Did a search on this but mostly found info on installation. I’ve never experimented with fins before. I’ve always just used the stock fins. Mostly G-AM’s and G-5’s. I recently had a custom quad shaped by Brian Wynn… great board by the way, I attached a pic. Ok slight detour and shameless plug for a great local shaper who I think is under-rated, but there is a point. The fins are speed dialer turbos. I’ve ridden a friends board with the regular speed dialers and feel like I noticed a slight difference. Of course the boards were different too, but it got me thinking that all along I could have been changing up the feel of my thrusters by experimenting with fins. The fins on my CI Flyer are all beat up so it’s a good excuse. I’m looking for recommendations on FCS fins for my Flyer and for my WRV Fish, a chunky sort of performance fish. I was looking at the M-5, FG-5, K-3, and K2.1. For the Flyer (G-AM) I’d like something that might help make tighter harder turns for cutbacks and carves and possibly a second set that would give me more hold in bigger steeper hollow surf. For the WRV (G-5) I’d like something that is loser for quicker turns and snaps or that could give the board more drive. Guess I’m just looking to breath some life into some older boards. Any suggestions?
checkout surffcs.com they now have a fin selecter to aid people to choose fins to suit their boards whether its a new board or recommendations for changing present fins, regards.
I just realised that I am now allowed to have an objective opinion on what fins feel best with what as my real motives would have always been questioned before. That’s a little cryptic, not to me though.
Anyway with your quad, I have been testing almost every combination for the last 3-4 years of FCS fins in every size and flavour.
The best combination of fins for a quad really depends on what kind of board you are riding and in particular what fin placements your plugs are. My favourite quad is set up at front fins 11" up and back fins at 5 1/2" and about 2 and a bit inches from the rail. The toe-in is set up along the lines of the Bruce McKee set up which is a must read website for anyone into quads at all. I would go as far as saying that anyone that has their quads actually working from a performance perspective could be linked back to McKee in some way. Stretch was ‘influenced’ by Cole Simler who was in turn influenced by Bulkley or McKee during a stop at Pukas in Spain. Anyway that’s all history… and somewhat irrelevant to your bottom turn on a 4 foot day.
The best fin set up I have found is 4 x M3’s. Sides in the front and 2 centers in the rear. I weigh about 85 kilos and this board is a 6’2. Check out Bruces site and buy a 6 pack and settle in for a good read and some education that you can apply to your surfing in general.
