Splitboard.com Forums

Hey guys!
It is worth to cut out a swallowtail when making DIY board, or what would be alternative for it, smaller cut like a Hovercraft Jones?
How is a swallowtail really help when riding powder?
Ziby

For me cutting a swallowtail in my board was a total game changer. I gained a lot of control over my board and a true surfy feeling in powder.
The down sides are switch riding obviously and pop for ollies, both of which are the last thing on my mind when conditions call for a swallowtail.

IMO every powder board should have a swallow tail, chop it up!

DO IT

Swallowtails are fucking rad, especially on a longer board. Daily driver is a 172 Swallowtail, wouldn't go much shorter than that. If it's fairly short to begin with a smaller swallowtail/halfgun type cut may be more beneficial then a full on swallowtail cut. But yea, powder chargers they are!

Do it... Good idea! could 1 just cut the tail off to get something that rides like a hovercraft shape?

I saw this board on forum : viewtopic.php?f=16&t=12202
is this swallowtail deep enough? or it can be any shape, could be a square? or more like hovercraft?
Thx, Ziby

The hovercraft is not a swallowtail...

I know I do have one, but I am thinking of shape this DIY ride decade I am gonna make a split, is a deep cut swallowtail necessary? what shape is the best?

Guys
Im in the same boat as Snurfer
I would class the hovercraft as a fish style board.
The only advantage in going with a small swallow cut first is that you can then make it bigger.
This is a board I cut



After riding it I went bigger with the swallow



Have a play around and see what you like.
Some ideas are here

Cheers

Personally I would go bigger. My theory is maximum surface area removal while maintaining the full effective edge and not losing too much strength.
I went big and it changed the way I look at boards so much I am now building my own incorporating the same swallowtail design.

Here is my chop job, I wouldn't change a thing.

Thank you very much for advise guys!
Last question: Do I be able to ride a swallowtail board in versatile conditions like a spring time old snow, some times crusty and icy, groomers or just powder?
Thx Ziby

You can ride a swallowtail in any conditions, just not switch but powder is where they excel.

Is a lack of tail clip in Swallowtail not a problem? is a board stay stiff enough?