fin quiver: general guidlines for tool (fin) vs conditions?

General Discussion
1

OK so I finally decided to start playing with fins and have just bought several new fins to play with. I understand the bascis like how base, rake, flex effect how a fin will effect a board, but what about some guidlines for what fin type best suits what conditions… like mushy, power, steep, hollow, rolly/flat slope ramp, point, reef, beach break…

In other words when I show up break X with conditions Y how do I pick which fin to best make my board work for the conditions on day Z.

So here is my newly expanded fin quiver:

From left to right, top to bottom:

10" Farberow Flex

10" Velvy Noserider

10.5" Heritage

9.5" Turbo Tunnel

9" Fiber Fin Co, California

Here is the 2 boards I have for experimenting with:

Both boards are similar:

Yellow and White: 10’6" x 17.5"(n) x 24.5"(c) x 14.5"(t) x 6"(p) x 4" (mine)

Red and White: 10’6" x 18"(n) x 24"(c) x 16"(t) x 8"(p) x 3.5" (brothers bday present)

Both came from a 10’7H with the +3/4"n +1/4"t from 24".

Both double 6oz deck and 6oz bottom glassed with Resin Research epoxy.

The yellow has boxier/fuller rails and more belly.

The red has thinner/pinched rails with belly just near the rails and flat out the tail.

The red also has more rocker with considerable more tail kick.

for those going to SA-05 in Big Sur this weekend please continue my education there. I’ll have all my fins and both boards.

937×605 22.4 KB


2

bump… (editted)

Just tried the 10" Velzy Nose Rider today for the first time in the big yellow cruiser. It really livened up the board. Also had some great nose rides…

Nice walled up 2-4’ at Blackies (Newport Pier). (peaking takeoffs into small peeling walls)

Based on previous inputs this was the fin I thought would work best for these boards.

Used the Heritage once in week mushy waves. Way more fin than big yellow needs. Made the board feel a little stiff. Similar feel to a report Benny1 once gave a bout BIG boards not needing as big/full fin. This one was really intended for a noserider not yet to be built.

The Turbo Tunnel ( previous report ) was good for nose riding but did not keep the board as loose as the Velzy.

The 9" California didn’t do much for the board. A little under sized.

Have not tried the Josh yet, nor given the Heritage a fare try yet.

Need to play with all under more conditions still.

Would love some tips on fin selection for given conditions/wave types.

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Hi Forrest !

I look forward to more progress reports .

I get the feeling you will be the answer to your own questions , and this will end up being a good "product review " learning thread for us .

I ride different sized boards [no mals …yet] and fins to you , and I sense our waves here are different to yours too, so anything I contribute would be fairly irrelevant to the vast majority of readers here , unfortunately .

( However , if you like , I could p.m. you my board sizes , shapes , and fin setups , if you would find it useful …it could take me a while , be warned , though ,to get through them all !)

Also , it might be worth "p.m."ing Rich Halcyon [hope you don’t mind , Rich ??]

…I found him to be VERY knowledgeable and helpful , when it comes to fin[s] / board combinations. Plus , of course , he is also riding Californian waves , as you are , so will be more aware / used to their ‘characteristics’.

okay , I hope that helps, mate !

cheers !

ben

4

Hey 4est

I love reviews like this and I’m in the process of doing something simliar. (Pnce all the boards are shaped and I’m halfway there)

Not with Fins presay, but with different fin setups in similar boards that are basicially the same in dims and rocker, yet have the differnt configurations. (Bonzer(5), Single, and thruster).

Diffentley let us know all your results. Trying the differnt stuff out is half the fun.

I would like to suggest my favorite single fin for the bigger LB’s.

The Greenough 4A

I have the 9.75" in my 9’9" Ultraglide and love it.

I’m putting a 8" in my 7’6" single that is in the glassing both right now.

There is this version and a 10" that might work our well with you for those boards.

I hope you get to try one.

Good Luck and keep us in the loop.

5

Hello Forest ,

I’m too often influenced by “the LOOK”. Yeah that fin looks killer !

It will be interesting to hear more about your tests. Looks like a good fin selection for your boards.

The orange fins in my avatar are in a 6"11" Mini Log. I’m enjoying the drive of the large 70’s center fin. I had a 6" tail fin in the board and it was much looser but I like the big fin better. (And it looks good!)

Ray

6
Quote:

Just tried the 10" Velzy Nose Rider today for the first time in the big yellow cruiser. It really livened up the board.

Good for you 4est!! feels great to find a magic “recipe”.