I’d appreciate some direction and insight into the Greenough 4-A volan fin. I’m going to use it on the 7’3" Florida shortboard that I shaped and a 70s 7’6" Sunset board that has a lot of weight to it. Also add in the fact that I’m about 6’2" and 200 pounds, I’m thinking I could go with the 8" or even 8.5" version. I currently use the Rainbow Justin Quintal flex fin and it’s 8.5" but only about 25.75" squared total surface area from the best I can tell. the 8" Greenough fin is 29.2" squared and the 8.5" jumps to 32.83" squared. my thought is that with the 8" Greenough fin it will add enough surface area to handle the weight of the Sunset and me, but still leave some wiggle room for maneuverability. thanks in advance for any advice!
I’d go with the 8.5". Those are wide tailed boards, and I’d want the extra depth. I think the Greenough fin picks up the extra area due to the length and bulk of fin base. Great for drive, but I’d want the stability of the extra length.
I’m not scared to go that big. the JQ flex fin is a pretty small narrow fin, but I caught a really nice winter swell in February down in Cocoa a couple of years ago and it was surprisingly stable. granted I went out at one of my go to spots when it gets big like that, so it was only about 3-5 feet but solid ground swell. I don’t mind surfing bigger waves but not when it’s beach break so I usually go to a spot where the paddle out isn’t like competing in a triathlon. anyway, I was more inclined toward the 8", but the 8.5" would probably diversify my fin collection a little better. thanks!
Given what you’ve posted, my choice would be the 8 inch fin. My experiences, over the years, have revealed to me that you just do not need a fin over 8 inches deep. Frankly, I don’t think you need a fin much over 7 1/2 inches deep, for the majority of waves, and board designs. My experiences range from Calif. beaches and reefs, and Hawaii reefs on the North Shore, and the west side of Oahu. All sizes.
decisions, decisions! the reason I went with the 8.5" JQ fin is because it’s just such a small fin compared to other single fins. I don’t know how it compares to the smaller version of it, but I really like the way it perfoms. the surface area of the Greenough 8.5" is considerably more than the JQ and going on the fact that I’m in FL and don’t really surf much bigger stuff, I may go with the 8". hell, maybe I’ll flip a coin or consult my horoscope. I’ll let you guys know which one I got and leave some feedback after some R&D.
I have ridden the 8" 4-a in a variety of boards and found quite early on that a smaller fin works better. I used the 4-a cause everyone said it was the best fin for a single. It works, but I’ve found a smaller fin to be a much better option.
I’ve really come to enjoy the 7" and 7.5 yeater template.
I’ve found it to be very responsive and never a lack of hold.
I’ve used them in boards with quite similar outlines as yours as well.
I’m 6’2 - 215.
Add some boxes and make em twinkles - mind will be blown.
See if you can borrow some fins before you make a purchase. Or ask the local shop if you can test ride em -
I know of quite a few shapers from Santa Barbara to Crescent City and on up into Oregon who are shaping similar wide tailed boards. Round, Diamond, Squash and Square. Many of them have settled in on Rainbow’s Andreini Flex series of fins. Not CNC’ed in China.
looks like a cool fin for what you’re doing or maybe an egg or longboard but I don’t think it will work for my application. I wouldn’t be opposed to giving them a try, I just think a more conventional single fin will work better. and I know that break, one of my favorite spots when I visit my buddy in Goleta. I’m hoping to catch it in April.
on my wide tail boards…mostly using the 7.25 and the 8 inch…like the controlled side slip also…some times I can feel the tail undulating…
