FCS PC-CRV Curved Fins

I still have the four I pictured earlier ,

 

I hope to give the local big wave chargers here a few goes on them , in the serious waves we get here .

 

  [see 'happy days’photo thread , for shots of the current conditions … if you like ?]

 

  my nephew Eli has ridden them in large surf ,

 

  and

 

in smaller waves , he commented that 'they helped ', when landing airs …

 

  cheers !

 

  ben

used them since they first came out I think I have like four sets

they came out as carbon fibers by Greg Webber for FCS

like PPK said they were all the rage as side fins on HP lonboards especially with a nice 7-9" cutaway in the center box

When I bought the 7’6" Rex Manta, the guy had four of them in.

in the 90’s i heard the combo was mixing the Webber CRVs with either the H2’s or the 3D Redtip which all came out about the same time

 



 

 

A 9’ 6" Renny Yater carbon fiber Longboard. Fins work great with this set up. As I’ve mentioned before, the Center Fin, keeps your direction of flow consistant and Not all wobbley like a Two Fin set up. 10 - 12 foot Hanalei with no problems and smaller beach breaks, they work just fine for me and nose riding. And by moving the Center fin up in the slot, in gets looser or further back, it will keep you in tighter, for a more long drawn out bottom turn.

 

 

 

 

Dig that board Peter.

Several years ago I ran into Be Aipa in te parking lot at Kaisers/Bowls. He just finished surfing and was getting ready to leave. I asked him what he was doing board wise and he pulled out his board to show me. The thing I remember most was the curved fins on the sides and the Redfin with the winged tip in the center slot. He said he really liked that combination. He also showed me how he made a change to the FCS center fin adapter. He said the bad thing about the adapter was that you can easily lose your fin. He drilled a hole through one of the tabs and used a pin to hold the fin in solid. I always liked that Ben would take the time and explain whatever he was into at the time. He showed me a small center keel fin. He was telling me how the side fins were doing most of the work and the small center was just to keep the board on line and not getting squirrelly. Very similar to what PPK is saying. He said his old twin fins had a deep double concave and very pronounced vee. He said that he used that deep vee in the tail to give the twin more control. It was like having a long keel fin. Same as having a twin with the small keel way back. I think Slater or someone else uses them with quads for more stability.

 …ah yes , with the winged back fin was what my board supplies guy in west oz recommended too, thanks for reminding me , my mate stuey SWORE by this setup in big hollow lefts in the north west

 

and …harry and … bernie … thanks for the photos , guys !

I’m making some more curved side fins this week , by the way …

 

…to be continued …    :slight_smile:

A few other comments about the CRV’s…

  1. They must have the additional cant due to the tips not emerging beyond the rail. While surfing in some heavy surf a while back, I was pushed way out in the flats and upon my attempt to get back into the wave the fin lost it’s grab and I started to slide out. This ride ended in a bad beating. Lesson Learned. (always wondered if a couple small rail fins would have helped)

  2. I would like to hear more comments about folks that have tried these fins in bigger or powerful surf. When I say big, I mean at least 20 ft face waves with power.

  3. My limited experence in big surf has showed me that they make the board feel much more stable and in control. I was always afraid to try them in bigger surf until the last few years. 

  4. Another tid-bit about installation. I recall hearing from FCS or Greg Webber that they do not require as much tow. 1/8" max. 

  5. As far as what I feel about how and why they work is simple. They just hold so much more water (or more lift)… Cupped hand vrs. flat hand out the window while flying down the highway…?

  6. Aways wanted to make a smaller version. They are kind of big for a short board.

Keep surfing!

I’ve made a few different sized sets , now … green tinted , milky white , carbon  fibre inlay , blue too…

http://www.swaylocks.com/forums/curved

 

  cheers !

 

  ben

where can I buy some curved fins?. have been trying to get some everywhere with no luck.

live in CR

i will pay for the center fin fcs pc crv