trying to learn about different fin set-up, etc.

[man]

hi all. i'm trying to find out everything i can about different fin set-ups, so that i can make an educated, wise decision when i buy my first brand new stick next week. i learned on a single fin, 9'6" pearson, but am contemplating a move to surftech. anywho:
1.difference between single fin and tri etc? and when to use which.
2.difference between single fins ie: the skinny, cutback looking ones and the huge jimmy buffet looking ones (attempted a joke)--and when to use which.

those are the main ones i am seeking answers for--for now. BTW, i surf in santa cruz/capitola. thanks you guys/gals in advance. i really appreciate it
[-_-]

[RJD]

Hm, my understanding...

Single or tri you basicaly want the same(ish) area of finnage. So you want a bigger single fin than the center fin on a tri.

A single fin provides more stability like a keel on a yatch. Great for noseriding, straight line speed etc.

Tri fins add instability, i.e. through the thrusters will provide more turning force (as the thrusters are set at an angle). Think about it if you turn a little one thruster (offside) is now straight on whilst the onside one is cutting into the wave & pushing the board round, so you get quicker turns but the board is less stable in a straigth line. Again the center fin provides stability. Less traigth line speed as the thrusters add drag (not being straigth on).

Where the center fin is in the fin box also chamges stability, further forward thnk adds stability at cost to turning, back is better for turning. Also helps to moev it round for wave size I think too.

So if you want cruisy walking the plank setup use a large single fin, if you want to shift the board about go for tri.

[man]

right on. thanks a lot. so the side fins add drag because they're angled and decrease stability when trying to fly straight down the line...makes sence. what about choosing a bigger middle fin while keeping the side fins the same? will that increase stability a little while still providing ease of turning, or am i way off? also, can you ride tri-fin boards as single fins by simply removing the side fins, or will the open slots/holes from the side fins jack everything up? sorry for the barrage of questions everyone i just want to make sure i get the right deck for what i want to do; i'd like to be able to go out and ride on mushy days as well as have a board that excels in bigger, faster surf. i'm not really into noseriding. again, thanks for everything

[RJD]

With the straigth center fin you turn in a natural carving motion - rather like a car etc.

The side/thruster fins actualy push the back of the board sideways like a handbrake turn.

So a larger center fin is going to work against the thrusters, i.e. stop them pushing the back of the board sideways - not idea.

[jethrodog]

Hey man.

I echo everything that RJD says, with one addition: I wouldn't worry too much about the fins right now. If you have just learned on your 9'6" and are looking at moving down in size (and I assume that is the case) you probably won't realize the difference in fins too much yet as you will be learning on getting used to the new board and shorter size. You will soon learn by looking at boards that unless you get a 9'0" log or bigger most if not all boards will be in a tri-fin set up. Although I have never tried it, people I know have taken their side fins off and surfed their tri's as a single.
Also, before you buy, check out Cobalt surfboards at www.bluecoilsurf.com
They are in Santa Cruz, they make epoxy boards similar to Surftech. I bought one, I love it. Phone the warehouse or salesman and go check out all the boards. It's cool just to go check it all out.

[man]

right on. thanks a bunch for the insight. i'll def check out that link too.

[Otter]

Try different set ups and let us know how it works. If there's much difference between the set ups that you can actually notice.

[man]

will do, otter. kinda considering future cause the inserted part of the fin runs the whole length of the fin--as opposed to the "two-knub" FCS thing. also heard that fcs fins can put weird torque on the box, causing it to leak water...maybe those are rare cases...

[Otter]

Yeah, I prefer boxes for main skeg and biters. Those little round gizmos don't seem as sturdy, just my opinion, I don't know for sure.