I am looking for recommendations for a different center fin for my Walden Magic Model. It came with a 7" Walden wide base. I am looking for a fin with less drag with more flow and projection out of the turns. The board is 9’1" with a 15 1/2" wide round pin, 3 1/4 thick, with some weight to it. The board will be ridden in typical east coast knee to chest beachbreak waves. Any help would be great!
In waves of that size, I tend to ride mine with a 9" single fin, for more speed. When the waves get overhead I put in the 7" 2+1 but surf it in a more rail to rail fashion.
Aloha , My Walden Magic 9’ 6" seems/IS my favorite board . I have been on a quest to find a “shorter” board I like. I always go back to the Magic Model . It is just the most fun for me. I have found that a Cutaway fin works best for me . The longboard house in Melbourne sells a “Squirrel Cutaway” fin that I use and like best . It has a large “bulb” area on the bottom but is thin near the top . Holds real well in any waves but allows me to turn easier than any other fin I’ve used . I have tried the 8 inch and the 9 inch and like the 8 better . It holds fine and turns well. Been thinking about a new longboard and it’s between a 10 foot Magic . ( I already know I like that shape ) OR a 10 foot CODA by Steve Forstall He is a super boardmaker … Stay with what I know I like or try something new??? Thanks Mahalo to All Don J.
1.) Try a 7 or 7.25" Takayama “finger” for a center. Excellent drive off turns, smooth transitions on turns, holds well, and has nice flow. Quick redirections a little harder.
2.) Try reconsidering your FCS (?) fins.
3.) The Magic Model workes nicely as a single fin, too. Most of the time, I’ve seen Steve surf, he goes single. This was 6 years ago.
Thanks for the info. on the fins. The Takayama sounds like what I am looking for. I like the concept of the cutaway and the easy turning ability, but I always heard they lack drive due to the narrow base. Hotcoat, do you notice that with the Walden?
What kind of rail fins you want to run will dictate how much center fin you need. How you want the board to surf is what will determine what you’ll be happiest with.
There are many schools of thought on how to set-up a lonboard with a 2+1. I have made lots of different set-ups and each board and surfer want something a little different.
Attached is a custom fin set-up I made several years ago for a high performance longboard I think it’s an excellent all around center fin dominate long board set-up. The center get’s moved around on several boards because it’s a very versatile fin. (8.25" “Flacco” center - foam core, 3.75" “Mental” rails) It serves as a good small wave fin on the longboard as a single. With the rail fins the board will handle some pretty big stuff comfortably.
I have lots of cutaway templates. Don’t judge cutaways by the few templates you see out there. The idea is far more versatile than most surfers realize.
Hope this gives you some good ideas and you find what you’re looking for.
Mahalo, Rich
Drive on my Walden has always been good . when I try a larger base fin it seems to me like it “sticks” on the bottom turn . Much harder to turn tends to sink the rail too much instead of just pivoting and going. here’s a couple of pics of the CODA/Forstall boards … Sorry … Don’t mean to change the subject… D.J.
Thanks for all the help! Halycon, those are some beautiful fins. I’ve heard great things about Steve and his Coda boards. Does anyone know how to get in touch with him to place an order?