Forums > Surfing Longboarding

The Tracker by Bob McTavish - a review

Reply
Created by Simondo > 9 months ago, 24 Feb 2014
Ted the Kiwi
NSW, 14256 posts
25 Feb 2014 7:17PM
Thumbs Up

Or b

Select to expand quote
asea said..

Simondo said..
Go for 8'0 x 22 x 3...


^^^^ +1


Or buy yourself a cow - maybe 2 - seems they are going cheap these days.

asea
QLD, 5544 posts
25 Feb 2014 6:30PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Ted the Kiwi said..
Or b
asea said..



Simondo said..

Go for 8'0 x 22 x 3...




^^^^ +1


Or buy yourself a cow - maybe 2 - seems they are going cheap these days.


hmm buy 1 cow fatten it up sell it and get a new board

thePup
13831 posts
25 Feb 2014 4:37PM
Thumbs Up

yeeeeehaaaaaa new board porn

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
25 Feb 2014 7:50PM
Thumbs Up

Here's me talking more about the board...
It is designed to flow and trim!
It's not designed for sharp bottom turns, to set-up for those lip-smacks, etc...
It is designed for longer smoother bottom turns, and it is fast, when you surf it right!

-overview&list=UUYHGoFQO8H4CCE0oRyF9gnw


(spotted gum floor boards, for anyone who is curious!)

thePup
13831 posts
25 Feb 2014 4:55PM
Thumbs Up

mmmmmmm wicked boards Sim Tracker Grom

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
25 Feb 2014 8:01PM
Thumbs Up

Here's some smooth Tracker surfing...
The secret it to keep it nice and smooth!

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
25 Feb 2014 8:09PM
Thumbs Up

^ If you watch the surfing video, you will notice that they do get into waves very easily. Even on those fuller waves, they will still get into it... But you will also notice that they really handle those steep drops, and peaky take-offs... There is even a take-off and straight into the tube...

Big round-house cut-backs... you can see that it isn't carrying stacks of speed at the end... The thrusters are better for a round-house...

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
27 Feb 2014 7:35PM
Thumbs Up

I've been learning more about The Tracker... And the harder edge up the back/tail, on the modern McTavish remakes... it's a new addition... The original versions didn't have the harder "planing" surface right at the back... It's added so that the board is at least a little bit friendlier, compared to the originals.

Some of the later 'original' versions became flatter, and less hulls, less roll on the tail/bottom... But the final part of the tail on the remakes is flattened off a touch more again. But otherwise, the rails, rocker, etc, is very authentic! Just the final tail is tweaked a tiny bit.



--------------------
Custom Trackers - the guys in Byron can do full custom Trackers, with harder modern rails, and can even add side bites... And vice versa, they can make the final part of the tail more traditional, with a bit more roll/hull through to the tail...

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
27 Feb 2014 7:10PM
Thumbs Up

Oh so that's what custom means...you can get something how you want it...BRILLIANT

Macaha
QLD, 21976 posts
27 Feb 2014 9:56PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Simondo said..





--------------------
Custom Trackers - the guys in Byron can do full custom Trackers, with harder modern rails, and can even add side bites... And vice versa, they can make the final part of the tail more traditional, with a bit more roll/hull through to the tail...



Simondo with due respect why the **** would you dick around with a mid 70's design adding side bites wow.The Tracker is a classic I 'd love one to wall hang because I'm no hippy type Don't take this the wrong way mate but leave a classic a classic.

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
28 Feb 2014 9:20AM
Thumbs Up

Macaha, agree, no need to add side biters!
I complete agree - leave a classic, as a classic!

asea
QLD, 5544 posts
28 Feb 2014 8:33AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Simondo said..
Macaha, agree, no need to add side biters!

I complete agree - leave a classic, as a classic!


^^^^^ +1 single fin classic

laceys lane
QLD, 19804 posts
28 Feb 2014 8:35AM
Thumbs Up

if your going to resurrect a 'classic' at least make it a quad simondo

climber
NSW, 1125 posts
28 Feb 2014 1:37PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
laceys lane said..

if your going to resurrect a 'classic' at least make it a quad simondo


If its a quad in resurrection ...does that make it 4 times as good





yes Im board TGIF

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
28 Feb 2014 2:00PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Simondo said...
Macaha, agree, no need to add side biters!
I complete agree - leave a classic, as a classic!




Classics make great wall hangers....leave the past in the in the past where they belongs.

Midget farrelly sums it up nicely...these boards were hard to ride back in the day,now we have so many great shapes....why in the fark would I want to go ride one now for!

laceys lane
QLD, 19804 posts
28 Feb 2014 5:47PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
chrispy said..

Simondo said...
Macaha, agree, no need to add side biters!
I complete agree - leave a classic, as a classic!




Classics make great wall hangers....leave the past in the in the past where they belongs.

Midget farrelly sums it up nicely...these boards were hard to ride back in the day,now we have so many great shapes....why in the fark would I want to go ride one now for!





some people like living in the past because they have no future.


disc. no idea what im talking about- it just sounded good

weiry
QLD, 5396 posts
28 Feb 2014 5:53PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
laceys lane said..

chrispy said..

Simondo said...
Macaha, agree, no need to add side biters!
I complete agree - leave a classic, as a classic!




Classics make great wall hangers....leave the past in the in the past where they belongs.

Midget farrelly sums it up nicely...these boards were hard to ride back in the day,now we have so many great shapes....why in the fark would I want to go ride one now for!





some people like living in the past because they have no future.




i will use that tonight.

also i dont know why

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
28 Feb 2014 7:33PM
Thumbs Up

Funny guys! ^ ^



The thing with the modernised Tracker... They just surf real smooth! (as per video above!)

I find the Tracker suits the way I surf...
Also, Nat Young talks about modern Pinball Surfing...
I personally don't want to smack the lip, do vertical re-entries, redeo-clowns...
And I don't have that ability!

Perhaps the modern Tracker suits my competency!

surfbroker
NSW, 1488 posts
28 Feb 2014 8:37PM
Thumbs Up

Wow Sim...just viewed the speil and..I think that board should be renamed the "Viagra' ..seems to be givin' the boys some excitement

But don't think Bob would like the name

laceys lane
QLD, 19804 posts
28 Feb 2014 8:08PM
Thumbs Up

cruel, but fair

MickPC
8266 posts
28 Feb 2014 6:16PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Simondo said..

Here's some smooth Tracker surfing...
The secret it to keep it nice and smooth!

?rel=0


Met the long haired bloke at Bali East coast last Jan, he was chilling out the back catching set waves on a single fin. Probably the same board maybe.

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
18 Mar 2014 9:01PM
Thumbs Up

Time for an update, on how The Tracker is going!

The Tracker is a real favourite of mine! Surfs so smooth. Fast down the line, once you know what type of bottom turn it likes to do!

I spoke to Dave at McTavish today, and they are doing some semi-gun style Bliebird Pin Tails. Adding length, width, and volume. The Bluebird as a Single Fin is more modern than The Tracker.

Some of you guys might want to think about a larger Bluebird, to help the transition from a Longboard... Handles the juice better than a Longboard...

A 7'10 Bluebird (for example), will give great paddle speed, and glide... A short board for a Longboarder!

Here's a beautiful 6"8...
http://www.mctavish.com.au/surfboards-buy/retro-shortboards/bluebird/bluebird-20214

laceys lane
QLD, 19804 posts
18 Mar 2014 9:13PM
Thumbs Up

not at $1650 simondo- way too dear

smh
NSW, 7269 posts
18 Mar 2014 10:16PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
laceys lane said..

not at $1650 simondo- way too dear


Agree. $1650 for a 6'8 is way too much

thePup
13831 posts
18 Mar 2014 7:37PM
Thumbs Up

Ahhhhhhh but the Geelong SupercatGrom has FBFP (((Frequent Bob Flyer Points))) .... never pays full whack from Bobby

Ted the Kiwi
NSW, 14256 posts
18 Mar 2014 10:48PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
smh said..

laceys lane said..

not at $1650 simondo- way too dear


Agree. $1650 for a 6'8 is way too much


+ 2

I think its time Simondo got himself an RG special

Macaha
QLD, 21976 posts
18 Mar 2014 10:53PM
Thumbs Up

I agree it's a lot of money but it's not some ordinary board

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
18 Mar 2014 11:13PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Macaha said...
I agree it's a lot of money but it's not some ordinary board


What's not ordinary about it? Does it have some brand new revolutionary design features? Or is just a redone retro? Looks like a redone retro
Oh I.see,it is made with the help of the ultra groovy folk from douche.....

Daneli
QLD, 1538 posts
19 Mar 2014 7:51AM
Thumbs Up

From a business perspective, it is not too much money if someone is prepared to pay it.

It just won't be me.

Simondo
VIC, 8024 posts
19 Mar 2014 4:53PM
Thumbs Up

The Tracker - perceived limitations;

Ok, imagine this is a Bells wave, peeling, and bowling along... Through The Bowl...
This is if it is 1.5+ Overhead...

Zones... see pic... (the dots... imagine the wave peeling along! )
1) Gets in early, and you set yourself up for a long smooth bottom turn
2) Come back up the face slowly, and find your speedline...
3) Drive fast down the line - but you can't really "rail pump", with those soft rails... You need to "let the board run", and it will run... If you had a harder edge to drive with, you could probably get a bit more speed in "Zone 3". *
4&5) This is when you can set up for a cut-back... Obviously, the pro's on Thrusters throw enormous Round-House cutties here... etc... The Tracker is better suited to just coming back down the face, and laying into another bottom-turn...
6) Back up the face, set up for speed lines! Such a fun wave!


Zone 3 - (the Trackers are typically bigger than The Bluebird) - an enlarged Bluebird, to suit Longboarders - think Mid-Length Semi-Gun Bluebird... would have a harder rail, and should drive a touch faster through this section...


I hope that makes sense to some of you!
If you have more questions, PM me, and I'll give you my phone number...! Actually, my phone number is on my profile, if you troll through my "board adverts".



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Surfing Longboarding


"The Tracker by Bob McTavish - a review" started by Simondo