2 + 1 On Performance Shortboards:
There not many (if any) in the resources, and I’m having a hard time finding pros or cons in the archives as well. Lots of eggs, mini-LB’s, etc. Seems like very good idea so why is there not more: Is it an extra weight issue, the more laborious install, fin costs?
Thanks,
Herb Bean
Not sure, but isn’t the Parmenter Widow Maker a 2+1 style setup? The one that I have seen was a modern shortboard templated, channel bottomed, with a 2+1 fin setup, and it’s featured in the film “Glass Love”. It seemed like a really good idea, and in the video it went really well. Seems like more hold and drive than the thruster, a really interesting design concept. The install seems pretty simple, just like on a longboard.
I ride both single and the two plus one configuration, what it comes down to for me is this. I ride different breaks at different sizes and different times, so to be able to go from one single fin to three fins gives me advantages. Single fin gives a lose feel roller coaster arcing turns, to me a smother look and feel for small to medium surf. For larger surf I put on the side fins and smaller center fin more pump and drive as well as being able to trim higher up in the curl for the speed one might need. For weight I’m not to concern with. Why more boards are not made in the two plus one fin set up is unknown to me. I know you were looking for pros and cons I hope this helped. for me it is the line you want draw upon the surf. With a two plus one fin combination make it possible to draw different lines. To me one is better or worse than the other I enjoy riding both.
Morgen
I agree with onesoul on that one. I rode thrusters for years and although they worked well they never seemed quite right. My last two boards I have set up as 2+1,s and I like it a lot. With it you have a virtually unlimited number of fin setups you can try so you can tune it to ride exactly the way you want. Or you can ride it as a thruster if you want and have the ability to adjust your fin position to suit you. Can’t do that on a standard thruster. In fact my next board I hope to install edge fins so I can adjust my fin cant too. I would say go for it.
A definition of performance shortboard, please ?
If you mean the average [here anyway] 6-6’3 x 18 -18 1/2 x 2 1/8 - 2 1/4 " thruster sliver, then yes, I don’t see too many kids today experimenting with their fin setups…
why ?
beats me !!
The reason I put a back finbox in all the boards I make, and use plugs for the side fins is to be able to choose a single, twin, thruster , ‘2 +1’ option… [and, occassionally , 4 or 5 fin setups too . ]
I like small side fins with a large back fin, a LOT…I believe Americans call the setup the ‘widowmaker’, for some reason ? [WAS that a Dave Parmenter naming, I wonder ?!] .Pivotal single fin feel, with an extra bit of fin during cutties.
On my fish, I also enjoy the large twin fins with a small trailer option . Fast, and holds the tail in a bit better… for me, anyway.
And I DEFINATELY like the single fin option. Oh yeah.
Occassionally I’ll even ride it as a thruster, with all THREE fins the SAME size !
ben
I say try them all…see what YOU prefer !
Thanks guys - I agree with all that you’re saying. Since I don’t see any negatives either, I’m installing Edge fins and bahne box on a 6’8" shorboard. Surfersensei, Edge fins really do add versatility. Right now on the orange 8.0 board, I have a 5.5" Rusty Flex with 3.5" Edge bites. Sometimes I ride it as a single with a 7.5" center, and sometimes I ride it as twin with just side 4.5"s. The ability to adjust toe on the side broadens the board’s range even more. Guess there’s no reason the same set up won’t be just as good on a smaller/performance “thruster sliver” <–chips discription, haha…
Best,
Herb
HerbB- nice setup on the 8’0". Very similar to what I have on my 8’4" minus the edge fins.That is my go-to do-everything/travel board. I love the rusty flex also.I have a couple of them.- John
It is highly likely that this will be modified so it can sometimes be used as a 2+1 setup, once I’ve ridden it as a single for a year or so: -
… Probably, with ‘one tab’ side fins like this , and also a little bigger [these ones are, in real life, 2" base, 2 1/2 " depth] : -
ben
been away surfing shoulder to head high point barrels for the weekend. and decided to make my 7’0 single into a 2+i widowmaker set up to save on shaping another stick as The single is too loose for my liking but dont want to change the 7inch fin for some thing bigger.
So…
how did it go, panny…hold in better ?
what size front fins did you use ?
How thick / thin is your 7’er , again ?
was that Noosa ? a mate’s there at the moment…said it’s been pumping !! [and the surfcams confirm it ! looks like the ‘superbank’ has been doing its thing too, with crowds to match, of course! tragic .]
… good to hear from ya mate !
ben
in regards to noosa, it didnt get much swell at all. i surfed the river mouth on saturday and it was fun, head high. but those crowds on the points there are crazy.goldy was definitely higher quality.had a cracker of a session on sunday 5 hours long, surfed the beachies followed by a lefthand reef/point that was as good as i have surfed it. i have finally got avoiding the crowds down to an art.as long as you dont mind sharks.the crazy thing was a fisherman pulled in a little 2-3footer of the rocks at the point we were surfing at just before dark.
I’m sorry if this is a silly question but, if I wanted to make the 2+1 into a thruster with 3 like-sized fins, who makes a small center fin with a base large enough for the center box? Thanks!
No chippy 4 hours north of noosa (agnes water) or to a sandgroper agnesup.
Don’t know what size sideys yet but most probably whatever is in the speedfins longboard range (large size)
evolution surf has 3 different size center fins 4 3/4" , 5 1/4", and 8 1/4"
I’m sorry if this is a silly question but, if I wanted to make the 2+1 into a thruster with 3 like-sized fins, who makes a small center fin with a base large enough for the center box? Thanks!
hi onemunk …welcome to swaylocks !
IF you’re feeling adventurous, you might also like to have a go at making your own, too. There’s some good stuff in the archives and resources, if you type in ‘fin making’ , or similar, that should get you started. [Bert Berger, in particular, did a very informative step by step thread with photos which you may enjoy !]
…I hope this helps !
cheers !
ben
Ben - Thanks for the welcome. I’ve been lurking/reading/studying the content here for some time and only occasionally post. I actually thought that making my own would be a great project. I will post the results when they are ready.
LE - Thanks, I knew someone out there must make sucha thing. I’ll check them out.
Gotta love this place!
"… I’ve been lurking/reading/studying the content here for some time and only occasionally post… "
5 posts in 10 months …you’re not kidding !!
" And now… the ‘Swaylocks Self-Control Award ’ goes to ’ Onemunk’… COME ON DOWN !! ‘’
[ I should be so controlled…teach me how, please !! … I think I may be a contender for the "out-of-control manic posting award " ! ]
Anyway, I look forward to seeing your fins…I always look forward to a good fin photo !
ben
Hey onemunk,
Trueames also makes small box fins in sizes 2.5" to 6", which should cover everything from 2+1 to thruster to twin with a trailer. trueames.com
Retro,
Good lead - The group of fins built for thin tails could be especially helpful. I’m going to order a couple of sizes.
Best,
Herb
Do I win a Swaylocks T-shirt! What about a new set of fins?!? I guess I am a bit of a mushroom here! I am big believer in listen, read, try, then speak. Maybe I have taken it to the extreme though!
Thanks again, time to fire up that sander and start foiling. Back to the archives for me!