Understanding small wave board consepts

Archive 1999-2004
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I’m trying to understand a few small wave board concepts and have a few questions. What I’ve figured out is only the basis (or so I think) more area and less rocker for better glide/more speed. Correct so far? Do you have to have twins or twinser fins on them to make them turn to compensate for the reduced rocker or could you just angle the sidefins on a thruster a little more inward? Or would this produce a whole lot of drag? What about wings? Are they just there to keep area in the board while maintaing a narrow stern on the board? Why? And what’s up with those wide swallowtails used on fishes? Why are they used on smallwave boards? thanks a bunch for any help.

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I’m trying to understand a few small wave board concepts and have a few > questions. What I’ve figured out is only the basis (or so I think) more > area and less rocker for better glide/more speed. Correct so far?>>> Do you have to have twins or twinser fins on them to make them turn to > compensate for the reduced rocker or could you just angle the sidefins on > a thruster a little more inward? Or would this produce a whole lot of > drag?>>> What about wings? Are they just there to keep area in the board while > maintaing a narrow stern on the board? Why?>>> And what’s up with those wide swallowtails used on fishes? Why are they > used on smallwave boards?>>> thanks a bunch for any help…Flatter rocker for most small wave boards IS BEST ,but if you are surfing steep suckout type waves it’s much harder to control…Fins?..it’s what kind of turn or glide you are looking for.If you over toein or over camber the fins,the board will literally stand still when you increase planning speed…I pretty much gave up on wings about 2-5years ago.They do make the board looser,but they also make the board sideslippy,and on cutbacks they can cause the rail to dig and stop.Again it’s how you want the board to react to you or your rider…Wide swallowtails allow you to use a wider tail dimention without the tail becoming to soapy.ANOTHER WORDS IT MAKES A UNSTABLE TAIL MORE STABLE THRU TURNS.Herb.