Fin dynamics 2+1 vs thruster ?

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Glass off
Glass off
124 posts
124 posts
19 Jan 2009 2:23pm
Hi, I'm new to longboard/SUP riding - been riding SUP for 1yr (I've been surfing shortboards for 30+ yrs)

I have tried different fin set-ups on my 10'6" & now I have a 9'10",,,, so far I've tried the 9'10 on a 7.0" fin with little GL sides & it's going well but next I'll try going down to a 4.5"-5" centre with larger sides.

But I dont really fully understand the dynamics of these fin combinations.

I was hoping some of you guys with longboarding backgrounds, shapers & board-builders could help give me a better idea.

Thanks, SeanO

Brooko
Brooko
1672 posts
1672 posts
19 Jan 2009 7:13pm
Firstly i am not a mal rider or a shaper. I have been surfing shortboards for over 20 yrs and surf a 9 6 naish but I can tell you that i have been experimenting with all sorts of different fins over the last few weeks and the difference is amazing I really never thought fins would make so much difference, but try them for your self and see What I mean, unreal difference.
Glass off
Glass off
124 posts
124 posts
20 Jan 2009 9:17am
Er, thanks Brooko that was very un-enlightening - still it was a least a reply, but I am none the wiser.

Sure, I've been trying all sorts of fins & combo's with these great big SUP boards.

But as well as trying / testing fins myself I'd like to hear some theory from someone that has a good understanding of the dynamics of fin groupings on big boards & can give some general guidelines & specific personal experience.

Cher cher, SeanO
teatrea
teatrea
QLD
4177 posts
QLD, 4177 posts
20 Jan 2009 11:15am
G,day Glass off i personally dont know anything regarding fin set ups , but if you search the posts from Blane Chambers he had a few good suggestions regarding his fin set ups.
Piros
Piros
QLD
7303 posts
QLD, 7303 posts
20 Jan 2009 12:04pm
SeanO I've been playing around with a Ron 9-10 quad and a PSH 9-2 tri fin.

On the Ron I have F2 twin fins at the front with the next size down at the rear , this board has fantastic drive down the line and if you look the angle of the fins they are very straight that gives drive ,angle them in that gives better turning ability but washes off speed.On the Psh I have sunny sides with 4.5 centre this board is so different to The Ron , it's fast an easy to turn but I have trouble finding the rear foot placement for the pump and drive.(thats just me)

So getting back to the hyrodynamics of it all you need work out if you surf better on your board as a thruster , twin fin with small rear (2+1) or single fin with trailers. It's not just the size of sides but the angle as well , i've noticed in your pics you have tried the H-2's on the 10-6 i don't think they are a good fin for the sup but they are a great example of what angleing your fins out does to your board.

Coming off your short board you are probabaly trying to surf your Sup mid board , long boarders make the switch faster as they are used to back foot drop knee style surfing check out this clip www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45850 great example of the drop knee turn.

The fin set up that works for someone else still might not be the combo for you.

Rob
gcsup
gcsup
QLD
4 posts
QLD, 4 posts
20 Jan 2009 12:50pm
Just my 2 cents worth - On my 11'4 naish I am pretty happy with the standard 10.5 centre and small sides.(have replaced original sides with smaller gx's) I tend to think that the 10.5 is a tad big but am just too lazy to source a smaller replacement with a similar profile.

I surfed a 9'8 Uber for a while and wasn't impressed with it as a quad but found it really sweet with a Mctavish 6 inch centre and AM-2 sides.
I have a few mates who also have had good results on boards 10'0 and under with running smaller centre fins around 6" with larger sides - like am-2s or m5s or similar.
62mac
62mac
WA
24860 posts
WA, 24860 posts
20 Jan 2009 4:28pm
Hi Glass off,from a long history of riding longboards IMO it depends on a couple of thingsHow much rocker has the board gotand how many kegs you are
Do you surf from the tail
As Piros saidwhats good for one may not be good for another
I find a 7 inch centre and small FCS outer fins work best for me
But iam 105 kegs surf off the tail and my boards have a three stage rocker!
I find a huge differance riding a board with either a 8/9/10 inch fin unless i am riding a single fin old school mal!
With the rocker,remember the more rocker the less contact the board has with the water IMO.

Tip loan 5/6/7/8/9/10 fins from anyone you can,a good quailty fin can cost upto 100 bucks!

Hope this is of some help

mac
Glass off
Glass off
124 posts
124 posts
20 Jan 2009 5:35pm
Hah! I went into a few surf shops today - I'm doing the FCS test-drive thing with the Sunny Garcia fins (they're quite a large fin for sideys).

I had NO luck with finding a 4.5" or 5" U.S finbox fin - I even got laughed at for asking at one place.

N.Z. can be really difficult for finding equipment sometimes - looks like I'll have to cut a fin down to get a 5" fin or get one made specially - I can just squeeze in a slightly more upright 5" fin out of one of my old windsurfing fins.

Is there such a thing as a FCS/U.S.finbox adapter?

The 9'10" rippers rocker is approx 3" at the tail & 6 1/4" at the nose, it has a single to double concave going into about 1/2" of V starting well forward of the fins - I am only just starting to get this board dialled after a few sessions & it has been really junky conditions - loving it so far

Brooko
Brooko
1672 posts
1672 posts
20 Jan 2009 7:36pm
You will be suprised how small a fins you can run in these big girls and still get good drive, the smaller fins are so much better for turning.
62mac
62mac
WA
24860 posts
WA, 24860 posts
20 Jan 2009 7:43pm
I agree with Brooko, I find the smaller fins loosen the board up and larger fins take on a whole new approach,you have to draw your lines out well before you hit that spot!

mac
Brooko
Brooko
1672 posts
1672 posts
20 Jan 2009 9:37pm
The 9 6" naish as you know is a quad. I am running fcs sf 4 s and have found them to be an unreal combo, I have been trying them for over 3 weeks now pretty much surfing every day, I will be sticking with these fins they are awesome Heaps more drive and speed down the line and super loose and turns on a dime
Glass off
Glass off
124 posts
124 posts
21 Jan 2009 6:19pm
Far out.... I shaped up a 5" centre fin from an old windsurf fin today ( No.8 wire, NZ style - if stuff's not available you have to make do with what is lying around ).

So I tried out the Sunny sides and the home made fin at the Point - it was a good 3-4ft, seabreeze was 15kts onshore making paddling hard work ..... the 9'10"ripper is blowing my mind.

The Thruster fin set-up allows you to really throw the board around. Looking forward to more testing.

Tux
Tux
VIC
3829 posts
Tux Tux
VIC, 3829 posts
21 Jan 2009 8:24pm


Is there such a thing as a FCS/U.S.finbox adapter?



Yeah mate FCS make them...I had to contact my local supplier who got one in for me
62mac
62mac
WA
24860 posts
WA, 24860 posts
21 Jan 2009 6:32pm
Any pic's tux and information?

mac
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