Building my first board, a 10’6"x19"x24"16"x3.5ish" from a 10’7"H blank.
The plan is to do a 2+1 fin setup. What size center fin is standard for a big cruiser like this? Then what fin would be a good starting point for use as a single fin?
I know this is like opening a religious discussion, but what are the basics here? Also will fin box placement change when planning for 2+1 vs single?
Sorry to all the fin gurus, but too much info in the archives for me to sort through on this one. Data overload!
Oh and is there a big difference in basic fins? i.e. do I need to be careful were/what I buy or can I buy on price?
I would be an unusual board that had these specks that did well with a 2+1 set up. Put the rail fin boxes in if you must but I don’t think you’ll gain much advantage from them. Shaping the tail rocker in properly is a far better solution to getting nice turning advantage on a board this size IMHO.
Fin depth will vary depending on the conditions you surf.
But generally speaking a 10" Velzy Nose Rider would work fine. If you want more drive and a stiffer feel then go a Billy Hamilton single or California Classic or Wingnut long rake.
I’ve attached a photo of the tail of my 9’10" Hap Jacobs with a 9.25" Whiteside fin, which serves this board beautifully in small or big as I’m willing to take the board out in.
The only other fin template I can think of that will serve this board well would be a custom built Weber Hatchet fin at about 9.5". Because of the the massive surface area at the tip it would nose ride beautifully and give you a lot of holding power.
OK here is my take on it. At 10’6" it is hard to get the board to go rail to rail and get much drive out of the side bites, but you can put side bites in and go with a smaller center fin. This will make the board hold the face OK, and make it easier to turn. If you are truly making a cruzer, stay with one fin. I just picked up a 10.5 True Ames Heritage fin for my 11-6. For your 10’6" a 10 or a 9.75 would work great. But there are many good fins that would work great on a board like that. I would place the fin box at 5 to 5.25 inch from the tail. I like my cruzers to have the tip of the fin setting off the end of the tail. On a board like this good tail kick is very important, not too much. I wish I could tell you what is best but I just don’t know. I do like that 10’7" Harbour blank with 1" extra tail rocker the last 36 inches. Good luck.
my 10’7"H blank came from FoamEZ as +3/4N+1/4T (contemporary rocker option) starting 24" tip/tail. Much to JimTheGenius dislike, I’m measuring 10’6" along the bottom and cutting evenly from each end. I was not planning to increase the tail rocker as I want paddle speed and wave entry not noseride from this one. Figure the volume will let it nose ride OK anyhow. Is this a mistake (not adding additional tail rocker)? I was going to put a little V in to help edge to edge.
I surf SoCal so Kelp.
Does any of this new info change fin suggestions?
Sidebitters could always be added later right?
With the width will I want them for holding power?
Well placed fin boxes will serve your purposes fine.
You can experiment with fins. The tail rocker in the board is what will let it turn easily. A little flip back there isn’t going to slow you down paddling as much as rail fins or a big center fin.
If you really want your “cruiser” to be a cruiser I would go with single fin. Contrary to trend since 60s, many guys are going back to deeper (as much as 11"), wider (up to 9" base), thicker (as much as 3/4") fins without much rake and set way back over tail for cruisers. Tom Wegener, who surfs really long boards has some good comments and advice on this so check out his site: www.tomwegenersurfboards.com
Agree with the Heritage. Great fin. Use it on a 10’2" noserider with a 16" tail (at 12" up) and it holds on walled-up waves where that wide tail used to slide ass with other fins.
