Hi guys,
this is my first post as a "Longboarder" as I usually hang over in the shortboard and teabaggers forums, butI got a 9" Astro longboard yesterday for those "winter" breaks that pop up with the strom swells.
It's got a box "multi fit" centre fin setup with the mini stabiliser fins on the sides, but I bought it to use as a single only.
Currently is has a real skinny McTavish 7" fin and the 3/4 size thruster fins in the sides.
Riding with only the single fin, it has no bite at all and I have to use the keel effect of the rails for direction, so what size should I go for to give me bite through turns and trimming on waves??

In my shortboards I like a full fin that is swept back, to give me positive bite and no side slip, if that helps ?

Any advice would be appreciated

I always thought a good rule of thumb was just a fraction under 1 inch per foot.

So 8" to 8.5" maybe?

Today I went down to an 8 inch fin on my 10ft board because the tide was so low I kept scraping the 9.5 inch on the rocks.

It was strange trying to turn with a fin that small, it's not that I couldn't turn, it's just that I had to move around a lot more to do it.

How bloody rude on you both, Welcome to the forum au-rick.
See guys that wasn't too hard.

I believe fin set up is a personal thing.

I spent a lone time and wasted a few bucks on fins over the years.
If you want to loosen the thing up 6 1/2 or 7 inch centre with small side bites which I use
set about 50mm back from the nose end. Works for me.

Good luck have fun and keep us posted with whats going on in the west.

Oh if you see a stray doggie running a muck,kick him up the arse and send
him home

au_rick said...

Thanks for the welcome Mac,
I do have a few FCS fins but want to ride this as a single and the 7" doesn't do it for me. Think I'll go a 9 1/2" for a "baseline" fin and take it from there.


cheers,...

Your welcome and as a single yep 9 1/2 would work

If you are going to run it as a single then would definately stick around the 9" or better and maybe try to find something with a bit of base and a fine (ish) tip so that will give you plenty of drive but keep the board nice and loose of the top so you don't get hung up. Greenough style fins are great - maybe try and borrow a Mct redline fin if you know anyone who has one. Once you try something you like let us know cos I am sure someone will have one in their shed they aren't using.

BB,funny you say your mate rides Astro boards as i pick up mine soon,shut up mac i know,By the way mac will give you ph as i will be passing work next thursday as asea will have 4 days to himself, i hope there are waves.