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Forums > Surfing Longboarding

The Tracker by Bob McTavish - a review

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Created by Simondo > 9 months ago, 24 Feb 2014
Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
24 Feb 2014 5:00PM
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Hi guys, we don't keep secrets around here, and most of you know I waiting for a Tracker to arrive!
Express delivery from Byron Bay to Torquay takes about 3-4 days.

She arrived in one piece... I've had 100% success rate from McTavish. They wrap the boards really well. I was speaking to Dave at the factory, and he was having a cruisey day, wrapping 3 boards today... 1 for Japan, 1 for Wales, and 1 for Guernsey (UK Channel Islands!).

Anyway, here 2 videos...



I was a bit rushed, salivating about getting this board into the water!
So here you go...
-overview

This one shows the deck roll...
-overview&list=UUYHGoFQO8H4CCE0oRyF9gnw


Pics to follow in a minute...

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
24 Feb 2014 5:04PM
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The Tracker, by Bob McTavish;

The Tracker was the board that bridged the gap between Longboards, and the in-coming shortboard revolution!
The Tracker is sportier than the big Vee's from the Plastic Machine...

Surfing review...
Goes really nice. Volume was probably 2-3 litres less, than I expected, with that deck roll. No problem though!
As a single fin, you want to draw out those turns... Those sharp bottom turns, when you get back up the face, and look for the side biters to give you that thrust, with a quick pump... well that doesn't happen, because the side biters aren't there!

Surf it smooth, and it's no problem. Actually very fast down the line, if you get the bottom turn right...

This board is suited to surfing enthusiasts, and people who can already surf. You could still learn to surf on it too though.

I'm going to be having a hell of a lot of fun on this thing! Can't wait for a fun Bells day now! Overhead Bells...

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
24 Feb 2014 5:05PM
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Pics...












Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
24 Feb 2014 5:34PM
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more pics..

Here's my little bag of presents!
Tee, fin, and wax!























DARTH
WA, 3028 posts
24 Feb 2014 2:41PM
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WOW thats is nice

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
24 Feb 2014 6:03PM
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Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...
1/2 inch solid blonde (obeche) stringer...

DARTH
WA, 3028 posts
24 Feb 2014 3:10PM
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Select to expand quote
Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...


I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?

wavelength
1195 posts
24 Feb 2014 3:42PM
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Another great contribution to the Room, Simondo. That is a beautiful looking board and a top review. I look forward to your thoughts after you've had it out in some nice, long down-the-line waves at that famous local of yours.
Good on ya.

Macaha
QLD, 21949 posts
24 Feb 2014 5:58PM
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Select to expand quote
DARTH said..

Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...


I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?


Oh that would be the mark of quality

Ted the Kiwi
NSW, 14256 posts
24 Feb 2014 7:04PM
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Thanks for that Simondo. Sure looks nice (as does your lawn by the way ). I was surprised that the rail edge is so far back on the board - from lots of the videos I have seen of people surfing them it seems they stand a bit further forward than normal - so would have assumed the edge came in a bit earlier.

How was yr first surf on it? Did you keep your feet planted or move up and downy he board a bit looking for the sweet spot? Will you ride this at the upper limit of your powers or will it before the smaller 6ft days only?

SP
10980 posts
24 Feb 2014 4:21PM
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Very nice Simondo.

Lots of deck roll.

SP
10980 posts
24 Feb 2014 4:42PM
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Select to expand quote
DARTH said..

Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...


I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?



Thought you'd know all about having a black mark next to your name

DARTH
WA, 3028 posts
24 Feb 2014 4:58PM
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Select to expand quote
SP said..

DARTH said..

Simondo said..

Thanks Darth!

And;
The fin is green... Dave said they usually put green fins in The Tracker...


I gotta ask, what is the black dot on the deck above the fin?



Thought you'd know all about having a black mark next to your name


the death star is black I spose

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
24 Feb 2014 8:00PM
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The "black dot" on deck... That's the hole that goes through to the fin box. It's an innovation from Bob... You can press your foot on it, and the fin moves back for your cutback... When you come forward, the fin moves forward for more trim / drive...

But for my money, it looks more like an option for a leash loop, tied into the box...

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
24 Feb 2014 8:06PM
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Ted, I'll ride The Tracker when it is Head-High, through to Head-and-a-half...
The Blue Thruster Tracker 9'0 will be for the Double Overhead Days... Too much over Double, and I crap my wetsuit... But I can select a wave to suit...

If Bells is pushing 3x Overhead, Winki would be over 2.5, and Torquay Point would be a comfortable 2+ x Overhead...
Outside Point Impossible would also be about 2x, and inside Point Impossible would only be 1.5x...

SP
10980 posts
24 Feb 2014 5:07PM
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Select to expand quote
Simondo said..

The "black dot" on deck... That's the hole that goes through to the fin box. It's an innovation from Bob... You can press your foot on it, and the fin moves back for your cutback... When you come forward, the fin moves forward for more trim / drive...

But for my money, it looks more like an option for a leash loop, tied into the box...


To quote Pauline..

Please explain

Ted the Kiwi
NSW, 14256 posts
24 Feb 2014 8:36PM
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St first I thought that explanation was an early April Fools story SP

SP
10980 posts
24 Feb 2014 6:04PM
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^^ yeah I reckon he has been licking that fresh resin and gone loopy

But hopefully we get a video of it...

weiry
QLD, 5396 posts
24 Feb 2014 8:05PM
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its for his iPod

cool board simondo

laceys lane
QLD, 19803 posts
24 Feb 2014 8:39PM
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i've read the book, nearly been converted.









smh
NSW, 7269 posts
24 Feb 2014 10:22PM
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Select to expand quote
laceys lane said..

i've read the book, nearly been converted.











smh
NSW, 7269 posts
24 Feb 2014 10:22PM
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Nice board

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
24 Feb 2014 10:13PM
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Looks so clean and nice.....would you put some plugs in for some side biters?

thePup
13831 posts
25 Feb 2014 4:57AM
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She is a hot blooded girl that one Sim grommet geez Volane looks just so damned good !!!!

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
25 Feb 2014 9:28AM
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It's offshore, and head-high today... Great Tracker Day!
Full tide about now... just getting the body ready, coffee, banana, etc.
Surf the outgoing tide...

asea
QLD, 5544 posts
25 Feb 2014 4:51PM
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Simondo was thinking 8ft max the rest of the dims the same why did you go for 8'6'' too close to the mal size

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
25 Feb 2014 6:35PM
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Asea, I just like to cruise! Feels more like 8'0 anyway, with the fine tail, and kinda thin nose.
I wanted the length, so the board didn't feel like a huge step down from the bigger volume 9'1's and 9'6's...

asea
QLD, 5544 posts
25 Feb 2014 5:37PM
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Select to expand quote
Simondo said..
Asea, I just like to cruise! Feels more like 8'0 anyway, with the fine tail, and kinda thin nose.

I wanted the length, so the board didn't feel like a huge step down from the bigger volume 9'1's and 9'6's...


what size do you think i would need as i have been eyeing them off for a while

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
25 Feb 2014 6:47PM
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Asea, I think you could go at least 8'0... 8'3 or 8'6... and x 22 x 3... The rails are trimmed out, and rolled deck, so the volume is reduced...
Depends how much you like volume.

What's you main ride at the moment, and what dims... ?
Or should I say which one of Macaha's discards are you riding!?

Simondo
VIC, 8020 posts
25 Feb 2014 6:49PM
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Go for 8'0 x 22 x 3...

asea
QLD, 5544 posts
25 Feb 2014 6:14PM
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Select to expand quote
Simondo said..
Go for 8'0 x 22 x 3...


^^^^ +1



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