Uncle Jaffa's Fin Primer

[CARBr6]

Thanks SP I'll take a look

[CARBr6]

Woah, can of worms!!
Ok, let's shut this down straight away.
Forget I even mentioned the TT!
Infact what TT? I don't know what you are talking about...Carb who?

[pandarturo]

Eh as far as quads not working, uh taken mine out in double overhead. They definitely hold a line. It's all in the happy feet.

[jaffa1949]

Uncle Jaffa's reply in regard to tunnel fins and areas of extreme fin thingos.
Is very simple if you are interested try one especially if you can pick up a cheapy on Craigs list or Ebay.

Roy Stewart, has wonderful varieties of fin theories and other ideas, including fins based on the tubercles on the fins of humpback whales. He is also exploring 3D printing of his designs on high end machines.
If exploring the extreme ends of surfboard and fin design it is worth checking out what Roy does.

And yes, as with the outer limits it can be a can of worms!
Try anything and everything, discoveries are out there.

[pandarturo]

Yeah I love Roy!

[jaffa1949]

Well I've taken an experimental step with a set of the Roy dimension Bonzer type fins with different foil and surface characteristics and a centre fin based on Humpback whale tubercles.
Stand by for a report as to performance!
Uncle Jaffa dons white lab jacket and goes surfing

[CARBr6]

Okay so ever since I got my board I've been using one of these as my centre fin

But I found this really cheap on eBay so thought I'd give it a go

What I want to know is, (you can probably guess) what are the differences I can expect to see/feel in the way the board handles?

[jaffa1949]

Could be interesting I have never surfed a fat boy, I have surfed hatchets maybe with similar characteristics.
I think as forward single fin it would generate good arcing turns around the the fin you could also put back foot weight directly above it in order to really drive the turn or swing the nose in skateboard like tic tac swings , the deeper bulb will hold well if you engage the tail for nose rides.
The cut away gives you less base so you can push towards manageable release in a tighter turn.
As a 2+1 I'd be looking to correct issues or enhance any positive results the fin gives.
I can't really answer the question for you specifically but it is another tool in your surfing vocabulary .
Have you the sensitivity to notice the differences and making it sing?
Good for experimenting please tell us how you go with it

[CARBr6]

I honestly do not know if I do have the sensitivity to notice, but it does mean that I now have several options to try when I'm next having a good session.
I'll come back and let you all now how it goes.

[jaffa1949]

General rule if it works well for you and you feel like you are helped by anything then it is good!

[jaffa1949]

Uncle Jaffa has new fins to test see the link,
viewtopic.php?t=23073

A fin report is forthcoming provided the surf gods provide in the middle of this freezing weather a suitable swell

[CARBr6]

Well I tried the Fatboy out a couple of times as a 2+1 setup and it was alright so I decided to ditch the 2 and I have to say, even with my very limited experience levels, and the lack of ability to really explain stuff. I love my board with this fin all on it's own! Stoked!!

[jaffa1949]

Well I tried the Fatboy out. I love my board with this fin all on it's own! Stoked!!

Summed up in one sentence, great news ! You have enough experience to experience the difference progress on all counts

[jaffa1949]

I have had five days of pretty consistent surf to play with fins ,really making comparisons.
I really like the BLEF fin from Roy as a nose riding aid the whole thing with the tubercles allows the board to maintain tail grip to a greater extent than a cutaway single fin.
I am able to do the old style pivot the board around the fin bottom turn or a driving arcing power turn with equal(note this word) fluidity.
I was concerned about top turns (I am not a fin bust free surfer ) but again a full pivot is workable.
Another technique in forward or nose riding that I use if I need to break a higher line on the wave is a hip wiggle shimmy that breaks the rail and tail grip and allows the board to drop sideways down the face to a better grip and trim.
The BLEF in no way inhibits this.
Happy to recommend as a single fin for good surfers .

[jaffa1949]

Now Screw This! A question was asked in hardware about single centre fin screws.
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=24109
No Fin maker publishes the screw sizes I'd be curious to know so I'll get my micrometer out and check what style of thread etc.
This might lead to a review of fin systems plugs, boxes , matching bottom contours and all that stuff.
UJ dons white coat puts on tin foil hat, hornrimmed spectacles then drinks potion from test tube on bench
Reporting back soon.

[BoMan]

I weigh 140 pounds and have been riding a 9 foot fun board for the last year. In chest high conditions, I can catch most waves that I go for, but I'm only able to trim turns and not carve them. I also cannot cross step to the front and must resort to "shuffling" which looks and feels terrible.

The board has a thruster with 5 inch fins and I'm thinking about using only a 9 inch center fin. Will this help or should I just focus on improving my skills? Here are links to see my equipment. Thanks!

Surfboard
http://www.grecosurfboards.com/product/the-eden/

Center Fin
http://www.grecosurfboards.com/product/the-mast-9-fin/

[jaffa1949]

Welcome to the gentleman's latter day surf shack, some thoughts on your question.
It presents a number of problems for coherent cross stepping rather than an elderly shuffle to the nose.

You can nose ride a soft board , just more inherently difficult. Because the Etta flotation lifts the tail engagement out of the wave, then the small thruster fins have less in the water.

The 9" screw through the foam fin is just too soft to add much ,value . Each step will rock the board and the fin will take up and flex without any real rebound I believe it will act as a dampener. It certainly will not provide a strong point to pivot on in a bottom turn.

All this is where I think the soft board is wrong for " real nose riding" but amazingly enough, if you adapt to the board and its individual characteristics it can be done.

I'm going to have a read around the Greco site and see if it changes my thoughts

[jaffa1949]

My fin and board thoughts seem right!
Nice site with good intentions and actually doing great community work!

[BoMan]

Do you think it would be worth using the 9 inch center fin with the side fins, or is it time to consider a long board?
Thanks for your thoughtful advice!

[jaffa1949]

It is time to consider a 9ft hard board
I really think the Greco won't cut it for much more