I am so disappointed! I built a new board and when I was all done I took it to a local glass house to have FCS plugs put in it for me. I marked off the fin placements and dropped it off. I drew the axis and one cross mark for each fin. I meant that cross mark to be the center of the bore for the rear plug on each fin. The front one would be defined by the template. However, although this made perfect sense to me when I marked it (probably because I did it), it was not so clear. The trailing tip of the fins ended up at my mark. All three fins (it is a 6’5" thruster) are about 1.5" too far forward. I’m so bummed because not only do I shape entirely by hand (major time investment), but I also did very intricate art work on it (a lot more time invested). Now I am very doubtful of its performance. I haven’t talked to the guy that did it yet. He will probably be willing to fix it, but at more cost and “damage” to the board. What will happen with fins shifted forward???
I am so disappointed! I built a new board and when I was all done I took > it to a local glass house to have FCS plugs put in it for me. I marked off > the fin placements and dropped it off. I drew the axis and one cross mark > for each fin. I meant that cross mark to be the center of the bore for the > rear plug on each fin. The front one would be defined by the template. > However, although this made perfect sense to me when I marked it (probably > because I did it), it was not so clear. The trailing tip of the fins ended > up at my mark. All three fins (it is a 6’5" thruster) are about > 1.5" too far forward. I’m so bummed because not only do I shape > entirely by hand (major time investment), but I also did very intricate > art work on it (a lot more time invested). Now I am very doubtful of its > performance. I haven’t talked to the guy that did it yet. He will probably > be willing to fix it, but at more cost and “damage” to the > board. What will happen with fins shifted forward??? GIVE IT A WHIRRLL IT MIGHT SUPRIZE YOU!!! Or you could install another FCS box behind the last center fin box,giving you a double fin placement on the cener fin(check out my 6’-1" surercharged fish on the board page under “experimental”. What’s your placement? 12-1/2" x 5" This is where I usually set my fins on my personnal boards.Herb.
GIVE IT A WHIRRLL IT MIGHT SUPRIZE YOU!!!>>> Or you could install another FCS box behind the last center fin box,giving > you a double fin placement on the cener fin(check out my 6’-1" > surercharged fish on the board page under “experimental”.>>> What’s your placement? 12-1/2" x 5" This is where I usually set > my fins on my personnal boards.Herb. Thanks for the reply Herb. The fins as placed (measured from tail to rear of fin base) are actually 12-1/4" x 4-3/4", which isn’t really 1.5" forward of what I wanted like I said earlier. My initial reaction after picking it up was panic as it was different than what I marked! Sounds like this might be ok based on your numbers. However, they look much further forward than all my other boards. I don’t remember their numbers and I didn’t go measure, but the tip of the center fin on all of them is very near the tip of the tail. The tail extends a good bit beyond the tip of this placement. I don’t know. It may work just fine, but it sure looks wierd to me.
Thanks for the reply Herb. The fins as placed (measured from tail to rear > of fin base) are actually 12-1/4" x 4-3/4", which isn’t really > 1.5" forward of what I wanted like I said earlier. My initial > reaction after picking it up was panic as it was different than what I > marked! Sounds like this might be ok based on your numbers. However, they > look much further forward than all my other boards. I don’t remember their > numbers and I didn’t go measure, but the tip of the center fin on all of > them is very near the tip of the tail. The tail extends a good bit beyond > the tip of this placement. I don’t know. It may work just fine, but it > sure looks wierd to me. To me, it looks weird to have them that far back! An xtra box should solve any riding problems.Post your results back here. I’M JUST DIEING TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU THINK.Herb.
Max - Try Herb’s idea. Another option might be to use smaller fins forward and try something bigger with a little more rake in back (sort of like a longboard 2 + 1.) There are certainly a lot of templates that work with FCS - I would think that with a little experimentation it’ll all work out.
Max - Try Herb’s idea. Another option might be to use smaller fins forward > and try something bigger with a little more rake in back (sort of like a > longboard 2 + 1.) There are certainly a lot of templates that work with > FCS - I would think that with a little experimentation it’ll all work out. I really like both of your ideas Herb and John. Thanks. I will try to scrounge some different fin sizes and experiment a little. I’d love to do the two-position placement, but that would mean two more plugs because it would be too far back to just add a third plug like Herb’s 6’1" supercharged fish. I can’t do the plugs myself (or at least I am ignorant on how to since I’ve never done it) and I don’t want to shell out more cash…yet. I live in Central FL, so I’m waiting for a swell to do some sea trials. By the way - this whole episode has reminded me I have to be more clear sometimes. So, my hint on the plugs was a subtle question on how to install FCS plugs!
Max, My fins are typically set at 11-1/2" X 4". But, our fin system allows me to move my fins 3/8" either side of these marks. I use a fairly vertical template. When I want more drive I will move my side fins forward to 11-7/8" and sometimes increase template size. If I want it looser I will move the side fins back and decrease template size. My new 5 fin bonzer has the side foils set at 10-1/4" & 15". It has a 6-1/2" trailing fin at 5-1/2". It is very loose and drivey. So, if you can’t get what you want from say the small Merrick side fin template and a larger center fin, then you might get it with a 2+1 type set up.
i set my thruster fins at 11 1/4" and 3 1/2" as standard. sounds like you guys are going with measurements farther forward. my thinking has been to place the fins as far back as functionally possible. 5" seems really forward for a trailer. my measurements come from just looking measuring a lot of boards, plus comments i’ve read by some shapers( i believe it was bill johnson who said he always places his fins as far back as the shape will allow. how do you guys come up with your fin measurements?
i set my thruster fins at 11 1/4" and 3 1/2" as standard. > sounds like you guys are going with measurements farther forward. my > thinking has been to place the fins as far back as functionally possible. > 5" seems really forward for a trailer. my measurements come from just > looking measuring a lot of boards, plus comments i’ve read by some > shapers( i believe it was bill johnson who said he always places his fins > as far back as the shape will allow. how do you guys come up with your fin > measurements? 35+ years of boards under my feet…When thrusters first came out,some 21 years ago,the standard setting was 12" x 4" on a wider, thicker tail than by today’s standard.I prefer my settings further up, because they are more responsive,lively,and I can ride the board in a forward position better.I’ve tried every setting there is and this is what works best for me.Herb.
35+ years of boards under my feet…When > thrusters first came out,some 21 years ago,the standard setting was > 12" x 4" on a wider, thicker tail than by today’s standard.I > prefer my settings further up, because they are more responsive,lively,and > I can ride the board in a forward position better.I’ve tried every setting > there is and this is what works best for me.Herb. I have always gone far back like Bruce. I’ve never actually tried further up. But I certainly will be now. Some of the feedback, especially Herb’s, has been very encouraging. Now I just some a swell and I can find out for myself!!!
i think this is where a product like red-x fins could be really cool. thx herb.
I have found the more forward set up to be looser and more able to pivot. and better for a surfer who drives off the front foot. Scott
I am so disappointed! I built a new board and when I was all done I took > it to a local glass house to have FCS plugs put in it for me. I marked off > the fin placements and dropped it off. I drew the axis and one cross mark > for each fin. I meant that cross mark to be the center of the bore for the > rear plug on each fin. The front one would be defined by the template. > However, although this made perfect sense to me when I marked it (probably > because I did it), it was not so clear. The trailing tip of the fins ended > up at my mark. All three fins (it is a 6’5" thruster) are about > 1.5" too far forward. I’m so bummed because not only do I shape > entirely by hand (major time investment), but I also did very intricate > art work on it (a lot more time invested). Now I am very doubtful of its > performance. I haven’t talked to the guy that did it yet. He will probably > be willing to fix it, but at more cost and “damage” to the > board. What will happen with fins shifted forward??? So you haven’t even ridden it yet! I have put fins every where on boards and they all rode, some better, some not some good. Don’t get all predetermined that it is ruined, wax up and give it your best. Moving the fins forward will only make you stand slightly more forward and give a different ride, more of the middle rail.
11 1\4 and 3 1\2 is a good starting point for a 6-2. I go 1\4 inch further of for every 3 inches of board length with a normal tail width. If it’s a board for Waimea or some other spot where you’re farther up and the tail’s really pulled, I go farther up. aloha, tom
Well, in case anyone is interested, I got to ride the board for the first time today. The waves were pretty small (only waist high) but rideable. It wasn’t a good test of the board or the fins, but I can say that I certainly was not disappointed. It did seem to have pretty decent drive as I had to work it a little from the midbreak to the inside. Inside had a little speed and everything seemed to work fine. Like I said, it wasn’t a true test by any means, but seems like I may like it. If not, I can still try different fin configurations. Also, like Jim said it might, I found that it rode better standing slightly more forward than I normally do. Anyway, I think my initial post was more panic over it was not being what I wanted than it was a real problem. Thanks to all that gave input.
Cool! Good to hear it works!