I understand there are many variables, conditions, boards, abilities etc. but, generally speaking what are the PROS(strengths) & CONS(weaknesses) of each?
To help focus assume a midlength (7’-8’) single fin egg design.
Search the archives mate, this stuff is all in there…
My personal preference is a rigid, thick foiled fin. There are of course differing opinions on this subject. Best answer is try both, see which one makes your board come alive. What works best for you, is the correct answer.
i like thick stiffys as well
personally i like stiff fins more that’s not to say there better than flex fins but a good flex fin can be hard to find and achieve, there are many flex fins but only the best work well. too much flex or plasticy fins kill drive. i’m a fibreglass fan.
I think you can engineer a flex fin to beat a rigid fin every time.
Its a question of keeping the flex in the plane of toe-in…
Having a hard limit to the amount of flex…
Having pre-load to stabilize the fin in the natural position…
Using the right shape fin…
Hi Blakestah, that bulb tipped flex fin which I made (and which flexes about 2 inches each side at the tip of the bulb) has almost all of its flex in the plane of toe in, and it feels drivey, am rather stoked with it. Keeping the flex in the plane of toe in seems to be a matter of having a lot of rake and area in the tip, and a fairly shallow fin.
