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The Rusty Zeppelin was originally developed as an all-around performance board for larger surfers, but with recent refinements, it now appeals to a broader audience seeking smooth performance and clean flow across a wide range of conditions. While it retains a full outline and user-friendly volume, Rusty has trimmed down the stock dimensions, improving responsiveness while maintaining the board’s core strengths.
The balanced round tail, generous nose and tail width (approximately 15"), and wide point set slightly forwardcontribute to excellent paddle power and early wave entry. These design cues, paired with a slightly below-average nose rocker and a semi-aggressive tail rocker, create a board that paddles easily but still turns tighter than expected, especially for its size.
On the bottom, the Zeppelin features a flat entry with a slight break, flattening out through the center, then flowing into a slightly concave vee (about 0.25”), deepest about 2 feet up from the tail. This contour gradually transitions into a slight vee out the tail, offering a ride that’s smooth, clean, and fluid rail-to-rail.
The forward-shifted volume improves glide and stability while allowing the tail to stay free and engaged during turns. The result is a versatile mid-to-large volume shortboard that excels in everything from soft beach breaks to punchy points.
Pros:
Balanced outline and volume offer excellent paddle power and flow.
Semi-aggressive tail rocker adds turning capability despite generous volume.
Forward volume and widepoint help with early entry and trim.
Clean, slightly vee’d bottom provides a smooth, rail-sensitive ride.
Recently downsized stock dims add performance without sacrificing accessibility.
Custom sizing available for those who need tailored specs.
Cons:
Still carries more foam than a high-performance shortboard—may feel big under advanced feet in critical surf.
Not designed for extremely vertical or ultra-tight pocket surfing.
Summary:
The Rusty Zeppelin is a clean, smooth-riding all-around board with surprising agility for its size. Designed originally with larger surfers in mind, its updated dimensions and smart bottom contours make it a great daily driver for surfers seeking a blend of paddle ease, fluid rail transitions, and dependable turning ability. With its wide range and mellow personality, the Zeppelin is a go-to board for anyone looking to cruise through a variety of surf with grace and control.
