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Occupied Columbia
Since 12 Nov 2011
376 Posts
Columbia City
Obsessed
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Thu Jun 09, 16 6:26 am Surfboard fin placement? |
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I have a 2015 SS angry swallow 5'4" it has 5 fcs2 boxes. I noticed the 2016 has three.
I am new to surfboards. I usually go to Fort Stevens a lot in the winter some in the summer. I may go more in the summer with a surfboard. I don't plan on using it much on the river. I'm 180lbs.
My questions are...
anyone with experience on this board?
are you using 2,3,4 or 5 fins?
and which fins do you use?
Thanks |
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jeremy
Since 18 Aug 2006
273 Posts
Manzo & HR
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Thu Jun 09, 16 7:39 am |
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I have the 2014 T-Rex, I believe it's pretty similar. The thruster setup works good, more of an all-round setup, but I preferred the quad setup, it makes the board a little more exciting in the waves, a bit faster and easier to ride in the critical sections. I found the stock front fins are too big, went with some M3 size front fins instead. The rear fins were fine. Using all 5 fins makes the board too slow, 2 fins too loose. |
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Occupied Columbia
Since 12 Nov 2011
376 Posts
Columbia City
Obsessed
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Thu Jun 09, 16 7:58 am |
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Thanks. I think your right on TRex being same. If I start out with factory fins, Would you go big fins front small in back quad setup? |
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airon^
Since 07 Aug 2013
289 Posts
Durango
Obsessed
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Thu Jun 09, 16 11:01 am yes |
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Generally for Quads, you use the larger fins up front and the smaller in the rear _________________ surf the san juans |
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ShiverMeTimbers
Since 26 Feb 2013
381 Posts
Gig Harbor
Obsessed
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Thu Jun 09, 16 11:28 am |
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just make sure you put 'em in the right direction!
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Kmun
Since 05 Jul 2009
250 Posts
Obsessed
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Thu Jun 09, 16 12:15 pm Fins - not all created equal |
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jeremy wrote: | I preferred the quad setup, it makes the board a little more exciting in the waves, a bit faster and easier to ride in the critical sections. I found the stock front fins are too big, went with some M3 size front fins instead. The rear fins were fine. Using all 5 fins makes the board too slow, 2 fins too loose. |
1. With the Quads:
What were the symptoms of front fins being too large?
What works for a coastal wave is probably different that what works for river swell. Fin materials and architecture could have up-wind attributes with trade-offs with pivot vs. stability. Up-wind abilities (drive w/less crabbing) w/kites may challenge free surf characteristics (down the line).
2. Anyone with solid info to support this?
Check the range of fin build & performance.
https://vimeo.com/130830385 |
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bwd
Since 04 Aug 2007
385 Posts
Obsessed
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Thu Jun 09, 16 3:05 pm |
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The symptom of fins too large is too tight and can't break loose the tail. Front fins too large? My future controllers are large and if overpowered will hydrofoil the board into an Ollie if I take pressure off the edge. Fun trick but annoying out the back when you spot a wave to turn onto and ease off, then the board flies out of the water in front of you... Or just catch a chop wrong. Good in the light winds though.
I think in kiting generally most seem to find the solid glass fins hold up better, and the stiffness is needed more often than not. Consider if you are powered and riding upwind or even reaching, it's like being in the apex of a big bottom turn - heavy pressure on the fins - the entire time.
Too flexy and they can wash out, feel vague, more fragile, break easily etc.
But one thing that can help a kitesurf board feel snappy, even with solid glass or similar stiff front fins, is to use a back fin (fins with a quad) that is softer. On a thruster this can reduce the feel of drag from the trailer. Even better may be to just use a nubster as trailer.
For years I rode a thruster as a twin, it only occasionally felt too squirrelly.
Now I am mixing it up more.... |
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