Looking to get some help/advise, after the best size fin to use on a manta 79w 125l with a 7.6m sail. have looked on the select fin selector recommends a 47 cm seems a bit big, any thoughts?
With my 7.6 I use from 32cm Black Project type s - very very very flat water
35cm flat water but low tide so bit of chop, high wind for a 7.6
37.5 standard fin for this sail, all round sailing.
40cm lower winds pumping to get planing.
42.5cm marginal, barely planing, desperation as I dont have a bigger sail (yet)
All of the above are black project type R fins. I love them, hardly ever spin out and nearly indestructable. I have hit the same rock twice with my 35 and it did more damage to the rock.....my select s11 37cm was destroyed by the same rock (its just near the slipway I launch from and about 30cm under the surface at low tide....so most of the time its fine.....
I demoed the Black Project fins back last september and by october bought a couple, now I have a near full quiver as they are so good, and now sail for them.
I also have a Tabou Rocket 125. It came with the 44cm fin. I then bought a barely used Tabou 32cm fin.
I've got to use the 44cm with the 8.5m once (had wind and water) and it was awesome. The next few times weren't going that well. There was no water in the lagoon/inlet where I'm learning so I rigged up the Rocket 125 with a 9.5 and the 32cm. It works, it gets on the plane super fast. Going up wind was a little more complicated. Tacking was harder, jybing was pretty much impossible but I can't really do them.
Last week I picked up a Mistral Sore 88 for $100 and it came with two good condition carbon PowerBox fins 24cm and 38 cm. I've wanted the 38cm for a while. Wish I had the wind/time to try it.
MFC has a chart I've been going by.
Well I've been wanting to go by that chart but if there's no water (knee high) and the wind's from ranging (5-25mph) I go with the smallest fin (to be in the water) and largest sail (to keep going) :) Have I mentioned I"m just a begginner? :) I'll try whatever to get me in the water.
Still was fun but the 32cm fin has the paint rubbed off on it now. Just going to paint. Had a few catapults while planing in really low water. I thought it was much deeper until I crashed. Luckily everything turned out OK. Beachstarting out on a low water is a PAIN. You'll plane on it but once you stop the fin digs into the sand.
The standard fins that come with boards tend to be a bit on the big side, I have a 120L in which I run an upright 38cm which seems to be sweet in most conditions. If marginal I run a 42cm and if super powered up a 31cm and in weedy conditions I run a 26cm weedy. I use these on sails from 6.7 to 8.5 and have no issues with any. It will all come down to skill level, water state and wind strength...See if you can borrow a some fins from sailors in your area and go for a run, You'll soon work out what works for you and your board.
Run a 46cm talon with the manta - 48 if it is marginal.
This works, and works very well. Remember slalom fins are designed to be powered up, almost overpowered. If you are looking for marginal wind performance then select 47 cm will give you bottom end - but not as good as the talon in the top end. Don't listen to fanatic sailors reviews of the talons - the falcons don't work with the tectonics!! That's why they use select.
I know BC is getting some black projects in, would be interesting to see how they go, but I would start at 46 to 48 cm. get a fin that twists off and it will handle the chop better.
Enjoy the manta - they absolutely rock. Easiest slalom board I've sailed in years.
Been out on the board twice and love it. Have used a 42cm on the two times, found it a bit hard to get up wind but was not to bad felt like I needed bigger but. Thanks for the help.
