Slingshot Fuse help

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

I know I will sound like an idiot on this post, but I need some 'guidance' for best practices with my fuse.

Right now, i have both bindings mounted close to symmetric on the board, and ride it like a twin tip; however, I would like to get some more directional riding out of it and not sacrifice too much TT-ishness until I get way better at directional riding.

I have experimented, and found the quad-fin end to be the surfy feeling end... I would have guessed it would be the other end, so does this sound right?

also, how much symmetry should I give up with the foot pads? Meaning, how much to the rear of the board should I go? Ideally, I want this board to be my shredder for big swell in the river and the summer breaks on the coast (at least until I can jibe a surfboard).

all advice is appreciated!

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

The end with the big fins should be the "surfy" feeling end. Think of the fins on a surfboard. Ideally (on a surfboard) your back foot should be somewhere on top of the fins for maximum carving power. For your purposes I would just set the straps as far back as you can and still feel comfortable enough riding switch. The further you go the better carving and smacking the lip will be, but riding the other direction will suffer. I don't think the straps go far enough back on the Fuse to make it really bad going the other direction, but that's based on preference I guess.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

I went and got double grommets and more screws so I could mount the straps bi-directional. (with no duck slant). I have middle/middle front and back and I put 3" fins on the very back (were the four fins are).

As it is (middle-middle with the bigger fins, it's really not that fun to ride backwards...the 3' fins catch and throw spray...it's pretty directional at the middle holes for me.

just finished a 12 miler into the glassy estuary...so many waves! Cool

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

The Fuse is a pretty versitile board. You can ride it whichever way you want. I have been playing with mine a bit and have found that I like the back foot all the way back and the front foot in the middle holes. I put the medium sized fins in the forward location of the tail. I put the big fins on the tip. I found that this set up helps with riding out on the nose and the medium size fins don't slow the board down as much. I also put 2007 SX pads and straps on for a more cushy ride. Play around with yours and you will see that the board is an amazing alternative to a surfboard.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

My take is that if you don't ride it "in back seat"
it pearls when you hit your bottom turn
you need to keep the four fin set up" locked in "
so lean back and enjoy the ride
these boards work well in lighter air
pretty big so can beat you up a bit in the chop

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

ahhh the fuse.......first off for gp...the nose =the 2 fin.... the tail=the 4 fin set up.......this board is not set up down the center ....so riding centered might feel strange the rocker {this is where it gets surfy} is set up like all good surf boards flater in the tail and kicked i the nose = easy in.then the outline takes over and the tail holds everything in.......its very important to adjust your stance .....for me my right foot is back and damn near club say 2 oclock my left is say 11.... on all surf boards you need to get your toes to the rail....your front foot controls plane and moves around more....the tail of the fuse is wide and is alot to handle but thin so you push it to a point then it slides....if it was thicker you would be blowing it out all over......i ride my fuse when the water is to thin or the reefs are breathing hard and would ruin my srt what i ride 80% of the time ....ive tried lot and lots of setups and this board made me widen my stance but this is where i call home back foot all the way back ducked to get my toes over front foot one hole back twisted one hole....in the nose the 2 wake style fins ..on the tail all the way back i use 2.3/4 fins from a old surf then the stock 2 in .....ive tried 4 in surf fins on the tail to hold it in but when ridding backwards the grab was to much the nose kick wasnt steep enough to keep that much fin clear and it didnt hold the tail that much better ive found on most MR DOYLE boards once you find your sweet spot its a matter of moving your heel up to gain leverage go up wind or back to hold tail on drops ect...... i keep my toes pretty planted... ride switch....for use of small fins and thin water....imo this board likes to carve more flat to use rail and concave unlike the srt that goes rail to rail....and ya it took a long time to wire but once you get there i think youll agree this board ROCKS and will fit into any and all wave driven quiver..

have fun throw buckets