Hi folks. Im currently agonising over a new fin. I’ve got a 7’ 4" rounded pin, single fin mal.
The rails are soft until the last 13" or so where they square off. The box is placed, roughly 10-12" from the tail. I’m pretty sure which fin I want but I’d just like some expert options/advice on relationship between rails and fins.
Picture attached of the fin design. Thanks for your time people
Hey man,
Definately not an expert, but that fin looks to me like it is for a real deal longboard. especially being 10.25 inches and all. definately go smaller for a 7’4 pintail mal. a fin in 7-8 inch range would prob work better. I dont think you are going to need all of that fin. I would look at a more performance oriented fin as well. Maybe a greenough template or a Parrish. just my opinion though
If the box is putting the trailing edge of the fin way far forward then that would be similar to what they’re doing with the Liddle-style displacement hulls and other midlengths that trace back to the Transition era. Noserider-type longboard designs position the fin further back near the tail block so it will hold when you’re up front.
Show us a pic of the board?
Nice one. I guess less area = less resistance. I want to be able to turn the board on a dime (or penny in my case, being in England) and put the after burners on down the line. Cheers for the reply. The more input I have, the better.
Given your desire, read up on threads, in the archives, which discuss thick foiled fins. Thick means 3/4th inch, or more. Eight inches will be pleanty of fin. Don’t set your box too far forward.
7’ 4"x21 3/4"x2 3/4"
Cheers, Bill. Much appreciated
“The box is placed 10-12” from tail"…
If I were you I’d look around for a fin with the screw tab up front. Consider cutting away a portion of the tab from the back edge and redrill the pivot pin hole so you can move the fin farther back in the box. The trailing edge of the fin itself could even hang over the end of the box and effectively compensate for the box being so far forward.
As a point of reference I have 2 modern single fin longboards that are 10’ long and the boxes are at 6.5" and 7" from the tail. Some of the Liddle hull single fins are quite a bit farther up than yours so don’t fret too much on it. I just mention the cutaway idea to give you more room to play with it.
Hi Marley. I was confused by this thread. In my view there is no such thing as a 7-4 mal(mini malibu). I thought you mistyped and were talking about a 9-4 mal. I put that exact fin in a board I made for a friend. His is a 9-6 longboard(mal if you will). Your board I would call an egg or perhaps a speed egg because of the pulled in round pin tail. I’ve had many boards similar to yours and I would not use that fin in that board. Its a ‘mal’ fin. Rainbow Fins has several fins in the 7.5 to 9 inch range with different flexes, etc, depending on what you like. Personally, I prefer stiffer fins. Especially, when the surf has a bit of power. Your box is too far up in my view unless your board is a Liddle type hull. Can’t see the bottom. Your board has a pleasing outline. Mike
IMO
9" Greenough 4a. Maybe bigger due to the width of the tail at the fin.
That board is about working on your style and making some committed bottom turns. It’s not about trying to pump a fin cluster for speed or breaking the tail loose.
committed bottom turns sounds rad. Cheers.
Hello Mike. Thanks for the reply. I had estimated the fin box placement from memory, turns out my memory is rubbish. The box is 5.25 from tail and the tail itself comes to a satisfying point. I haven’t heard the term speed egg before!! Sounds sick. The general feeling from this thread is I should go for 7-9" of fin with some degree of flex. your thoughts would be appreciated. Cheers again.
I have used Rainbow fiins in all my boards they are great. I used the Garrett Spencer Noserider** **in 9.5" but on a 10 foot noserider it worked good, very like the shape you show in your post. Too much fin for a 7’ 4". I’m planning a 7’ 10" that would use the Wingnut Cutaway 8" (I already have the 9" and it’s great) that would be more correct for your board. I also used the wingnut Longrake in a 9", they work good and are a little stiffer if that’s what you like. I always wanted to try the smaller Jerry Lopez fins, 7.25" I think would be a good call for your board.
In response to some previous comments on fins similar to Gerry Lopez templates as well as thick foil fins. The fin with the black Iron Cross is a template from Bill Thrailkill that is receiving good-great reviews. This is the standard 3/8’’ thickness. The Volan fin is a thick version of a 9.25’’ Skip Frye flex fin. Yes, the thick foil is noticed when compared to the standard 3/8’’ panel. Having a thicker foil will improve your drive and speed through turns.
Dave,
I know you do excellent work, but the photos on my screen are wildly distorted. Makes it difficult to get a sense of the fins. Are other members having the same experience?
Nice looking board, wouldn’t mind one like that myself.
on some photos, yes, but these are showing fine for me
