I've surfed thruster shortboards all my life. I also now kitesurf and ride a quad fin kite surfboard. I'm recently into SUP and have a 9' surf model SUP with 2+1 set up (F-one Anakao). I am familiar with the feel and pros and cons of thrusters vs quads while actually on a wave. What I am less familiar with and, to be honest, struggling with, is the inherent yaw instability of a surf SUP while paddling (i.e. the side to side nose movement with each paddle stroke; especially the first couple of strokes until some forward momentum is gained).

Yes i'm new to SUP and my technique/experience is lacking but I would gladly sacrifice a little something/anything while surfing for the ease of paddling at the moment.
And yes I know a bigger more stable board would do the trick on the paddling front (say a 10' flatter rockered board) but I am a competent enough surfer not to want to sacrifice the wave riding that much. (I'm only 78kg and like the actual wave riding feel of the 9' surf model SUP I have).

So, is a big-arsed centre fin better at keeping yaw stability while paddling or a well designed quad setup?

Hi edhead

When I read your post I thought I had written it, but back a couple of months ago. I am similar to you I am about your weight kite surf first but due to typical poor wind in Autum I started SUPping in March 2011. Tested a few boards and went with a 9' 4 X 30 Oxbow. Good board and straight paddler for its size. But to start had some yaw issues.

I decided to move on so bought a 9' Coreban Pure Fusion and set up with E Quad fins - back to excesive yaw issues - more than ever and stability problems. But now a couple of months on no yaw problems.

How did I improve - well while this was not planned it seems to have been the key. I was lent a 9' 8 x 31.5 wide Angulo Surfa 3 fin set up for 3 weeks - supa stable and straight paddler. I just went out as normal but all my problems went and my skill level improved dramatically and quickly. I wanted to keep this board but no go. So back to the Coreban Fusion. I set it up with the side E quad fins (bigger than standard) and 6.5 Cut away centre fin went OK after a few initial problems but I adjusted very quickly. Now a couple of weeks on I only ride with the E Quads and all good with the exception of stability in some onshore wind days. Yaw problems have gone.

If you can borrow a bigger wide stable board for a few weeks your skills will develop quickly.

I ride a quad surf board for kite surfing and like the quad feel. Good luck.