea and not far from some soft boards you used to post in pictures/videos
Simmons greenough tomo cole etc., so many good designs around a higher aspect ratio planing surface....