I'm trying to understand how it all works.
Fin provides lateral resistance so you can push against it to provide forward force to the board. Larger the fin, larger the lateral resistance but also larger the drag.
People make comments about fin lift. What are they referring to?
Also one more point, why do wider boards need longer fins?
slowboat is the one to ask,he designs them.
my take.....thicker the leading edge the more the board lift.
wider the fin equals more lateral resistance.....higher angle you can sail upwind,also supposed to improve ability to plane,don't ask me why......downside feels a little draggy.
the LESS swept back the fin, the greater upwind and bottom end....downside not too much.
stiffer the fin,especially carbon fins.....much greater lateral resistance as don't twist off as much, so again higher pointing angles and better bottom end.
wider boards need bigger fins, thinking more surface area of board requires fin with more area to provide resistance against.
best choice for me ....a very upright, stiff carbon fin with a little more area in tip to improve upwind performance.
Peter makes sense...
So fin lift is the upwards lift the fin provides that helps back of the board float up and get planing.
Any other takers on the fin size vs board with? I can see that larger sails would require larger fins but can't see how a wider board would require a bigger fin. Is it because wider boards are generally used with bigger sails, eg formula and light wind boards? Another theory is that wider boards are designed with strap positions etc such that you're driving harder off the fin when they are in their sweet spot?
