Hey sausage well you know which brand i like
.
Ive used most of the brands out there and the 2 I like the best are the C3 and Techtonics fins. There's prob not alot of difference in top end between the bigger fins eg 40+ as you pushing big sails and big boards, the thing i like about the C3 fins is there control and range they have. ive had the 8.5 and IS122 with the Venom 46 out in 20-25 knots I would hate to try that with a Select or meanline.
Ive had good feedback from a few guys that i know on the C3 fins maybe they have the same style as me too
.
When it come down to the smaller fins its more critical to have a fins you can trust in as your speeds are much higher so thats where the better fins come in especially in choppy water.
A good size for your board prob would be a 34 or 36 if your using a 6.7.
ta Vando
Thanks for the very informative response Vando.
I must say though that I have mastered* the S-type 93 and 6.7VMG with the 30cm Select Viper. It will spin out if the wind drops releasing mast foot pressure but I seem to be able to correct this pretty quickly. If I put the 34cm Drake in it feels way too big now even with the 6.7, although it does take some work to get planing occassionally in the lighter stuff.
Can using a smaller fin than recomended hinder your sailing progression?
Also, I've just received my new 09 iS 122 (113litres
)with the two stock Drake slalom fins. Haven't had a chance to give it a go although did you find a massive difference in the supplied ones to the customs you use?
*'mastered' used figuratively
On my iSonic 94 with a 6.8, I tried the stock Drake 34 (crap), the c3 Venom 36 (didn't like it much but need more time on this combo to figure out what's what), and a Kai 34 reshaped by slowboat (which was excellent).
For my money the c3's aren't the answer to everything, don't just blindly buy one because vando likes them.... like I did.
Yeh Vando, 'They' tell me I got the last iS 122 in Oz.
I've got a 8.5m Ezzy Infinity which was great for the Carve 133, although I am unsure how it will perform with iSonic (and vice versa).
This thread has been excellent concerning personal fin preferences (Vando & Gestalt versus Mark). Just makes it all that more difficult in deciding next purchase.
Quick update - bought a KA SL30 fin and tried it for first time yesterday. Now I know why you guys are so passionate about fin brands / types. This thing felt silky smooth and totally in control. Select Viper Speed will now go on display in my personal windsurfing museum under the house.
Out of interest I was suprised just how much this fin whistles - never had a fin do this before. I gather this is not an overly bad thing although any thoughts would be appreciated.