Just picked up a used takayama scorpion! Has option for quad set up and spot for center fin. I've never had so many fin options. I was wondering what you all recommend for set ups in different conditions. Right now I juet have it set up as a quad but would like to try some different setups. 2+1, single fin only, twin? Thanks!
I've always been intrigued with the board and have a semi-finished one-off i've been working on finishing. Let me know how it rides when you get it figured out.
I've kind of admired that shape for a long time, and for exactly that reason. It just LOOKS like a shape that would paddle in to waves SO early and easily with that wide nose, and then with that pulled in tail let you hang on the face right in the pocket.
I have a quad with single box also. 5'7 20 2 5/8. Tried quad and 2+1. Generally speaking the front side fins on a 2+1 are a little further up than normal so as a quad the cluster is a little off/forward. I recently put a 5.5 rainbow in the center box and the 2 larger bonzer fins as the front sides. I need some more time with it to have a more in depth review, but initially it's felt pretty great. Lots of lift and speed with more of a pivot feel than the quad.
nice used find. at $900 for a P/U version the thing better rip! the other option is a Surftech, and that would probably feel like a coffee table under your feet. you're all right tho...that shape will get you in way early and lock you in the barrel...with a quad setup, that's a barrel machine. as a single fin or a 2+1, that's a carving/barrel machine. i have a locally shaped single fin with almost the same outline (blunt nosed tapering into a pintail), and it does exactly what it looks like it should. it paddles easily, catches waves early, and literally locks you into the tube. it shines in GOOD hollow waves. it's not a groveler at all. i've seen a few vids of guys riding the Scorpion in sh** waves, and I don't think that's what it's designed for. it's too sexy of an outline to be a groveler.
Unfortunately it is the surftech version.... I had been looking at them for a while and couldn't say no when it popped up on Craig's list. Figured it would be a good way to try out the shape before dropping the cash on a better one. Took it out yesterday in thigh to waist and had a lot of fun! Its shorter than anything I've ridden in a long time so there will definitely be a learning curve for me. Can't wait to get it on some open faces and rip some turns! So far it feels light and fast. Glad I bought it. Will have to try a 2+1 set up soon.
I've got a 6'8 Surftech one. I've tried it with each fin set up. From my experience, it works best as a tri. I picked up a FCS fin that is the same as an PC5 but fits in a box (http://www.essencesurf.com/fcs-pc-5-longboard-center-1-fin/. That seems to work well. Also works good as a quad but has that lack of centered feeling which is strange on board with so much volume. However on a mushy wave or high tide it goes really fast. I wanted to like it as a single but it lacks drive and feels kinda slow. I actually don't ride mine much anymore and was thinking of selling in the spring. Perhaps if I had a real poly version I'd like it better but it's too in between for me. The lack of weight effects the glide I would like from it and it has a really wide nose and parallel rails and then a very pinned out pin tail that makes it a little strange to ride.
I have what is basically a copy of a 6'8" scorpion from a local shaper and run a 7" greenough 4a. Works awesome in knee high mush or head high and barrelling. I also have a quad set but haven't tried it yet.
