Getting a 9’10" board made with a tri-fin setup. Just curious about what size fins I should get when set up tri, or when it’s set up as a single. And what issues affect this decision. Read a post which looked at tail rocker, tail width, and board outline. I wasn’t quite sure how this affected the fin setup, though. Am I too dense?
My simple thoughts – on a steeper wave I’d need side-bites, otherwise not. On my current 9’6", I ride as a single fin, where fin length = 9.5", which seems to work fine. So, for a 9’10"? without side-bites - 9.5"-10" center fin, or when tri, 8"? On my tri-fin high-perf Pearson Arrow 9’, I had a 7" center fin.
So…don’t tell us your weight. Or the width of tail.
But same size tail fin can work as a single, if your new board is as heavy or heavier, or have thinner rails than old, or have narrower or same width tail.
Tris…don’t tell us what your’s were.
But 3 fins of around 5" can work in smaller, weaker waves or for surfers who are careful about where and when to turn. Using a bigger tail fin, about 7, would add to stability and holding power when 5"er doesn’t work.
Still gonna depend on rail shape of new board, rocker, width, weight, your size, your surfing style, and of course, waves surfed.
Something like a 7-7.5 inch cutaway should complement the board nicely as a 2+1. That is quite common around these parts - and a 9 inch fin as a single.
Single fin, man. Better style, better flow, looks cool.
I’d take those sidebites and toss em in the trash.
That’s just me, of course. What works for others is grooooovy, but I am an old school-type of longboarder. I like single fins, heavy boards, and good beer.