Sorry if this has been posted before, but my knowledge of fin setups is limited. What are the main differences between quad and thruster? When would I use one over the other. Just got a new Jimmy Lewis destroyer and had it setup as a thruster. What are the pros/cons of each?

Cheers for any help

basically:
thruster for control and tight turns (vertical surfing)
quads for speed in fast sections and turns (horizontal surfing)

or, as Kelly Slater says: "Thruster for turns, quad for tubes)

In turns, a thruster will allow you to tighten more the turns, at the expense of speed. A quad will keeps the speed at the expense of turning radius.

So it depends what style of surfing you like.

There are compromises, though:
- A Quobba thruster set is as fast as a traditional quad setup, but with the thruster control (this is what I use)
- Symmetrical (50/50 foil), small quad rears offers some "turnability" and smoother rail to rail of a thruster set.
- A numbster (small central fin) added to a quad can add some more control

I think you'll probably get different answers from any given person on any given day depending on the conditions.
I was a thruster set up person no matter the conditions, but several years ago thought I'd give quad a go in the SUP, mostly haven't gone back to thruster, I get more speed and can actually go more vertical because of the speed and width of the board compared to prone. so if you can beg, borrow or buy quads do it.

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colas said..
basically:
thruster for control and tight turns (vertical surfing)
quads for speed in fast sections and turns (horizontal surfing)

or, as Kelly Slater says: "Thruster for turns, quad for tubes)

In turns, a thruster will allow you to tighten more the turns, at the expense of speed. A quad will keeps the speed at the expense of turning radius.

So it depends what style of surfing you like.

There are compromises, though:
- A Quobba thruster set is as fast as a traditional quad setup, but with the thruster control (this is what I use)
- Symmetrical (50/50 foil), small quad rears offers some "turnability" and smoother rail to rail of a thruster set.
- A numbster (small central fin) added to a quad can add some more control

I've read your review on the Quobba. they sound good. I might give them a try down the track a bit. So, reading into this answer a bit, am I right in saying quads will keep the board a bit straighter when paddling.

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micksmith said..
I think you'll probably get different answers from any given person on any given day depending on the conditions.
I was a thruster set up person no matter the conditions, but several years ago thought I'd give quad a go in the SUP, mostly haven't gone back to thruster, I get more speed and can actually go more vertical because of the speed and width of the board compared to prone. so if you can beg, borrow or buy quads do it.

The good thing about the Jimmy Lewis is it came with a thruster and a quad set.

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Surfnbjj said..
So, reading into this answer a bit, am I right in saying quads will keep the board a bit straighter when paddling.

Yes, but the effect is marginal.
If you are really struggling with mastering the row, it can be a temporary fix while you up your paddling technique, but don't expect miracles.
You can also use fins with a wide base, like the C-Drive, that provide grip even at paddling speeds.
Or use 5 fins.

I even used 5 C-drives when taming my first sub-7" board... but to be honest it was more for added control in bigger waves than countering the row effect ;-)

What's the deal with the Quobba fins, I see they originated just down the road from me, do they actually work ?

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Rossall said..
What's the deal with the Quobba fins, I see they originated just down the road from me, do they actually work ?

They are the most impressive fins I ever tried. And I have tried a lot. I only use Quobba fins now.

See the discussion on them: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Quobba-Fins-?

my advice is....don't listen to advice when it comes to thrusters vs quads. Try them both and ride what you like best.
Everyone has a different opinion based on their surf style and waves that they ride.
Whatever you do the best turns on, and the set of fins that your brain syncs best with is the fins you should ride.

Fins are a very personal thing IMO.

Good point Slatz, I have found certain fin set ups work well for different waves in addition to this.

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Surfnbjj said..
Sorry if this has been posted before, but my knowledge of fin setups is limited. What are the main differences between quad and thruster? When would I use one over the other. Just got a new Jimmy Lewis destroyer and had it setup as a thruster. What are the pros/cons of each?

Cheers for any help

Hi mate,If you are anywhere near the Central Coast you can have a ride of my Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 7'7 given you also have one as I have the Quobbas in a thruster set up.

What I can say to you from the get go is that the board really takes off when you get on a wave with these fins.

Ozzie

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ghost4man said..

Surfnbjj said..
Sorry if this has been posted before, but my knowledge of fin setups is limited. What are the main differences between quad and thruster? When would I use one over the other. Just got a new Jimmy Lewis destroyer and had it setup as a thruster. What are the pros/cons of each?

Cheers for any help

Hi mate,If you are anywhere near the Central Coast you can have a ride of my Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 7'7 given you also have one as I have the Quobbas in a thruster set up.

What I can say to you from the get go is that the board really takes off when you get on a wave with these fins.

Ozzie

Hey mate, i just happen to be on the Central Coast. I am starting like the idea of the Quobbas, i will probably go that way after I really get the hang of the board. What did you do with the center fin, get an FCS fin and adaptor?

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Surfnbjj said..

ghost4man said..

Surfnbjj said..
Sorry if this has been posted before, but my knowledge of fin setups is limited. What are the main differences between quad and thruster? When would I use one over the other. Just got a new Jimmy Lewis destroyer and had it setup as a thruster. What are the pros/cons of each?

Cheers for any help

Hi mate,If you are anywhere near the Central Coast you can have a ride of my Jimmy Lewis Destroyer 7'7 given you also have one as I have the Quobbas in a thruster set up.

What I can say to you from the get go is that the board really takes off when you get on a wave with these fins.

Ozzie

Hey mate, i just happen to be on the Central Coast. I am starting like the idea of the Quobbas, i will probably go that way after I really get the hang of the board. What did you do with the center fin, get an FCS fin and adaptor?

Yep only way to go mate. Only thing that dont like about the JL is that it could have been more fin friendly.I have Quobbas and they are great.

This a personal preference to you ,as others have said .For me some boards work better with Quads others work better with thruster
I found that wider tailed boards work better with Quads ,or if you are looking for more speed and drive on a board ,Quads are the go .
I have a 9.1 acid ,I like it with thrusters ,it has a narrow tail .tried it with the quad ,it just made it go too fast and too straight ,
now its up to you to explore ... and don't forget to try a twin with a small centre too .

Or with Quad s you can mix you fins up with different sizes too,
also different flex,I like with a quad ,flex fronts and stiffer rears .

Just to throw another combo into the mix, thruster but big sides and a small centre fin. Have found that is working well recently, lots of speed but control in the turns.

Try them all!

Possibly just my experience but I have found on all my 5 fin boards that the thruster set up improves my backhand i.e. easier to turn up and down the face. I'm a bit stiff on turns on on the quad on backhand.