I've got a few simmons shaped boards (L41 and custom), and though i understand not all simmons or Tomo shaped boards are identical regards their surfing characteristics, was wondering how they generally compare? Anyone out there use/tried both and can make comparisons? I'm just asking to try to pinpoint whether the differences are small...or large? given similar dimensions, does it make sense to have one of each, or is that overlapping too much? is one more stable, faster, etc? or am i trying to compare apples and oranges and each board must be rated on its own merits rather than this general shape comparison?
Should surf pretty much the same. Tomo style will have a bit less swing weight, for better on wave performance - but should be less stable and have less glide when paddling.
I have not surfed the real Tomo Vanguard, but I would say that the original Simmons use a big concave to get control (at the expense of some speed) and help put the board on the rail, plus they have some latency coming into the turns, you bank into the turn more like a plane rather than a skate like modern shortboards, so they tend to keep the speed in turns, something that can be scary if you try to turn a lot in the pocket.
All the modern designs (like the L41, Deep, Tomos, ...) try to keep the qualities - early planing, speed, and control at speed (no squirelling) - of Simmons while blending in the looseness, spontaneity and vertical surfing in the pocket of modern designs. Every shaper has its own cocktail recipe to get what they think is a good compromise.
Basically, you can pump a modern design in turns like a shortboard, but not the Simmons.
