VISH
VOUCH FISH = VISH
Whether you're looking for a shorter traditional style fish, a mid length version, or one of our longer fishes for gliding, we have something for everyone.
Our shorter, traditional style fishes have been modified and refined since the mid 90's when we were first shaping them under the Bear Surfboards label. This is when I acquired my first keel fin fish and have been hooked ever since on the feeling of riding them ever since. We have a few different versions of our shorter VISH available now, depending on what sort of design the customer is after. There is a very traditional style Steve Lis version, with a wider tail bock and semi beaked nose. These ones are fantastic for people wanting the true fish experience, insane straight line speed and insane drive from the longer based, double foiled keel fins. Next up is our more versatile version, with a super balance planshape and even thickness distribution throughout. This version uses our standard keel fin template, with a single foil and less surface area than the double foiled version, it allows quicker direction changes and a little more of a vertical approach. This version is best for someone looking for a versatile fish for all occasions that's super easy to surf, it's also a perfect travel fish as it will handle the small stuff but also really turn on when the waves get some punch to them. Lastly is our more performance style fish. Still remaining true to the original fish design, this version has some mild tweaks to the outline and rocker to allow quicker direction changes and a much more performance based approach. Slight bump/watered down flyer behind the fin to allow a break in the rail line helping the board to turn on a dime when surfed off the tail, this is also helped by an increase in rail line rocker from the same spot. Deeper concaves within the predominant Vee bottom through the tail help create even more lift when first taking off, more planing speed straight off the bat but also a huge amount of hold from the Vee bottom when on rail, utilising the best parts of both these bottom contours. An increase in the amount of entry rocker helps with keeping the nose from pearling under on later drops and when going a little more vertical whether forehand or backhand. Lastly, the fin template is a slightly reduced version of our single foil keel fin to aid in quicker direction changes and a chance to have a more controlled "skatey" feeling from this design.
Our mid length versions are our absolute pinnacle of working on what makes a fish work best in any type of surf. After 2 decades of riding shorter fishes and whittling them down to their purest, easy to ride form, I became curious on taking those aspects and applying them to a version that was longer/easier to paddle and one that also incorporated a rolled entry that I had been absolutely hooked on from riding Displacement Hulls for the decade before that. We had handshaped probably 6 different versions before Hutcho had shaped one that we knew instantly was "The One". The rolled entry helps the board glide into the wave first, but then also helps the board to grip the wave face as you are bottom turning and climbing back up the face, it's quite an addictive feeling and one which I feel is the most important design aspect of the board. This rolled entry flows down into the same bottom shape that we have on all our shorter fishes, a predominant Vee bottom with a double concave incorporated into the vee between the fins, helping gain instant lift when you first take off but also accessing the insane amount of hold when engaging turns with a Vee bottom. It was apparent from the very first session on this version that we had created something special, and with the amount of happy customers we have had with this design I can safely say that there has been no need to do any updating as it does everything you could ever want and always leaving the water with a smile on your face.
Our longer versions are essentially designed to be a "longboard replacement", meaning if you are sick and tired of riding longboards that are purely designed around noseriding or even HP style longboards, this will be the board for you. I had originally wanted something that had the same rolled entry as our Displacement Hulls to aid in trim speed and really utilising the rise and fall approach that those boards love, but also something that would engage the rail when turning off the back, not just pivot turn. We handshaped probably 3 different versions before I felt we had cracked the code. The first 2 utilised a mix of the rolled entry and concaves placed into the middle and rear of the board, but I felt these concaves offered up too much lift once the board got up to speed and quite often would float off the back of the wave when bottom turning. So we landed on the rolled entry flowing into a very simple rolled Vee through the tail, and this combo offered the best mix of the rise and fall feeling I was after when on the wave, but also the right amount of hold and agility when finally off the tail and engaging the fins with the longer rail line. We utilise the same double foiled keels as our traditional shorter fish, and these work best with offering a lovely "no resistance" feeling then engaging the fins, the water will move fluidly around the fin with minimal cavitation. The main part I love about these longer designs is the trim speed when locked into the front third of the board, it's as fast as any shorter board and the rolled entry just has you gripped to the wave face and will never slide out even riding super high on the face.
So there you have it, 3 different moods for a fish and pretty much a complete quiver if you're looking to really tap into the twin keel realm...
