2+1 vs. Single Fin

[Jripper53]

Hello again SW forum,

The other day I was starting to think, "Jeez, I've ridden my Torq 8'6 with the same 2+1 fin setup since I first got it.. and first started learning to surf for that matter". I've gotten to know the board really well the way it is, but sometimes it can be fun to switch things up. So do you think there would be any benefit to removing the two side-bite fins and going to a single-fin setup? Am I better to just stick with what I'm used to? I've read in some other threads here that it's hard to switch between fin setups on boards once you're used to what ya got, but I've never tried. My fish is a thruster and it definitely maneuvers/surfs differently, but then again that's a whole different board there.

From what I understand the single-fin would make wider arcing turns, whereas the 2+1 has a little more drive? Maybe I'd lose some drag on the wave if I got rid of those side-bites? Just curious if anyone else has made this transition, and what your experience was. Oh and I should probly mention that I'm still using the slightly-too-short 7" FCS Connect fin that came with the board when I got it (it was used).

[jaffa1949]

The whole switching up is a chance to feel,and learn new techniques and gather new muscle memory.
Once you become competent on a board , just a few tweaks with fins etc give you new instinctive understandings!
GO PLAY!

[waikikikichan]

Get out of your comfort zone. Switching things up might feel strange at first, but allow you to learn more about how your board reacts through it RAIL, TAIL, ROCKER. It will force you to adjust how you place your body/feet in making turns and controlling speed. Especially on a Single, where you need to be patient and wait for the fin to load up.

If it's a FCS connect GF ( black "plastic" ) 7" fin, then it will be too small, but you can try putting it all the way back in the box just to see how it does.

[Jripper53]

Got it - I should try it out! After a big hurricane season here on the gulf, it's going flat again. So for now it will be single fin all the time: on my SUP! In the meantime I will remove my side bites and give this a try next swell. Most of the other surfers here are using single fin on the usual small longboard days anyhow. Jaffa, I see what you mean by new muscle memory, and understanding through switching things up. I suppose you haven't mastered anything until you know it in all different configurations. Waikikichan, just curious what you mean by "wait for the fin to load up". I've read this in some of your other posts, but don't quite grasp. How does it compare to loading up on a 2+1? Anyway, I'm sure I'll feel for myself soon enough.

[dtc]

First up it will feel weird and you will mess things up. Totally fine, totally normal. But always worthwhile

[waikikikichan]

From what I understand the single-fin would make wider arcing turns, whereas the 2+1 has a little more drive?

My fish is a thruster and it definitely maneuvers/surfs differently, but then again that's a whole different board there.

That's the usual thinking. But it's totally up to the USER to add input. You don't ride a thruster like you do a single fin ( it's really hard to do a drop knee turn on a thruster ). You can't really turn a single like you do a thruster. Pumping is a bit different on all three, but the principle of displacing water side to side / resisting and relaxing is about the same. I guess the best way to find out is get a HPD scorpion with it's 4+1 set up. You got the same exact board that can be set up as a Single, 2+1, Thruster, Quad, Twin or Twin-stabi.

[krustyburger]

I also have an 8'6" that I ride as a single fin. In my experience, the 2+1 has greater hold on the face and makes it easier to take that higher line right from takeoff. The single fin likes to slide down the face unless you really engage that rail. I've tried both and always come back to a version of the single fin setup on that board. I think you sacrifice a bit of "control" for more "glide" when you ride a single fin instead of a 2+1.

[IB_Surfer]

Easy:

I don’t longboard, but when I do, it's single fin for small waves and 2+1 for big waves.

If you want better turning use a cutaway, if you want to try to noseride use a 10" Curve

[Jripper53]

That's the usual thinking. But it's totally up to the USER to add input. You don't ride a thruster like you do a single fin ( it's really hard to do a drop knee turn on a thruster ). You can't really turn a single like you do a thruster.

Yea, haven't had enough goes on the ol' fish to really say I know the board yet, but the thruster setup feels to me like you're on a circular pivot.. You can just swing the thing around, it's awesome! Or at least it will be.. eventually. Also haven't gotten into drop knee turns yet, they look very stylish but honestly I think I need some better (longer) waves for that.. oh yeah and more skill! It gets pretty decent here but it's a rare occurrence. Thrusters, single fins, 2+1 all feeling different. That's the fun of it, so much variety in the same sport/art! You're exactly right the fish has (5) fin boxes in it. That's a lot of experimentation but I better get used to the current setup first!

[Jripper53]

First up it will feel weird and you will mess things up. Totally fine, totally normal. But always worthwhile

Worthwhile indeed. And I'm totally ok with messing up. Still do it.. frequently!

[Jripper53]

I also have an 8'6" that I ride as a single fin. In my experience, the 2+1 has greater hold on the face and makes it easier to take that higher line right from takeoff. The single fin likes to slide down the face unless you really engage that rail. I've tried both and always come back to a version of the single fin setup on that board. I think you sacrifice a bit of "control" for more "glide" when you ride a single fin instead of a 2+1.

So you ultimately prefer a single-fin setup on your 8'6? See that scares me. Less hold on the face. It's always nice to be surprised how much that board holds its line, even when the wave gets a little steeper.. I smell wipeouts in my future.

[krustyburger]

So you ultimately prefer a single-fin setup on your 8'6? See that scares me. Less hold on the face.

I end up drawing a different line on the single... down the face at a straighter angle and into a more pronounced bottom turn... a feeling I really like. On steeper and bigger waves, the single takes off pretty fast and feels like stepping on a bar of soap in the shower (twins have this quality too). Popping up into a controlled and stable bent knee, low center of gravity stance is key.