Thrusters are often said to be “power hungry”, requiring aggressive turning to get the most out of them. Why does the thruster design, more than most other types of tin, require turning to get maximum speed?
There will be a lot of confusing responses about water pressure and those things, but the simple fact that the fins are toed in . aloha
There will be a lot of confusing responses about water pressure and those > things, but the simple fact that the fins are toed in .>>> aloha Along with toe in creating drag, so does the amount of fins. Though the name is truster, I feel the greatest attribute about a tri fin is that all fins can play the role of a stablizer so to speak. A single fin is the most neutral fin set up but depends on it’s fin stability solely in the center. So, typically single fin tail areas can’t vary too greatly where as tri’s can very a bit more cause when on edge a side fin holds it in place. On singles you have to rely too much on the rail edge control. Twins have a down fall in the fact that they are unstable when going at slower speeds and tend to slide out or have a braek point during cut backs. They are good in mid face turning, but the tri is pretty “all-around” in many waves and wave positions. One big downfall on tris is that the wave tends to carry then up to the top of the wave really easily. A good trait for top to bottom but singles are better for trimming. Tri tend to hang in the top, that is why snapping off the top on a tri is so important, they are surfed differently that singles. Singles are over all smoother transitioning boards. Depending on wave size and style of surfing I want to do, I’ll surf a single or a tri, multi-fins like quads and C-5’s haven’t made my surfing funner or better. I have given them a chance. Trusts are need to propel the board, but without a trailing fin which does create more drag, you wouldn’t have the stability in certain sections for which you need it. So which came first the trust or the stability??? I say the thrust came as a result of the trailing fin. You’ll find that with surfboarf design adjustments are always need, whether it involves tweaking another facet of the board or with the surfer responding to the compromise. Like to hear any response on what these do for a board: cant and toe-in, we’ll leave aspect ration out of this one. Come on vetrans.
There will be a lot of confusing responses about water pressure and those > things, but the simple fact that the fins are toed in .>>> aloha Generally speaking, a very curved mid to rear template, pronounced rocker, a “sweet spot” located in the tail section, toed-in outer fins and the most obvious facts: minimal planing area and flotation all contribute to slowing any board down unless it is relentlessly “wound up” through a series of short arcing turns… and this assumes that average wave conditions on any given day will even permit such an approach. In contrast, the many differences are fascinating when one compares such a design with a “retro” surfboard that has a slightly straighter template, flatter overall rocker, a wider, more forgiving “sweet spot” located closer to center, fins that are not toed-in as much (or maybe just a properly placed and tuned single fin), and a longer, fuller planing area (and the resultant increase in flotation) that encourages a wider range of freedom in less than perfect surf, encompassing everything from low-end glides, high speed forward trims, pivots off the tail and driving, mid-section carves. For a dramatic, modern point of reference, witness the evolving equipment and performance of Joel Tudor.
You’re right C-5s don’t work…Steve, that’s because they’re built wrong… you haven’t ridden one of my SuperChargers it would change you attitude.Herb.
simply put it gives the board a better turning ratio, with less uncontrollable spin-drift.Like a beginning snow skier on the bunny slop will snow plow for more contolled turning…it’s also slower.1)singlefins are the fastest and loosest. 2)twinnies are the quickest pivoting. 3)TRIs are the most stable.Herb.
Herb said it best. I have been experimenting with smaller fins and keep control, reduce drag and can still get a bit of drive out of it. Even though drive capability decreases( natural glide speed increase, releaving the surfier from having to pump and thrust). My next experiment might be similar but with five fins. I’ll tri some othe five fin configurations and give them another “tri”.
Herb said it best. I have been experimenting with smaller fins and keep > control, reduce drag and can still get a bit of drive out of it. Even > though drive capability decreases( natural glide speed increase, releaving > the surfier from having to pump and thrust). My next experiment might be > similar but with five fins.>>> I’ll tri some othe five fin configurations and give them another > “tri”. I made many “thrusters” in the 6 - 7ft range with the fins set slightly toed and canted or in fact set straight ( parallel to the stringer). The boards with fins set straight “trimmed” in a straight line and maintained the down the line speed without pumping. They were “stiffer”, harder to turn but by reducing the area of the fins, not the depth however, the boards became more maneu verable. The more cant and toe in, the more pumping etc., the less toe and cant, the straighter they run was my conclusion.