sorry, probably discussed before
can anyone recommend a good all round set(s) or combinations - i have three different boards all bought second hand with basic fins sets
boards are 8 2 stubbie, 9 6 laird and 10 6 nalu
looking for both thruster and quads
on thruster set up - existing large back back fins are probably ok - but happy for suggestions
The best recommendation is that you build yourself a quiver of various quality fins, and basically store away the fins that come with new boards to resell them later with the board. I still have in my quiver great fins that I bought 20 years ago.
Fins setup is very personal, you need to experiment a lot. So build yourself a quiver of different fins and play!
My advice:
- I love the C-Drives
- SUPs work better in my personal opinion with bigger side fins and smaller rear(s). But a lot of people prefer the 2+1 setup (big center + small sidebites)
- inside foiled fins for sides have a more fluid feeling, that I like, but a lot of people prefer the "bite" of flat inside foil, even with the slightly added drag.
- try to have a fin of each kind of shape: hatchets, Greenhough A4, wide base + thin tip, narrow base + wide tip, etc...
- fins are expensive. You do not need to buy a lot at once. Just plan to buy new ones regularily to widen your fin quiver.
- fins are easy to resell, as mailing them is a breeze. Trade!
can't go wrong with Shapers S9 fins.......good for side fins for larger board thruster......or front fins for quads set up
My PSH 12'6 got the controller quads......look small but no problems in bigger surf
Also, the foil profile of fins is often quite overlooked.
I went yesterday to the local 100% FCS shop - an ali baba cave for a fin enthusiast - and spend time comparing all the foils. I was surprised by the differences, the foil profile differs a lot between models, but it is never mentioned nor hinted at in their web site or promo contents.
The "standard" FCSII line by FCS (Accelerator, Carver, Performer, Reactor) have all the same kind of profile, very thick at the leading edge (less efficient but with more tolerant to variations in the angle of attack). The Al Merricks are the opposite: a thin profile with the main thickness farther back (which I like for their behavior at speed). And all other "signature" models lie in between with quite varied profiles. So there is definitely a lot of conscious design going into the foil by FCS, strange that they do not talk of it. Future fins, on the opposite, speak volumes of their very innovative various foil profiles (FCS profiles are quite conservative compared to Future)
The shapers (or was it the Biolos?) were interesting: thick point forwards, but with an inside foil designed in a way to provide a variation of the angle of attack along the depth of the fin.
So,
- if you like a fin, take note of the foil. Foil and aera distribution between the base and the tip may be the most important characteristics. The late Alan Byrne said "Give me your fins for 10mn with some sandpaper, and It will make you board work so much better".
- try to have a varied fin quiver: in sizes, rakes, outlines (area distribution), ... and foils.
