3 fins or 4 fins

[alver]

Hi,
I am curious if there is any big difference between surfing a short 3 fin board than a 4 fin board. I have only tried one fin (centuries ago!!)and 3 fin and there is an obvious difference. Anyone?

Alver

[northswell]

They're supposed to give more drive and acceleration down the line aand be quick and responsive in the turns.

I'm riding a quad at the moment and its certainly really responsive in the turns.

[Sillysausage]

never ridden a quad, but from what i've heard there is a massive difference in responsiveness

[Dec]

Yea i've ridden a 4 fin fish and they're awesome, but really skatey and easy to slide out on.

[eastcoastsurfshop]

Depends what type of board you have them on. Quad fishes are completely different to say a bat tail shortboard. Baiscally, they give you a bit more drive DTL and should be more responsive. I haven't ridden one yet, but one of my mates has a 5'6" Quad Retro Fish & loves it too bits, another has a 6'0" Black & White Quad and has been riding in in some meaty stuff in Costa as well as small slop. Stu has a 6'0" Chris Garret bat tail which he pretty much rides all the time now. As for the fins, lockbox (or rainbow fins) seem to have the best selection of quad fin sets. FCS are a bit behind the game, and are just using current fins at the moment. For instance, Slater uses 2xFG-5's & 2xFG-3's. I guess everyone is waiting to see whether qaudsies are just a flash in the pan or a long term thing...

[alver]

iFrom what you guys said it seems to make a positive difference. I will see if i can try one to test it. However I dont see much quads out there in the market, as it was when the 3 fin was starting to reach the waves.

Alver

[Driftingalong]

Quads have shown up on everything now...fishes, shortboards, longboards and guns too.

They are definitively a different feel from a thruster. Anybody who can stand up and turn would be able to notice a difference.

I think they started out as an alternative to the twin fin on a fish design. They broke up the fin area and it allows for more hold in turns and makes riding a fish backside more forgiving.

Quads are in the market around here, that's for sure. A lot of the pros still ride only thrusters is almost every single competition. That's what people see, that's what's in magazines. And, that is why they aren't taking off like the truster did. I've heard quite a few pros comment that they don't like them as much. Then there are other people who love them to death, and that's why you won't see them disappear anytime soon either.

Like they say opinions are like...
So, if it interests you the best thing would be to try one out, or just jump in head first and get one.

[squeegy ninja]

surfbaords are like race cars there are diffrent set ups for different feels. a quad set up right should offer more drive and cornering capability so try diffrnt fins and placements and you can make a quad feel just like a thruster or twinny or better! but hell i ride single fins so go figure

[dirtyjerseysurfer]

I have been surfing 3 fins all my life up until about 3 weeks ago. I find surfing with a quad so much better. Your turns are sharper and as long as u dont weigh that much u dont have to worry about sliding out

[McKee QUATTRO]

One reason why Quads are receiving such different reviews is that they are very complex to work out. Thrusters can be shitty if the fin positioning is out a fraction..say back fins too far forward by 1/8"..toe in wrong etc..so a Quad has double trouble with back fin positioning, in fact the whole four. Shapers that never had them right in the past and are only guessing where to put fins without the R&D, are making some Quads with many flaws. Thruster positioning is pretty much standardised and even so, Pros go through countless boards to get the 'Magic' one. Another problem is that many shapers are trying to hold on to their position in the lineup of shaping heirachies so better to keep the Quads classified as small wave grovellers...but if they are the go for big wave guns and tow-boards... hmmm.. in the middle there..?. Sliding out..squirrely,.. Did you know that Tom Curren was riding a Quad in the epic 6 -8ft J-Bay footage in 'The Search 2' a 1992 video. Also appears in 'Searching for Tom Curren' and 'Ultimate Sessions'.
For a look on how to have all your quads working perfectly check http://mckeesurf.com/brucemckee/multisystem.htm and for the reasons why we are where we are now http://mckeesurf.com/brucemckee/quattro.htm
Here's Tom on the board. A 6'11 swallow tail 'Quattro'.
http://mckeesurf.com/brucemckee/indexfi ... baybig.jpg
The mags, 99% spout dribble. Two years ago I personally handed Murray Burton a copy of the fin
formula downloadable in my website. It has been online for 7 years and I have sent the link to countless shapers and magazines..Murray's site has a great collection of quad variations.. So, for a no risk way of learning first hand whether a Quad or Thruster is better, take the downloaded formula, plus the Fin Direction Diagram to your ding, fin or shop guy and convert.
'The proof of the pudding is in the eating'. Works or doesn't. No more bull.

[McKee QUATTRO]

Meant to say..Take any of your 'Thrusters' and convert it.
Just mark the back fin positions roughly, sand the area. If the front fins aren't exactly the same as my formula, not to worry, all will be balanced with fin selection. Place on the oval patches. Hotcoat. Mark the fin positions correctly and mount as normal. That tired old board, that maybe even used to spin out will now make you a proud and inspired owner.

[dougirwin13]

4's promote better surfing, IMO.

-doug
Compsand.com - The Composite Surfboard Cooperative!