Had my first made out this weekend and I was absolutely stoked. I kept kind of smiling and reminding myself that I was riding something made by myself - A very fulfilling adventure. The actual riding it brought back a lot of great past memories from other ‘first time’ surfing experiences.
Question about fin choices – I’d like to play around trying to loosen the board up. It pulls a really good bottom turn but it is a little awkward when trying to make smaller adjustments on the face and turns off the top.
She’s an 8’0” mini LB shape and usage will be primarily in the 3-5 mushy range. Right now I have a 7.5 center fin (basic fiberglass supply model) and Edge adjustables (thruster size fins and not sidebites) on the sides. The sides are toed ¼ and set 16” up (a great last minute tip from LeeDD) and the center is at 4” up. I did have the center placed more toward the back and plan to move that forward, but I’m thinking a new set altogether will be my answer. Should I get sidebites, and would a cutaway center also help. What size would I try if so?
I had a chance to work out a fin set up recently on a surf trip. Consistent waves and nobody else out… I could make a change and go right back out and try it. I had two sets of side bites - one set had 4 1/2" bases and the other had 3 1/2" bases (standard longboard side bites.) Was using a 4 3/4" high center fin. With the 4 1/2" base side fins, the board wouldn’t quite come around on cutbacks like I wanted. I switched to the smaller set and it really helped. Moving the trailer fin up helped even more. Current small wave set up is with smaller side fins at 14" up and 4 3/4" trailer up 7". I can still go up to the 4 1/2" side bites and slide center fin back, replace center fin with a bigger one or just go with a single. The 2+1 set up is versatile.
Thanks - It sounds like some smaller fins are in order of a try. I’m going order some and play around with the combinations like you suggest.
This present set up is the biggest fin that I’ve ever ridden (only have had normal thrusters setups ). The one real standout on this board was when dropping in - I felt I could really push (lack of better term) into my bottom turn really hard. Past boards seemed to have always wanted to spin on me and I found myself having to nurse into my bottoms (if that makes any sense).
Anyway, after one day of riding, I’m really, really liking the idea of a 2+1 setup for any future boards.
That IS a really nice looking board…with an extemely large tail fin considering you always run the sides.
If it’s smaller than 3’, take out the tail fin, running only the sides…just bank the board hard to turn, don’t try to swivel/pivot…it would spin out.
Smaller tail fin moved farther forward will loosen the combo, but remember, anything which loosens the board also takes something away from power bottom turns and holding power.
It’s the compromise you are looking for, depending on your mood and the waves you are riding.
My tail fins on my two funboards are 3, and 4.5", and sometimes none.
I can’t wait to play with the combinations - very exciting!!
Thanks for the nice comments about the board. 90% percent (conservative est.) of it came from information I received from here. I was def in ‘safe’ rut when purchasing/choosing past boards - so I also thank you for opening my mind.
