It seems I have seen wings all over the place, from the AIPA stingers & Caster triple wing stingers of the 70’s to the bump wing 80’s boards. Where is the most appropriate wing placement to get good generic performance and release on a tri fin pin? pre fins, after fins, mid fins, and if you do cut some wings, where do you set your fins? 1 inch from the rail or 1.5 inches from the rail?
-Jay
I am no expert on wings but have done many boards with wings at different placements with different fin configurations. I sometime place them just in front of the fins or behind and have also done some further up to 20" or so. Wings with the inner part just about even or 1" up from the front of the fin(the usaul tri fin placement) works fine. .I find that they really only serve as a quick way to narrow the tail down. some say they work as a pivot point but I really don’t think so. the e-wings on a bonzer might have some turning properties going on. all I know is that wings do look cool on some boards. : )
Plain ole DEPENDS!
On your rider placement, outline, width and WP, tail shape and width, size and kind of waves ridden, what you want to DO with your wings and how much!
You are the designer, you can place it anywhere you want on ANY board. Wings tend to just loosen up and create a pivot point. Do what you want with it.
Ok, so the question turns to…do you need them, and if so when?
Mostly, wings are used on templates which have been replicated many times, and after much thought, found wanting in the loosness department, but otherwise workable and sound.
Throwing in a wing can loosen one exact point along the rail, to compensate for any stiffness or straightspots in either the rocker, the outline, the profile, or the fin placement/s.
Besides, it looks cool!
superflous under committed design variables in two dimensional plane consistent with and leading to the development of the three fin flat bottom flat riding board fixation of the last 20+ years,bless their little hearts may they stay in high popularity for some time …ambrose …two cents from the macadamia nut gallery