Got a longboard (bit of an all rounder really) coming to me with a 2+1 set up. Been advised on a 8 inch rake fin or 8.5 inch flex fin for the middle fin - I'm around 6ft tall and 90 kg. I'm wondering if the two fins are going to be very different and if so which will be a better bet for someone who's only been surfing for a year. I've heard that flex fins can be a bit more forgiving for someone of my ability so might be better suited but I should get the slightly larger fin due to the flex? Can someone explain is that is true as I have also been told by another that a solid fin will be more stable and will give me better hold and direction which is better for someone my level. And of couse...someone else has said you won;t notice any difference so don't get too hung up about it! Suppose the latter maybe true to an extent.....but I'd like to hear any views from folk who have used both non flex and flex fins in 2+1 set ups and if they have found them quite different and if there's benefits for someone like me to stick with one or the other.
You probably wouldn’t notice the difference, just like the 70% or so other people (who, nevertheless, will swear that one or the other is the only way to go). Anyway, whichever fin you choose to go with, you’ll get used to it quite fast. What you need right now is a board that catches waves, lots of. This is what will make your surfing better and better.
I, for one, am not ashamed to say that, after 40 years surfing, I’m not 100% certain that I would notice a difference. Especially since a number of fins that are labelled as “flex” don’t show much more flex than others…
Got a longboard (bit of an all rounder really) coming to me with a 2+1 set up. Been advised on a 8 inch rake fin or 8.5 inch flex fin for the middle fin - I'm around 6ft tall and 90 kg. I'm wondering if the two fins are going to be very different and if so which will be a better bet for someone who's only been surfing for a year. I've heard that flex fins can be a bit more forgiving for someone of my ability so might be better suited but I should get the slightly larger fin due to the flex? Can someone explain is that is true as I have also been told by another that a solid fin will be more stable and will give me better hold and direction which is better for someone my level. And of couse...someone else has said you won;t notice any difference so don't get too hung up about it! Suppose the latter maybe true to an extent.....but I'd like to hear any views from folk who have used both non flex and flex fins in 2+1 set ups and if they have found them quite different and if there's benefits for someone like me to stick with one or the other.
Many thanks.
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Flexor, Flex fins are tricky to surf because if you are not on top of the fin it may flex against what you are expecting, which will cause you to loose control of the board. Foiling a flex fin proper is another trick in itself, go to Greg Liddle's website and he will give you a insite to the foil concept of flex fins. Flex fins should not get mixed up with regular fins with tip flex. Most fins have some tip flex to create projection out of turns. In a simple answer to your question, don't use flex fins if you are concerned about stablity. Us a fuller base, less tip slight raked fin for plan shape flex. This is a stabler feel for most like yourself. Hope this helps my friend. Mahalo, Larry
Personally, I think putting a flex fin as the center fin on a 2+1 is not the way to go. I prefer a 7" or 7.5" cutaway with sidebites, but if you don’t like that idea, I recommend a smaller rake style fin template for someone of your ability. To really feel the benefits of a flex fin, I have to ride it as a single.
From above post: “To really feel the benefits of a flex fin, I have to ride it as a single.”
Fin performance is best understood and felt on a single fin board simply because things are less complicated. However If you change the flex patter of the fins on a thruster from very stiff to flexible ones you wille experience a huge difference in performance and this relationship of performance to fin flexibility Holds for Twins,Twinzers, Quads, 2+1, six shooters, singles or what ever kind of fin set-up one can dream up.
With the huge number of fin options presently available it can be quite confusing to pick out what will work best for you, your board and the condtions you surf. There are some general rules to follow. I have a few, but before I go spouting off in generalities I’d like to hear what a few voices of experience have to say.
From above post: "To really feel the benefits of a flex fin, I have to ride it as a single."
Fin performance is best understood and felt on a single fin board simply because things are less complicated. However If you change the flex patter of the fins on a thruster from very stiff to flexible ones you wille experience a huge difference in performance and this relationship of performance to fin flexibility Holds for Twins,Twinzers, Quads, 2+1, six shooters, singles or what ever kind of fin set-up one can dream up.
With the huge number of fin options presently available it can be quite confusing to pick out what will work best for you, your board and the condtions you surf. There are some general rules to follow. I have a few, but before I go spouting off in generalities I'd like to hear what a few voices of experience have to say.
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Well, my board is 9ft 2 23x 2 /3/4 Performance Noserider, I'm learning the ropes and surf on small to medium beach breaks.......but I don; thave an experienced voice I'm afraid!