29 posts
Hey Guys
I built myself an 11'6" sup a few years ago. It was my first introduction to supping so it was a flat bottomed single fin for mainly learning and flat water paddling. I have since been surfing in some knee high waves but am finding it very difficult to turn. Thinking of adding some side fins (2 + 1) to help out. Anyone got any ideas of fin positions??
Cheers
Mick
WA
874 posts
Might help extra fins or just cut 2 foot of it that will help
5388 posts
Moving the fin as far forward as possible will help you more to turn than adding side fins.
Adding side fins will just block the board more. You need to decrease the size of the single fin first, and then compensate the loss of hold by adding side fins. But seriously, if you want to turn a 11'6", you must learn how to turn. No fin changes will magically make it turn.
best advice: time for a 9'6" !
29 posts
Hey Guys
The thing is, where I now live, Mackay QLD, there isn't much in the way of swell due to the great barrier reef. I do mainly paddle on flat water but occasionally, I will find a few knee high wave which are fun and quite rideable. A smaller board is not going to be much good. The problem is that when I want to turn, my board doesn't. I think my first option will be to put a smaller fin in it, it is quite large, then see how that goes. As for putting side fins in, thats not a problem as I have quite a lot of board building experience, mainly longboards. so if I do end up installing fin plugs and dont get any benefit from it, no great loss. I would just like to know how far up from the tail side fin boxes should be installed on a 11'6". I am fully aware that personal preference will be different but a general guide would be appreciated. Im thinking around the 19" mark. Anyone else got some input?
Cheers
Mick
5388 posts
A common setting for 2+1 is to have 2" between the back of the side fins and the front of the center fin, center fin being 6" to 8" deep, and the "sidebites" less than 4".
But I would just try first a 7" or 8" single fin, in the front of the box, and maybe some flex in it. narrow chord fins (like the "finger" fins) are very nice to liven big SUPs. You do not want the added drag of side fins if you already do not want to use a shorter board...
NSW
347 posts
i used 18" for my 10' mals so 19 or 20 should be spot on.
NSW
1610 posts
When you are trying to turn the board are you standing right back on the tail over the fin?? As if you not the board will turn like the queen marry so make sure your not too far forward and right back over the tail .... I've actually surfed up that way once so I know how weak the wind swells are the 11 footer would be the go for sure
