Hey guys,
I just managed to snap a fin on my thruster - hit something far out, not sure what and then a little while later she just spun out and then felt real loose on the way back in!
Anyway, I have an FCS thruster set up (surfboard) and wanted some thoughts on what to look for.
I am thinking long fins with small base will give me best upwind performance. I like a long carving action generally (hence thruster preferred over quad), but I haven't seen any threads anywhere on what shapes etc do what on a kite board. Lots on surfing, but that is pretty different really. I also used to windsurf and reckon the theory should be roughly the same, but I only ever sailed single fin boards and most thruster setups are big centre dominant. Should I go bigger on the middle fin?
I am keen to hear anyones thoughts. What shape/size/setup do you like in a fin set up and why.
Thanks
I'm no physicist, but buy a set of FCS (or other cheaper FCS compatible fins), build a collection and work out what you like along the way.
I have stopped on the glass FCS K2.1's for now.
Just don't over think it. lol. 
Small base upright fins will be snappier and less drivey,more fin area more drive and quads are more carvey as theres more combined fin area,you can still pivot on them but they arnt as pivoty as a thruster,thats why most big wave surfers ride quads.If you want drive on your thruster go for bigger based fins more so if your board has a lot of area in the tail,but yeah experiment amazing how fins affect a boards performance.
I changed my thruster setup with new stiffer fibreglass fins which had alot more outer splay and now it's a very different board to ride. It trucks upwind and is great for snappy turns on the wave . Love the new fins!
Ditch the fcs and go future strong at the base and got more drive. They are the closest feeling to glassed in fin
Go into a shop like volcom or other FCS dealer. They have a fin tree that you can demo fins for free. Decide on your size....most likely a 5 (Medium) or 7 (Large). Size will depend on your weight and how hard you want to push the board in specific size waves, before the fin releases. Then test the different templates. It's board dependant and a personal preference thing. If you find a fin you like, it will probably be the most ridiculously priced fin in the shop with a shapers or rasta's, parkos or slaters name on it. Just try and match the template with a no name brand if your looking to save bucks. I like the fanning template in FCS2. 
Thanks for the advice guys.
I like the idea of buying a whole heap of fins and trying them - just need to begin a social media start up company ("face fins") to be able to afford that!
Haha, fins are like kites and boards.
Hence some people like Best kites and some people ride big, heavy, strapped epoxy boards.
Hi
I went through a fin phase with fcs and have quite a few sets I will get rid of a some stage.
everyone is personal to each rider and if you can try all the better, but most people feel abligded to buy after trying from shop they borough from.
Ocie,s are the widest and largest base.
g5 are what most shapers will put in as a general fin.(fcs 1) .
see if you can google image fcs fins of poster with all side buy side and site also gives sizes which most of matching old fcs 1 with fcs 2 ,main difference is there are honey comb materials and others out now.
fins are a whole world again when you compare flex,sweep back of tips,base width and fin rake etc,etc.
There was a range on ebay of clear pvc fins which are cheap $28 set with heaps of flex so check that out ,they were for fcs 1 and I have tried these and there was nothing wrong with them.
They cost a bomb but I really love the H3 Nexus fins by FCS. Try them if you can. They are designed to give you a burst of acceleration as you turn which helps through the dead spots on the wave which makes cutbacks a treat. It might be a placebo effect but I personally really notice the difference when i bog down in the flat spots while kiting with them and can re-accelerate without having to throw the kite down again.
However I have broken a few though (FCS aren;t the strongest fin box) and now use FCS2 fin box which is closer to the strength of the future fins. I use the Kolohe Andino FCS2 fins for these. I'm not a fan of the bright yellow though. I keep feeling like I'm flyfishing for sharks with them...
Also if you are looking at Future Fins the Blackstix are my favorite.
