I have a 5’9" C.I. Flyer in my shop for ding repair. I was checking out the vitals on this board and noticed that the fins are only toed in 1/8". Why would this particular design use such a small amount of toe in?
Dave_D
Flyer is a small wave design.
Small waves equal less power, so you gotta get more speed.
Straighter fins are faster than toe’d in fins, I’ll let you figure that one out.
I’m sorta confused, my 6’1" Flyer had the fins toed in 1/4" before I retro-fitted it.
On a flatter rockered board like a 6’1" Flyer, the 1/4" toe in lets the rider get maximal thrust, maximal speed generation, while sacrificing a little turning radius. The Flyer likes to generate speed, not as great for vert surfing or in really hollow waves.
On a more rockered board with less toe in, the board is optimized for shorter turning radii. Thrust may be generated, but only on shorter radius turns, and not so powerfully as the Flyer example. However, the hold in the barrel improves, and making quick bottom turns to run straight into the lip becomes a lot easier. If you’re not great going rail to rail this kinda of board might feel real tough to ride or tracky and slow.
As far as i know, unless they changed it, all merricks get a 1/4 inch of toe in. until you get into the guns.
Aloha Dave
I measure toe in by its relationship to the nose. So I don’t know what your 1/8" means in my world.
If you can tell me where the fins are pointing in relation to the nose I can give you some suggestions as to where I would have pointed them and why.
Aloha Bill,
The 1/8" toe in puts the fins being pointed so far off the nose that its hard to measure. I’m used to 2 to 6 inches when measured that way. I’m thinking it is a mistake by the glassing shop.
Dave_D
I measure the distance across the board from fin to fin. The leading edge distance should be 1/2" less than the trailing edge distance.
Aloha Dave
Those fins are really straight. I am not sure why. I make mostly custom boards so all my fins are adjusted a bit for each rider, board and surf condition. CI makes mostly stock boards to a set standard. I don’t know why they would use such a straight one. Maybe it is a mistake like you said.
Depending on the width of the tail, I would have pointed the fins about 1" off the nose assuming the board was designed to be highly maneuverable and the surfer was up to the task.
To be fair though, on a board that short and small, in weak waves, the rider can force the board around a lot easier and can overcome many bad design characteristic through brute force. In High Powered North Shore sufing surfobards can absorb so much energy that it is sometimes hard to control the board if it isn’t designed properly.
“I measure toe in by its relationship to the nose. So I don’t know what your 1/8” means in my world"
yeah bro, me too… in fact ( im sure not too many people will care, but) i have been keeping a rather detailed speadsheet document of all my creations, complete with rider feedback.
it deals in wide points relative to mid points, fin toes, splays(cant), various other differentials… and of course, “measurement X” (as i call it)- the distance off the stringer that a projected line (thru a side fin) passes thru the forward rail.
sorry if that sounded as spastic as i think it did…
but, at just a quick glance at my speadsheet, i can compare all my shapes (down to precise numerical quantities) ,and using the feedback ( much of it my own personal riding) many “trends” and “majic” numbers show through…
in a way, eliminating some of the unknowns, and setting very clear parameters that i can follow when shaping/designing/setting out fins etc, to achieve a certain “kind of board”
*post script… in fact in reflection, many of you, im sure, have a similar chart in place?
but thats my 10 cents anyhow!! ( actually with inflation nowadays its 16 cents)
*post-post-script… if i could work my computer better i could have just attached my rude speadsheet to this post, and eliminated alot of painful typing ( yeah i manage about 7 w.p.m)
Aloha Heist
Good going. Having a data base to refer to is essential.
After the collection of data the next requirement is being good enough with one’s hands to replicate the data into tangible form.
The reason most don’t collect data is two things. They are too lazy and don’t think it will make enough difference. Or they already know their hands won’t accurately go were the data will require.
Then of course…that is their loss and your gain! Keep up the good work.