I have a small wave thruster with a 15 inch tail and FCS plugs/fins that I am contemplating converting into a c-5. I guess on the Rusty version the main fins are clustered a bit closer than on a standard thruster. So what I want to know is if anyone around here has converted a standard thruster and if so, how did it go? I plan on using the FCS plugs and the Rusty canard fins. I figure if I hate it I can just pull the fins out and go back to riding it as a thruster. If you did convert one and it worked well, what was your fin placement?
I just finished mine this past weekend (fcs). I used Herb’s supercharger set up. I wasn’t able to try it out yet, Mother nature was not cooperating. Anyone who has tried his set up could give you some feedback. They are all based on traditional/typical thruster setups. They are smaller than the c5 canards and sit 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" toward the rail from the tip of your front fins, with the center of them in line with the tip of the front of the fins. I have made a few boards based on Rusty’s c5 setup, and did not really like them. It seemed like they created more drag, I also did like changing my fin setup from what I was use to. From what I hear Herb’s setup lessen drag and helps with down the line drive. I can’t wait to try them out. Herb could give you info, and you could check the archives for superchargers.
GWS I think we’ve had this conversation with you before,haven’t we? My freaken E-MAIL is out again ,and gateway is about to close it’s door on internet services so they probably don’t give a rats ass about;if I can send or recieve mail.If you want a Rusty type C-5 go for it,but I can tell you this it’s not my cup of tea compared to my Superchargers.Herb.
gws i installed pugs on my last board and didn’t get the charger placements exact, they’re sorta in between herbs setup and rustys. i’ve been using elliptical c5 fins a lot, and i love the feel. carries speed better, you can push off the bottom as hard as you want, and just has this cool feeling of being on rails. i really like the way it holds a high line even on really steep late take offs but i haven’t found it stiff or tracky like some c-5’rs say. i used more tail rocker than my std. thrusters and toed in the main side fins a bit more than usual(@ 2" behind the nose). the boards a 7’2" semi gun. i also find a slightly smaller trailer fin works well. try it you’l like it.
Thanks Herb. Great memory. I still have your e-mail saved on my other computer I believe. Ill check when I get home. If I dont still have it, I would definitely like to connect with you regarding fin placement. Ordinarily I ride Bonzers or twin fins, but I had a thruster made a few months back just so I would have something normal in my quiver. (My only other thruster is an 84 gun) Compared to my Bonzers, thrusters just feel slow to me. I get on my thruster, ride a wave, kick out and turn the board over looking to see if I picked up kelp on my leash. Anyway, I thought I would try the board as some kind of a C-5 five fin since I have never ridden one and I can possibly convert my thruster instead of doing a new board. Does your setup work with standard thruster fin placement or do you cluster your main fins as does Rusty? On Rustys website I found the following: Place the little fins so that they have a slight overlap with the main fins. The rear of the small fin should roughly split the distance from the rail to the main fin Try the small fins angled out slightly more than the main fins Try the small fins pointing to approximately the same place as the main fins (Those last two really confused me)
Repost to make it easier to read. I guess cut and paste from Word is not a good idea for this board. Thanks Herb. Great memory. I still have your e-mail saved on my other > computer I believe. I’ll check when I get home. If I > don’t still have it, I would definitely like to connect with you > regarding fin placement. Ordinarily I ride Bonzers or twin fins, but I had > a thruster made a few months back just so I would have something > normal in my quiver. (My only other thruster is an > 8’4" gun) Compared to my Bonzers, thrusters just feel > slow to me. I get on my thruster, ride a wave, kick out and turn the board > over looking to see if I picked up kelp on my leash.>>> Anyway, I thought I would try the board as some kind of a C-5 five fin > since I have never ridden one and I can possibly convert my thruster > instead of doing a new board. Does your setup work with standard thruster > fin placement or do you cluster your main fins as does Rusty?>>> On Rusty’s website I found the following:>>> Place the little fins so that they have a slight overlap with > the main fins.>>> The rear of the small fin should roughly split the distance from the rail > to the main fin>>> Try the small fins angled out slightly more than the main fins>>> Try the small fins pointing to approximately the same place as the main > fins>>> (Those last two really confused me)
try the little fins 1 1/8" - 1 1/4" off the side fins. cannards centered on leading edge of sides( a little further back than rusty). same toe and cant as side fins, or a little less toe and a little more cant if you want to experiment a bit. these are herbs specs but i’m sure he’ll give you more specifics.
i didn’t group the main fins closer together, don’t see the need esp. with the supercharger set up. set my main thrusters at about 3 1/2" and 11 1/4".
i didn’t group the main fins closer together, don’t see the need esp. > with the supercharger set up. set my main thrusters at about 3 1/2" > and 11 1/4". There is no need to change the cluster with my set-ups.Herb
Thanks Bruce. try the little fins 1 1/8" - 1 1/4" off the side fins.-Bruce Just want to make sure I have this correct. Your talking about the measurement between the trailing edge of the canard and the outside of the main side fin, correct? Did you use the FCS canards or did you use Herbs fin template? Is Herbs template smaller or larger than the FCS canards? Can I get a Spitzer fin by reshaping one of the FCS fins?
Damn. Did it again.>>> Thanks Bruce.>>> “try the little fins 1 1/8” - 1 1/4" off the side > fins."-Bruce>>> Just want to make sure I have this correct. Your talking about the > measurement between the trailing edge of the canard and the outside of the > main side fin, correct?>>> Did you use the FCS canards or did you use Herb’s fin template?>>> Is Herb’s template smaller or larger than the FCS canards? Can I > get a Spitzer fin by reshaping one of the FCS fins?
i marked out my main fin set up, then made marks for the cannards by measuring out from the leading edge of that mark(main side fin) 1 1/8th" toward the rail. i set my cannards parallel with the side fins and with the same cant, although according to herb you can also set them a hair straighter than the side fins, as well as cant them out a degree or two more. i switch the small fins around a bunch. herbs fins vary from very small to slightly smaller than the rusty’s, depending on board type. i use rustys too(i like their elliptical keel fin). you could prob. reshape rustys w/out too much trouble, or might be able to get herb to make you some. he set me up with an array of charger fins and never asked for any money( i did pay him what i could but i’m sure it wasn’t enough). herb, maybe i should be your L.A. supercharger rep?..(just kiddin ) good luck
There is no need to change the cluster with my set-ups.Herb I have added the c-5 set up a bunch of times and they work well in good waves but slow you down on small ones also use a 10 degree cant
i marked out my main fin set up, then made marks for the cannards by > measuring out from the leading edge of that mark(main side fin) 1 > 1/8th" toward the rail. i set my cannards parallel with the side fins > and with the same cant, although according to herb you can also set them a > hair straighter than the side fins, as well as cant them out a degree or > two more. i switch the small fins around a bunch. herbs fins vary from > very small to slightly smaller than the rusty’s, depending on board type. > i use rustys too(i like their elliptical keel fin). you could prob. > reshape rustys w/out too much trouble, or might be able to get herb to > make you some. he set me up with an array of charger fins and never asked > for any money( i did pay him what i could but i’m sure it wasn’t enough). > herb, maybe i should be your L.A. supercharger rep?..(just kiddin )>>> good luck …GWS, IF YOU NEED ANY OF MY CHARGERS LET ME KNOW,AND THANKS FOR THE BACK-UP,ABOVE,Herb.