If i have a single fin gun, can i put in FCS plugs on the side or glass on fins to make a tri-fin gun? any thoughts on the + and - of this?
Single-fin guns usually have a fairly narrow tail and a forward wide-point. I am not sure that it’s the best combo for a thruster set-up. Keep in mind that the basic thruster idea was to allow a wider tail for added manoeuverability while maintaining control. (A wide tail with a single-fin is bound to side-slip easily when cranking hard turns.)
Typically a thruster gun will have a two inch wider tail than a single fin gun. And, the fin position of the middle fin is inappropriate for the box.
There used to be these little half-moon fins to be glassed on in a 2+1 for single-fin guns, if anyone remembers those, they definitely helped on steeper faces, a little.
I’m with Blakstah…
Maybe small, 3" tall side fins, set parallel to stringer, then one inch shorter main fin…about 7.75", to give you quicker and easier rail to rail responce and banking.
Now heres the fun part… FCS, ProBox, LokBox, Futures, Glass-ons? (for the side mini fins)
I have a 7’2 Al Merrick gun and at the leading edge of the side fins are at 17" from the tail and at that point its 14.75 wide.
If your board has similiar dimensions go with a standard tri-fin setup. If its narrower then go with mini sidefins and regular single fin.
Howzit?!? I don’t think it would really help to put extra fins on that board. The thing was made to be a single fin back when that was all there was. If at all, the little side ‘stabilizers’ would be the best option. You could lay-up a small, thin panel, and try a variety of outlines. Glass them on real light, so you could take them off to move the placement if you wanted to. Routing holes in the thing would be a permanent feature, as well as a waste of valuable fin system supplies if you didn’t like it. In olden times, R.B. researched side fins, and put them in front, or even behind the main single fin. Try that, before you drill holes in the board. My opinion. Aloha…RH
ill need side fins for stability… i was thinking of putting in 3 FCS plugs on each side so i can move position of sidebites. i didnt intend on putting full sized fins on, just something for stability.
Scott,
It’s an old single fin gun…leave it alone, go get a new Clark blank or a sheet of EPS and make a better one. If you need gun specs there plenty of people that will set you up. I have templates from 8’4" - 9’6" for tri fin gun. To make it work as a trifin, you need a completely different plan shape. Leave that old surfboard alone.
-Jay
What kind of stability are you thinking of?
Board is same width regardless of # of fins.
Adding fins might make it stiffer riding.
When you ride waves that board is intended for, stability comes from the speed you get from bigger waves.