Hi,
Does anyone know of any good online stores where I can buy a fin?
After something for F2 Freeride 279 (116 ltrs) and 7m sail. Am 95kgs and the current 36cm Mistral (very stiff and think) has poor upwind performance and spins out way too easily under load.
Any suggestions would be good.
Cheers

tectonicsmaui.com/
Good fins

Bayblaster,

Since you're in WA, maybe try Stuart Bell sails in Nedlands (Ph 9386 1975) as they are the importers of Select fins in WA and their prices are quite reasonable (around $150 ea) compared to what you would pay for other brand fins at some windsurfing shops around Perth (nearly $200 for a G10 fin?). They do mail order as well.

If you're in Perth and shopping for a good cheap secondhand fin then try Windsurfing Perth as they have lots of secondhand fins in stock. I picked up a 28cm powerbox freeride fin in ex condition for $45 on my last visit.

Thanks, they look unreal but $245 seems pretty pricey. Whats in them to make them so dear?
I can probably get a Select Fin for around $160 which for me would probably be just as good.
I'm after a Powerbox fin,
Any size suggestions? 116Ltr board, 7mtr sail and 95Kg rider In lighter winds?
My current 34cm fin isnt pointing well and is spinning out bad.

Re MFC fins, I would have thought that the Liquid Pro (http://windshack.com/products.php?cat=windsurfing&scat=4&id=60) would have been a better choice for a freeride board, though they're still relatively expensive at $195.

Many suggestions about using expensive racing fins from Tectonic and MFC on an older model F2 Freeride board, though has anyone considered that $200 plus is a lot of money to spend on ONE fin for a board that is probably only worth $500-$800 on the secondhand market, not to mention the fact that using a wide range of sail sizes on a versatile board like the F2 may require a quiver of fins?

I've got just one 85L freeride board that I use in all conditions which was built around the same time as the F2 Ride 279 (circa 2000-2001) and the thought of spending $200 or more on one fin is unrealistic!

Bayblaster, suggest you check out the Select fin selector at:
www.select-hydrofoils.com/fins/selector.wrd?smsid=04d4896e5d57dd484ba7b2b4de725281#

Category to select would probably be 'Freeride/Supercross boards > Width from 58 to 62cm' as the F2 Ride 279 is 60cm wide according to specs. Original fin on 279 was apparently a 32cm Concrete Wave Convertible so the recommended size of around 37cm may work ok with a 7.0 sail and person of your weight.

Bayblaster, whereabouts in Victoria are you located?

Bayblaster said...

Thanks for the Info Gazman,
Yeah was thinking $200 plus for the fin didnt make alot of sense for my oldish board, dont know how many other new boards use Powerboxes incase I upgrade down the track.
I checked out the Select site and found the S07 Large 37cm or the Ride 40cm look good for light wind freeride slalom.
I'm in Aspendale which is a Sth East Suburb.

I don't think you will get much change out of $400 for a Select SO7 the SL7 is great value and the fins are up there with the best in terms of performance

Have spoken with Paul at SHQ and he suggests one of the following,

JP Supersport fin in G10 in 40 or 42, or
North Shore Maui 44 cm freecarve

Which would be best?

116ltr board, 95kg sailor and 7mtr sail. (might get bigger sail down the track)

From memory the supersport fins are fairly stiff. I used to use a 37 with my 116 jp and 7.5m for powered sailing. If you want optimal light air performance go for the 42, otherwise a 40 should be good. again from memory the NSM was a bit narower in the tip so it may be similar to the JP 44. Best bet is to have a look and compare the surface area. The supersport fin is a bit more speed oriented whereas the NSM more on the free ride side.

Apparently, Northshore fins were fitted to all F2 boards around 2002 (not sure about later years though), eg the 02 F2 Powerglide II 280 which was the next model after the Ride came with a 42cm Northshore freeride fin (according to 02 UK Surfstore brochure I have). I have a 28cm Northshore freecarve fin from around the same era, they're an older design with more curve in the outline and built using polyester resin, not epoxy like G10 fins so they would have more flex than newer G10 fins like the JP Supersport.

If the price is right for the 42cm Supersport then I would go for it!

Check out recommended Supersport fin/sail sizes at:
http://www.jp-australia.com/2008/index.php?id=71