Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Keel fins

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Created by frosty1962 > 9 months ago, 2 Jun 2021
frosty1962
SA, 35 posts
2 Jun 2021 5:37PM
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Anyone tried keel twin set up on an infinity B line? Was thinking of giving it a go but but would be good to find out others experience and type of fins used. Regards Frosty

DaveSandan
VIC, 1364 posts
2 Jun 2021 7:04PM
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Be a trend setter and try it regardless.

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
2 Jun 2021 7:58PM
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Hi mate, I use the machado quad keel in an 8' starboard pro. They're great, particularly in under head high, tried them once as twin in knee high fast waves, worked very well and super fast.

frosty1962
SA, 35 posts
2 Jun 2021 7:49PM
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Thanks guys,yeah considered running the Machado seaside quad set up, is that what you have Mick?

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
2 Jun 2021 10:33PM
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Select to expand quote
frosty1962 said..
Thanks guys,yeah considered running the Machado seaside quad set up, is that what you have Mick?


Yes, gotta love being by the seaside

frosty1962
SA, 35 posts
3 Jun 2021 1:50AM
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riverider
TAS, 1096 posts
3 Jun 2021 6:32AM
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I tried a set once, it was like been on rail tracks for me, could barely turn with then, maybe better for bigger guys.

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
3 Jun 2021 10:13AM
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riverider said..
I tried a set once, it was like been on rail tracks for me, could barely turn with then, maybe better for bigger guys.


I wouldn't say I'm big but I guess that all depends on comparisons, I'm 80kg. I am pretty heavy back foot so maybe that has something to do with it. Sometimes there are flops I guess, shame we can't trial fins easily.

colas
4986 posts
3 Jun 2021 4:46PM
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I didnt try keels on a B-line, but here is my finding with keels:

- they work great in very weak waves, where you can push on them like a madman
- for them to work, you must have your rear foot on them, or preferably behind them, so this means a very wide tail. Otherwise your will just track straight like on rails. This is why you see keels on mostly on mini-simmons.
- as soon as the wave get a bit more power, the waves will suck the keel up its face, and you will have a hard time preventing the board to stiffen up, or being flipped over. You will need to reduce the keel area to counter this, or switch to twin fins. I ended up using C-Drive twins instead of keels, for more wave range. Prone surfboards are narrower and suffer less from this phenomenon.

I fear that the B-Line has not a tail wide enough to be fun with keels.

Here is one session where my keels shone, on a 6'10" Simmons shape with a very wide tail: The second board from the left. The other boards were not wide enough in the tail for keels in my opinion...


The board has C-Drives on the pic above, but Keels on the video below:



In a nutshell: If you want more grip, try C-Drive twins first. Keels are more niche fins.

supthecreek
2583 posts
3 Jun 2021 7:56PM
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I agree with colas on this.... Keels are very "specific use" fins!

Want another kool use for Keel Fins?
Use one in the center position on a short SUP, and transform it into a straight paddling flat-water board!
I bought a set of cheapo plastic Keels (the white one) online for $16 USD.
They would probably break in the surf, but they track amazingly well on flat-water!




colas
4986 posts
4 Jun 2021 1:04PM
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Ah yes, +1 with supthecreek.

I used a symmetrical keel as a center fin on my 8'2" for flat water paddling (the board had 2 inline FCS boxes, to provide for 3 fin positions, so I could fit a 3-tabs keel)

frosty1962
SA, 35 posts
4 Jun 2021 7:47PM
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Reckon I'll just stick with the regular quads which work well,thanks for the responses,saved me a few bucks



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"Keel fins" started by frosty1962