Preliminary Wavegrinder fin report...

…not an anal-ytical treatise. Provided in response to the 2 requests posted in Thrailkill’s thread.

I mail-ordered it about 10 days prior to Christmas, received it within a few days, have been out on it 6 times in Mel Bch area in semiclean surf ranging from stomach to shoulder high, attached to my 8’ real McCoy Nugget.

As can be seen on the site, it’s a high-aspect 10" pivot with stubby winglets. Well made, nice foil all-around, more straight lines and right angles than I’ve seen in any fin.

I generally don’t care for pivots as singles but this one is a step up, qualitatively similar to, but quantitatively less in effect than the winged keel/Starfin which is one of my favorites, particularly with the McCoy. In direct comparison it does not feel as positive, as stable, as responsive in short-arc turns or, bit of surprise, pivot snaps. It does not seem to have the rider positioning-on-the-board acceleration of the winged keel but maintenance of speed is less dependent on shifting weight or position forward. It strikes me as snappy and fast.

It’s significant to note that on 4 of the better condition days I went in to switch to the winged keel. I’ll likely give it a try on both shorter and longer boards, maybe even with a 3" as a fore or aft in-line.

pau…aloha and mahalo!

Onuela, I read your longer response with the Q’s prior to your edit, didn’t have time to reply 'til now.

Yes, I ran the 'grinder from center to both box extremes and couldn’t generate the directional change quickness that I get from the winged keel, something I need in our sectiony breach breaks.

I have two McCoy Gullwings, I’ve forgotten the model names but one’s “standard” and the other’s larger with an elongated tip. I found both to be a bit more tracky than I like.

I’m guessing that both the 'grinder and the gulls would work better for me in the larger, more shapely surf that you have available, where longer, smoother swooping lines can be drawn.

Hope you can get back with your impressions of the 'grinder. Be well.