Forums > Windsurfing General

twin fins

Reply
Created by pirrad > 9 months ago, 20 Jul 2015
pirrad
SA, 850 posts
20 Jul 2015 9:47PM
Thumbs Up

Done some searching in the classifieds looking for a set of twin fins for my 82ltr RRD twin fin. The board came with a pair of 16.5's but I am having trouble keeping the board tracking in a straight line, the tail just wants to go sideways when I go to lean back and power it up. Its ok if I sail it in a more defensive upright stance but there's no fun in that. I had myself convinced it was mainly technique that was the issue but after a fair amount of experimenting with the obvious, boom height, mast track and fin position etc, i'm not so sure. I've just picked up a 85 ltr F2 Gorilla single fin and have a 24cm fin in that and have no similar problems with that board.
I weigh 90+ kgs and use the board with a 5.4 in 17-20+ or a 4.7 in 23+knts, bump and jump.
So several questions, what size would the twin fin gurus recommend to go up to and does any one have anything for sale the may suit my requirements?

R1DER
WA, 1455 posts
20 Jul 2015 8:45PM
Thumbs Up

I used twin fin boards from 2006 to 2011 at one stage I was 92 kg and I used 17 cm fins with 5.7 and 6.2m sails, yes I have a set this size I can sell pm me.
If its not your technique it may me the quality of your fins eg scratched and damaged or a poor foil on the fins, can you post a pic of your fins.have you tried the fins as far back as possible and rear footstrap as far forward as possible. I've tried the rrd board and its a great board that tracks well.

Spocktek
WA, 281 posts
20 Jul 2015 9:15PM
Thumbs Up

For bump 'n jump action ya don't want a twinzer. A single fin freestyle wave or even a detuned slalom board would be best.
Especially at 90 kgs, you want something fast that you can load the fin up with. A twin will slide out once you close the gap every time as there not designed for fanging around on.
Look for a 110 litreish freeride singlefin. Get a strong one and jump the tits off it!!

pirrad
SA, 850 posts
20 Jul 2015 10:59PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Spocktek said..
For bump 'n jump action ya don't want a twinzer. A single fin freestyle wave or even a detuned slalom board would be best.
Especially at 90 kgs, you want something fast that you can load the fin up with. A twin will slide out once you close the gap every time as there not designed for fanging around on.
Look for a 110 litreish freeride singlefin. Get a strong one and jump the tits off it!!



My other boards are 90ltr starboard carve and 108 fanatic hawk, both to big for 4.7 , the f2 , only sailed it twice in 20+ works well, just thinking fins are the issue with the rrd which according to reviews is a ok board for bump and jump type sailing.

Ryder. Rear strap is in forward position and have tried fins in rear most position.

pirrad
SA, 850 posts
20 Jul 2015 11:09PM
Thumbs Up




Mark _australia
WA, 22090 posts
20 Jul 2015 9:39PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
pirrad said..


Spocktek said..
For bump 'n jump action ya don't want a twinzer. A single fin freestyle wave or even a detuned slalom board would be best.
Especially at 90 kgs, you want something fast that you can load the fin up with. A twin will slide out once you close the gap every time as there not designed for fanging around on.
Look for a 110 litreish freeride singlefin. Get a strong one and jump the tits off it!!




My other boards are 90ltr starboard carve and 108 fanatic hawk, both to big for 4.7 , the f2 , only sailed it twice in 20+ works well, just thinking fins are the issue with the rrd which according to reviews is a ok board for bump and jump type sailing.




They mean OK compared to the other waveboards on test.

It will still be a handful in a straight line when well powered as it wants to be on a wave.

If you buy bigger ones from Rider5 I'd buy those 16.5's from u

Spocktek
WA, 281 posts
20 Jul 2015 9:40PM
Thumbs Up

I reckon your sail choice might be too small, at 90+ kgs your the same as me, and for b/j style sailing in 20+ knots I'd use a 6.0 and a 110 litre.
Try a bigger sail on you're bigger boards, put the mast track back n see how you go.
Save the twin for wavesailing.

R1DER
WA, 1455 posts
20 Jul 2015 9:51PM
Thumbs Up

Your current fins look ok, I agree try bigger fins if it still happens then it sailor error.

Bertie
NSW, 1351 posts
21 Jul 2015 12:13AM
Thumbs Up

move your harness lines back 50mm. all will be solved!

u need a light pressure in the front hand. too much back hand pressure will stop u going forwards.

pirrad
SA, 850 posts
20 Jul 2015 11:45PM
Thumbs Up

What works best for me.
108 ltr fanatic hawk 6.4 (biggest sail) 13-18 kn sweet spot 14-16
99 ltr starboard carve 5.4 15-20 kn sweet spot 16-18
82rrd 85 Gorilla 4.7 20-25+kn sweet spot 22-24
Obviously there's crossover options there like the 5.4 on the smaller 2 boards 17-20+ sweet spot 18-21
The last 12 months of my sailing has seen a transition from bigger board sail options to wanting to be on as small a board as I can possibly get plaining on in the given conditions.

pirrad
SA, 850 posts
20 Jul 2015 11:47PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Bertie said..
move your harness lines back 50mm. all will be solved!

u need a light pressure in the front hand. too much back hand pressure will stop u going forwards.


Next time out, thanks.

Zachery
597 posts
21 Jul 2015 8:01AM
Thumbs Up

Twins will slide out when loaded thats why so many people went to quads, bfore u buy bigger fins try concentrating on driving the board forward with your front leg and as little pressure on your back leg as possible, def a real technique to it for small fins which then allow the looseness on a wave, not really a b & j board in my opinion as much slower than a single and board designed to be on a wave, good luck!!

legless
WA, 852 posts
21 Jul 2015 10:07AM
Thumbs Up

Strath Windsurfing Shop has Simmer Us box fins in stock. If you buy in store you get 25% off 15% off if posted out. BlackTip 17cm US box $75.00 for 2 $150 Simmer Wave 20 Us box with 25% 0ff $90.00 for 2 $180.

R1DER
WA, 1455 posts
21 Jul 2015 8:36PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
R1DER said..
I used twin fin boards from 2006 to 2011 at one stage I was 92 kg and I used 17 cm fins with 5.7 and 6.2m sails, yes I have a set this size I can sell pm me.
If its not your technique it may me the quality of your fins eg scratched and damaged or a poor foil on the fins, can you post a pic of your fins.have you tried the fins as far back as possible and rear footstrap as far forward as possible. I've tried the rrd board and its a great board that tracks well.


Sorry fins have sold, you snooze you loose

Mark _australia
WA, 22090 posts
21 Jul 2015 9:30PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
legless said..
Strath Windsurfing Shop has Simmer Us box fins in stock. If you buy in store you get 25% off 15% off if posted out. BlackTip 17cm US box $75.00 for 2 $150 Simmer Wave 20 Us box with 25% 0ff $90.00 for 2 $180.


They must be good if they make a twin into a flatwater B&J board.


pirrad
SA, 850 posts
21 Jul 2015 11:01PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
legless said..
Strath Windsurfing Shop has Simmer Us box fins in stock. If you buy in store you get 25% off 15% off if posted out. BlackTip 17cm US box $75.00 for 2 $150 Simmer Wave 20 Us box with 25% 0ff $90.00 for 2 $180.


thanks , but to much of a tight arse to spend $180 on fins for a board that only cost me $100. Would like to get hold of some 20s and try one day, will keep experimenting with technique and setup in the mean time. The $20 F2 will be the go to small board for a guaranteed blast.

Mastbender
1972 posts
22 Jul 2015 3:57AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Zachery said..
Twins will slide out when loaded thats why so many people went to quads, bfore u buy bigger fins try concentrating on driving the board forward with your front leg and as little pressure on your back leg as possible, def a real technique to it for small fins which then allow the looseness on a wave, not really a b & j board in my opinion as much slower than a single and board designed to be on a wave, good luck!!



Agree 100%, twinzers are wave boards, designed for hanging out in the wave zone only, not really designed for speed or open ocean sailing.

legless
WA, 852 posts
22 Jul 2015 6:31AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Mark _australia said..

legless said..
Strath Windsurfing Shop has Simmer Us box fins in stock. If you buy in store you get 25% off 15% off if posted out. BlackTip 17cm US box $75.00 for 2 $150 Simmer Wave 20 Us box with 25% 0ff $90.00 for 2 $180.



They must be good if they make a twin into a flatwater B&J board.




Mark I have been sailing twin fin boards as flat water bump and jump boards for 10 years admittedly the boards were designed for that. Personally I feel a twin fin setup is the best for a bump and jump board. The lack of grip associated with a wave twin is cause by the reduced size of fin they can be sailed with the board increase the size and thickness of the fins and you increase the grip and lift. The other great thing about twin fins as bump and jump boards is they don't spin out and if they do they self correct 99%of the time. I am sure a twin fin speed board work work well for shallow water weedy spots.

jh2703
NSW, 1222 posts
22 Jul 2015 9:31AM
Thumbs Up

I use my quad as a twin fin bump and jump board all the time and it's perfect for the conditions I sail in. Here's my 98 cube with twin Makani 17cm weedies, I've used this board in 35+ knots with a 4.7 and it's sweet. The 17s work just as well in my 110 with a 5.7, Huge amounts of grip...I've never spun out. It's possible the swept back nature of the weed fins give more grip??




Al Planet
TAS, 1546 posts
22 Jul 2015 11:44AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
pirrad said..
Done some searching in the classifieds looking for a set of twin fins for my 82ltr RRD twin fin. The board came with a pair of 16.5's but I am having trouble keeping the board tracking in a straight line, the tail just wants to go sideways when I go to lean back and power it up. Its ok if I sail it in a more defensive upright stance but there's no fun in that. I had myself convinced it was mainly technique that was the issue but after a fair amount of experimenting with the obvious, boom height, mast track and fin position etc, i'm not so sure. I've just picked up a 85 ltr F2 Gorilla single fin and have a 24cm fin in that and have no similar problems with that board.
I weigh 90+ kgs and use the board with a 5.4 in 17-20+ or a 4.7 in 23+knts, bump and jump.
So several questions, what size would the twin fin gurus recommend to go up to and does any one have anything for sale the may suit my requirements?


I have never sailed that RRD, most of my sailing has been on a Koster Kode 77(set up as a twin) and the Starboard Quad (set up as a Twin). I don't think of the more upright stance as a defensive position because you are in a better position to change direction while blasting out and take advantage of any steeper sections that might occur. I guess that the line out through the waves tends to be more off the wind but that it just the way Quads and twins should be sailed IMHO, I imagine that trifin set-ups would be great in those locations where staying up wind is important.

Mastbender
1972 posts
22 Jul 2015 10:31AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Mastbender said..


Zachery said..
Twins will slide out when loaded thats why so many people went to quads, bfore u buy bigger fins try concentrating on driving the board forward with your front leg and as little pressure on your back leg as possible, def a real technique to it for small fins which then allow the looseness on a wave, not really a b & j board in my opinion as much slower than a single and board designed to be on a wave, good luck!!





Agree 100%, twinzers are wave boards, designed for hanging out in the wave zone only, not really designed for speed or open ocean sailing.



Okay I'll revise my comment,,,,, somewhat. What I said is true, as you get them from the manufacturer, and converting them into a B&J board is possible, but it will cost you more by buying new fins that weren't originally designed to be supplied with that board.

legless
WA, 852 posts
22 Jul 2015 1:43PM
Thumbs Up


What are the red thumbs for????? There are some very sad people here. Why red thumb someone for using a fin configuration in a different way than you expect it to be used in!!!!! People need to open there eyes and not be so blinkered in there windsurfing beliefs.

Twin fin boards are not just wave boards though some people really like them for wave boards.

Hifly used to make a range of freeride and freestyle Twin fin boards F2 still make a range of twin fin free ride boards www.f2.com/surf/boards.php?L=&da=1253&dk=46&db=13&name=VEGAS TWIN FIN

My first fun board in the early eighties was a Mistral Take off.......a Twin fin. The first board I jumped.

There is nothing wrong with using a Twin fin set up for freeride bump and jump.......... it is my first choice. If I decided to go back in the waves I would also use a Twin fin.

Plainview
WA, 175 posts
22 Jul 2015 5:08PM
Thumbs Up

I have a ~3 year old Evo 86L that can be run as a twin or single but I only ever run it as a twin, with Maui Ultra X-twin fins (very good), whether in waves, B&J or even on the river - it works great as a twin in all conditions. BUT.. my NuEvo 110 (twin only) really only works as a wave board - even after I switched the fins to larger Maui Ultra X-twins it is still not much fun in a straight line - that's fine - it is after all a wave board and that encourages me to stay in the waves and not get lazy blazing straight lines everywhere. Different boards, different uses, both great fun. And +1 for experimenting.

Mark _australia
WA, 22090 posts
22 Jul 2015 6:42PM
Thumbs Up

legless said..

What are the red thumbs for????? There are some very sad people here. Why red thumb someone for using a fin configuration in a different way than you expect it to be used in!!!!! People need to open there eyes and not be so blinkered in there windsurfing beliefs.

Twin fin boards are not just wave boards though some people really like them for wave boards.

Hifly used to make a range of freeride and freestyle Twin fin boards F2 still make a range of twin fin free ride boards www.f2.com/surf/boards.php?L=&da=1253&dk=46&db=13&name=VEGAS TWIN FIN

My first fun board in the early eighties was a Mistral Take off.......a Twin fin. The first board I jumped.

There is nothing wrong with using a Twin fin set up for freeride bump and jump.......... it is my first choice. If I decided to go back in the waves I would also use a Twin fin.


Agreed.
But the o.p is not using a twin fin freewide or FSW
He is asking if a twin fin waveboard can be tamed to track straight and really for most of the time the answer is no, you can make it a bit better but it won't be a FSW or slalom board in feel when going flat out in rough stuff
IMHO

legless
WA, 852 posts
22 Jul 2015 7:23PM
Thumbs Up

Mark _australia said..

legless said..

What are the red thumbs for????? There are some very sad people here. Why red thumb someone for using a fin configuration in a different way than you expect it to be used in!!!!! People need to open there eyes and not be so blinkered in there windsurfing beliefs.

Twin fin boards are not just wave boards though some people really like them for wave boards.

Hifly used to make a range of freeride and freestyle Twin fin boards F2 still make a range of twin fin free ride boards www.f2.com/surf/boards.php?L=&da=1253&dk=46&db=13&name=VEGAS TWIN FIN

My first fun board in the early eighties was a Mistral Take off.......a Twin fin. The first board I jumped.

There is nothing wrong with using a Twin fin set up for freeride bump and jump.......... it is my first choice. If I decided to go back in the waves I would also use a Twin fin.



Agreed.
But the o.p is not using a twin fin freewide or FSW
He is asking if a twin fin waveboard can be tamed to track straight and really for most of the time the answer is no, you can make it a bit better but it won't be a FSW or slalom board in feel when going flat out in rough stuff
IMHO


The issue here is fin size and style for use. 16.5 twin fins on that board are to small for it to be used as a bump and jump board. He is not asking for it to perform like a slalom board.....it will not due to rocker line and rail shape foot strap position. I know many people who are flat water slalom/GPS/freeride sailors that have a 85l or smaller wave board for use in strong wind rough water. Having one or two fins makes not difference as long as you have the right fins for purpose. The 16.5 fins on the board currently are being used are to small for use as a bump and jump board where you want to put more pressure on the fins and have them hold and not slip. From my experience with playing around with fin sizing for twin fin boards. If he wants it to feel like his single fin F2 with a 24cm fin he is likely to need 2 20cm fins then it would like feel more secure than the F2 single fin with a 24cm fin.


TristanF
VIC, 229 posts
23 Jul 2015 2:58PM
Thumbs Up

I bought a Nuevo 94 to get into the waves but then found I loved it for B&J in Port Phillip Bay.

Definitely sacrifice some early planing and top speed so it's a bit more work to keep upwind, but for jumping wind swell it's great. Because it changes direction so quickly, I find I don't lose speed turning upwind up the face of the swell (which often isn't quite cresting) and get much more height on my jumps.

And the upwind sailing, while a little painful, is good practice for the times I get into proper waves.

So I'm thinking of selling my 94L Kode if anyone's interested!

peguin
WA, 263 posts
11 Aug 2015 12:28PM
Thumbs Up

I have the same board which I've keep for 5yrs now as its amazing on a wave for my weight 78kg. I have newer boards but its still a down the line fav. I also use for bump jump without drama. It is a board which you drive off the front foot & harness, not the back foot. Wave stance not a slalom stance. I run smaller 15cm fins which makes the board very fast & lively.
Spin out does occur when pushing hard up wind on flat, but the beauty with the board is that it quick to pull back in line. Space your fins at the back and the mast track more forward may help. I have mine just forward of centre slot. However it may just be the wrong board for you. It is a snappy and slidey board on the wave very skateboardy style.

If you are driving of the back foot then you will slide out. Have a heavy back foot then look at single or quad fins boards.

P.C_simpson
NSW, 1489 posts
11 Aug 2015 9:42PM
Thumbs Up


MFC do make awesome fins but just because the fin has 165mm on it don't mean they are the same size as other 165mm fins, i use Flying object twin fins or the new starboard ones which come with the Nuevo's, I also have a few hand foil sets but are the same profile as the FO and Starboard.
These are more like a true 165mm, (with true i mean they are basically a traditional wave outline scaled down to 165mm) the MFC which are equivalent to maybe 145 or 150 as far as surface area and grip goes, as they are a tall narrow fin. Fins should really be sized like sails in surface area not depth so you actually know what you getting. So just look for a set with longer base but stick to 165mm or 170mm

So basically 95% of people i know with twins run 155mm or 165mm in 80lt boards, I'm about your weight and run 155mm in my 84lt Nude chopper and 165mm in my 94lt Nuevo and run up to 5.6m on that no worries, I have even run the 165mm on twins up to 105lt with 5.7m or 6.0m and still been good.

The twins will skip out on choppy water but they recover really fast and well, it just means you cant be a lazy sailor and just sheet in and lay back in the harness, watch everyone on them they will have the rig pretty much upright all the time and the weight more on there front foot.



Mark _australia
WA, 22090 posts
11 Aug 2015 7:48PM
Thumbs Up

^^^ so u saying FO and *board should start sizing on surface area like MFC do?

300cm2, 350cm2 or 400cm2 for ya quad... etc

I agree though, the length measurement can be misleading.
I am loving the new straighter and stiffer fins, nice pivot off the top

P.C_simpson
NSW, 1489 posts
11 Aug 2015 9:56PM
Thumbs Up

didn't know MFC has started to do it, but yes everyone should, maybe length and actual area would be good.



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Windsurfing General


"twin fins" started by pirrad