Retro Single Fins

[hit_the_lip]

If you've surfed a retro single fin, can you tell me how it is, and how it feels? I'm thinking about having a retro single fin shaped, just for something different to jump on. I mainly surf short boards, thrusters, quads, fishes, but I just want to add some soul to my surfing, just for something different. I'm thinking about something similar to this (I wouldn't buy this one, but I would have something shaped thats similar):

http://www.mitchssurfshop.com/Boards_by ... t_6-10_Red

If you have any experience with retro single fins, please share if you don't mind. Are they super different? I've noticed the fins are pretty big on them, do they paddle well with the big fins? Thanks and happy surfing.

[jaffa1949]

I surfed single fins before they were retro, if they have forward volume you can surf them as they were surfed in M.O.T.E they paddle well due to the forward volume and the volume from thickness, they are not as acute in the turns as a thruster but you can drive them pretty hard. one fin means less drag in paddling. thoughts on fins = flex, drive and volume of fin all variants!
Seriously I would try to line up a few surfs on one near in shape and style to what you are thinking of, you could hate the experience and the $$$$ would be wasted!
Great fun, different lines to follow on the wave,

[dtc]

Jaffa - what kind of single fin do you think works best (or, maybe, do you prefer) - cutaways, 'standard but bigger', long rakes, hatchet, pivot...I'm thinking of pulling off the side fins from the LB next time the surf is too small for the shorter board and just seeing what happens, but the current centre fin may not be the best (its a 2+1 set up)

[dtc]

double post...

[jaffa1949]

Have a look at my fin primer, that is the 9 inch fin I use as my go to fin.
Today I rode a 9 inch FCS cutaway, first couple of waves it felt pretty stiff then it held really well for some nose rides on faces that would not normally support me nose riding, so the jury is out!

Because I ride somewhere in style with a mixture of short board and longboard techniques I don't like large area fins as they cut out sharp turns as an option for me.

I tend to free the tail too much if my fins are too short, I'm not good at controlling tail slide can do it occasionally and the Bonzer side bites help me?

I don't think there is a set fin for this or for that, that covers everyone, I think individual experimenting will find what fits. Even the centre fin position in the box is a personal preference!

Take the side bites out see how it changes your approach!

[hit_the_lip]

Thanks Jaffa, I will attempt to try one before I buy it. I'm just afraid it will feel extremely different, and maybe I won't like it. And like you said, if thats the case, its $$ wasted.

[jaffa1949]

One thing I find pleasant about single fins or boards with small side bites is you don't need to be in transition for hard turn to hard turn to get speed, there is a cruise control setting on the board and you can activate front foot back foot gear changes. Again watch MOTE, newer rail shapes and design thoughts may make the boards better than they were before and the approach to surfing now is different so different wave positioning can be achieved. If you don't change your surfing to fit, it may not work for you!