I am after some help from the guys who ride a thruster set up, preferably on boards around 9'6"

I bought a "Custom SUP" (9'6" x 30' x 4 1/4"). The side fins set so far forward (Like 30' from the tail, I think !) Colin told me he did this to make it more manoeuvrable without having to run down onto the tail. The board does feel pretty loose, but it does not track very well at all, and does not seem to have much drive.

I am going to set some extra FCS plugs so I can try a more traditional thruster set up. I've been checking out all my short boards, and reading some board building sites for the standard measurements, but can't find anything specific to Paddle Boards.

Can anyone take a tape measure to their thruster to help me out?
1) How far between the tail and the back of your side fins?
2) How far is the back of the side fin set in from the rail?

Thanks
Craig

Craigus, I had the same problem with a 9'6" a while back and fixed it by changing from a thruster set up to a 2+1. I don't have the measurements but the side fins were set a long way forward, the board lacked drive and tended to track etc etc , exactly what you are talking about. After lots of tiral and error, I found the board started really firing with FCS Sunny Garcias as sides and a 6" Fluid Foils centre fin, set about midway up the box. Hope that helps.

Craigus said...

I am after some help from the guys who ride a thruster set up, preferably on boards around 9'6"

I bought a "Custom SUP" (9'6" x 30' x 4 1/4"). The side fins set so far forward (Like 30' from the tail, I think !) Colin told me he did this to make it more manoeuvrable without having to run down onto the tail. The board does feel pretty loose, but it does not track very well at all, and does not seem to have much drive.

I am going to set some extra FCS plugs so I can try a more traditional thruster set up. I've been checking out all my short boards, and reading some board building sites for the standard measurements, but can't find anything specific to Paddle Boards.

Can anyone take a tape measure to their thruster to help me out?
1) How far between the tail and the back of your side fins?
2) How far is the back of the side fin set in from the rail?

Thanks
Craig

i get - back fin 83/4" to the back of the fin and side fins17" to the back of those.i don't use a fin box- fcs fusion plugs only.a slightly bigger centre fin solves a lot of drama. the shapers s9 centre fin is the go imo, comes in fin box style or fcs type.i did use sunnies all round for a long time. i can't believe your side fins are at 30"
cheers

laceys lane said...


i get - back fin 83/4" to the back of the fin and side fins17" to the back of those.i don't use a fin box- fcs fusion plugs only.a slightly bigger centre fin solves a lot of drama. the shapers s9 centre fin is the go imo, comes in fin box style or fcs type.i did use sunnies all round for a long time. i can't believe your side fins are at 30"
cheers

Hey Lacey, that's really similar to my semi gun. Catch ya at the Roar, we can compare notes