I'm looking for advice about fins on my Sunova Speeed, specifically to do with helping to eliminate the wobbles or "tippiness". I've had my 8'10" Speeed for about 10 months now and , although it's great in perfect conditions, I find it quite tippy in any chop or wind. Where I surf is at a lake mouth and we often get different currents fron the tidal change and chop from boats going past for a fish. Once on the wave there's no problem. The Speeed carves nicely from the back and, although I'm not into radical turns or lip-smashing, the board still gives me a buzz. But, at 70 years of age and knowing we all have limited time on this planet, I get the ****s when I have to concentrate so hard on not falling off while just waiting for the next set. So....is there anyone who can advise me about whether changing any of the fins would make for a more stable board? I'm sure I can't eliminate the problem altogether but even a 40% improvement would be a godsend.
Thanks in anticipation. [PS: I can't afford a new sup ... or so the wife tells me!]

Just take a seat and relax jimbo takes all the wobble out

Select to expand quote

paperboy said..
Just take a seat and relax jimbo takes all the wobble out

+1

Unless you put something the size of a foil on it you will not notice difference in tipiness. Foils are effected but current and might be worse in your situation. Bigger fins can help with row but at the cost of poorer surfing performance.

Get down and sit on the board while waiting for sets.

Jeebbezzas jimbo 70 and riden the 8,10 speed ! I call that hard core ! Some will say i dont know what im talkin about but im tippin you r usin the 105 stock fins ! have a play around with smaller i use thee 94s in sides and fcs pc_ 5 in the tail on my 8,5 and 8.8 in my 7.11 all round fcs changes aa lot things fins if you can ride a speed it woould b hard to find beetter and you can sit down i prefer to kneel qicker to my feet when sets r comin ! Smack that lip jimbo !!!

"although it's great in perfect conditions, I find it quite tippy in any chop or wind"

It is, it's quite thin the 8'10.

I have an 8'10 and found the same but you need to put some time into it and keep moving in any kinda rip or chop, then it'll stabilise.
Fins, yeah they won't make much difference whilst hanging around for a set, they'll only work once you are moving quickly.. unless you stick something massive in there and then it'll be horrible.

I use PCC-7's in my 8'10, they're great and a nice smaller set than the originals for loosening the tail up a bit because the channels act like mini fins as it is.

All you need (IMO) is if it's a bit cross chop or rippy is to sit down and wait it out.

There is a great thread on here about the 8'10 and another thread about what fins we use in Speeeds.. check them out.

Jimbo

great to hear you are on your 8'10" Speeed and enjoying it!! I have the same board and love it. I used to think it was a bit tippy and then surfed a smaller board (8'7" Creek)...........now the Speeed seems very stable even in chop. So.......think about borrowing a smaller board and flat water paddle it for a bit then get back on the Speeed....perhaps also get a balance board used by physiotherapists for rehabilitating and return of proprioception......again a great way to improve and maintain your comfort on your board.......finally.........don't stop, you are clearly doing something right!

Bob

I apologize if I am teaching you to suck eggs, but foot placement can help with stability. Keeping your feet closer together (and slightly staggered) really can help, even though it may be counter-intuitive.

And remember to use the paddle as a third leg - keep it in the water as much as you can.

And keep moving, even slowly, pointed into the waves (to stop cross chop) if you can.

Again, sorry if you are way beyond this advice.

I agree with the last post... on my 8'5 speeed... I find that if you keep moving it helps greatly

Hi Sup'ers. Thanks for all the advice. Most of what has been suggested, I do. {Foot placement, paddle in water, keep moving, etc.] I'm not the best sup rider around but not a novice either. I just find the Speeed's tippiness annoying, especially when this old bloke wants to head out and relax between waves. Maybe it just means convincing her-indoors I need a Widepoint or something similar. Once again, thanks for the advice. Truly appreciated. Cheers from Jimbo

hey jimbo...you can still ride a 8,10 by just getting a flow ...extra width in the mid section and tail .

or just put bigger fins on .

Interesting Tardy. I would have thought the Speeed was still more stable due to the square nose. The Flow is quite pulled in. The flat deck may make it seem more stable .
I have an 88 Speed and at 65-70kg still find it tippy when windy or choppy . But it's a wierd tippiness. You wobble around but still stay dry most of time.
There are some real contrasting views on stability .
Apparently my board is too "corky" for my weight in big waves so there are a lot of factors .

the flow is wide right to the tail ,i guess thats the difference .31 1/8 vs 29 1/8 the speeds tail is very narrow .
I'VE had mine in some pretty rough stuff ,its pretty stable ,
sure does catch waves easy .
I use the 8'7 flow most of the time ,but the 8'10 is way better in snotty conditions ,and a great small wave board too.

i thought the 8'8 would be perfect for you gboots

As per the Captains comments...:the Speeed is love hate . Off course it's not the boards fault. Have not enjoyed as often at local beach break as I get tossed of the back at least once a session...probably too much volume . But in Bay surf (where ocean meets the river in the Port Hacking) I have had some epic sessions with rides over 300m long along the face with 1 foolish waves.
I fully understand and empathise with the Captains sentiments.
I dearly would like to to try an 8'4 Flow or dare I say a 7'6 to 7'9 Shroom at local beach break. But not sure if I can handle the Flow due to pulled in nose and impact on stability.
Also as Colas stated in another topic , it depends if you go vertical . A pulled in nose is required for vertical surfing and not really for hack surfing.The only vertical surfing I do is from the top of wave and over the falls with an unceremonious ending ....I know my vertical limits.
Stability at take off is the key though . Hate last minute instability whilst paddling for a wave

Yea I have an 8-10 speed ,in choppy unsettled water no standing around just keep moving.anything bigger than stock fins would just be crazy. I run the stock 105s in front with a nice small center works for me and yes I still fall off guess it's just part of the game.

Select to expand quote

Tardy said..
hey jimbo...you can still ride a 8,10 by just getting a flow ...extra width in the mid section and tail .

or just put bigger fins on .

Hey Tardy, You say put bigger fins on, which I originally thought might make the Speeed more stable, but everyone is advising against this or saying it won't make any difference. Have you tried a Speeed or other Sup after changing fins? I really can't afford to change my Speeed and am desperate for any "tweak" ot improve stability, even if it's minor

Select to expand quote

Gboots said..
As per the Captains comments...:the Speeed is love hate . Off course it's not the boards fault. Have not enjoyed as often at local beach break as I get tossed of the back at least once a session...probably too much volume . But in Bay surf (where ocean meets the river in the Port Hacking) I have had some epic sessions with rides over 300m long along the face with 1 foolish waves.
I fully understand and empathise with the Captains sentiments.
I dearly would like to to try an 8'4 Flow or dare I say a 7'6 to 7'9 Shroom at local beach break. But not sure if I can handle the Flow due to pulled in nose and impact on stability.
Also as Colas stated in another topic , it depends if you go vertical . A pulled in nose is required for vertical surfing and not really for hack surfing.The only vertical surfing I do is from the top of wave and over the falls with an unceremonious ending ....I know my vertical limits.
Stability at take off is the key though . Hate last minute instability whilst paddling for a wave

Thanks Gboots. Good to hear from someone who really empathises with my problem. At 70 years of age I don't feel old and can still hack it with most riders 20 years my junior. But, as I said in my original post, 70 ain't 30, and there are only limited years left in the body. I want to keep on suppin' for lots more years but want a bit of relax and comfort out there too. Cheers.

I'd seriously consider either trading it in or selling it and replacing it with either an 8'10 flow or an 8'9 flash. I've ridden both these and the 8'10 speed. The speed is definitely the least stable. I'm a little younger than you but have a dodgy back and knee so needed the extra stability and have found the 8'9 flash to be great for not only stability but also performance.

If you can find a flow or flash second hand, the amount you would lose on the deal would be equivalent to buying a new set of fins anyway and you'd get so much more enjoyment out on the water on the right board.

Select to expand quote

mbuzz said..
I'd seriously consider either trading it in or selling it and replacing it with either an 8'10 flow or an 8'9 flash. I've ridden both these and the 8'10 speed. The speed is definitely the least stable. I'm a little younger than you but have a dodgy back and knee so needed the extra stability and have found the 8'9 flash to be great for not only stability but also performance.

If you can find a flow or flash second hand, the amount you would lose on the deal would be equivalent to buying a new set of fins anyway and you'd get so much more enjoyment out on the water on the right board.

mbuzz, thanks for the advice. I'm on the same page as you. Cheers

Hi Captain.
First off I hope I'm in your position at 70, impressive, keep it up.

Had one go on a speed 8'10, I did like the board.

I had stability issues with my fanatic stylemaster, great in good conditions, not so good In Chop.
And thing is it's easy for us to say, work on balance etc, it will get better. But we don't know just how difficult your conditions might be, and the best guys might still find it hard going.

I bought a 8'6" hypernut, it's a big slab of a board, too big really for my 80kgs.
But, it gets me out on crap days, wave count is high, easy to position for a wave, great stability, fun to ride.
(Not saying buy one).
What it does do is make SUPing in tough conditions a lot more fun, at sacrifice of performance, which I think is a good trade off.

Bottom line, may be think about trading board for a more friendly one, just to enjoy more time on the water.

Select to expand quote

rgmacca said..
Hi Captain.
First off I hope I'm in your position at 70, impressive, keep it up.

Had one go on a speed 8'10, I did like the board.

I had stability issues with my fanatic stylemaster, great in good conditions, not so good In Chop.
And thing is it's easy for us to say, work on balance etc, it will get better. But we don't know just how difficult your conditions might be, and the best guys might still find it hard going.

I bought a 8'6" hypernut, it's a big slab of a board, too big really for my 80kgs.
But, it gets me out on crap days, wave count is high, easy to position for a wave, great stability, fun to ride.
(Not saying buy one).
What it does do is make SUPing in tough conditions a lot more fun, at sacrifice of performance, which I think is a good trade off.

Bottom line, may be think about trading board for a more friendly one, just to enjoy more time on the water.

Thanks macca. I'm of a similar mind. I'll hang on to the Speeed for a while longer, then probably sell and go for a Starboard Widepoint or a Hypernut. What you have just described sounds perfect for me. I'm looking forward to demo'ing one in Merimbula later this year. If either of the Starboards suit then I'll have a serious chat with the Finance Minister [her-indoors] and see what eventuates. Thanks again, I think you've picked my mood pretty well. Cheers, Jimbo

Where are you based Jimbo? There is a guy on the Buy n Sell section in Bondi with an 8'10 flow for sale for $600 which is a steal.

Captain. Don't sell the Speeed .
You will regret it. Had another "Love" day with it today . If you can pick up something like that $600 Flow thatmight be a better option . Speeed plus quality second hand board

Select to expand quote

Gboots said..
Captain. Don't sell the Speeed .
You will regret it. Had another "Love" day with it today . If you can pick up something like that $600 Flow thatmight be a better option . Speeed plus quality second hand board

Agree......I almost sold my 8.7 flow due to un stability problems ...changed the rear fins to a bigger size ...and wa la.
maybe change your fronts to a thicker fin ..also worked for me .

Hi Captain i ride the 8.10 and 8.8 speeds and luv em.I do get same issues but just love the board on the waves too much to unload it.I run c drives in mine and agree with Hilly,fins wont change that quirky tippy orrible time you can have.If you love the surfing side then its easy,get Bert to do you a special custom,speak with im and id be sure you could end up with a cracker board.Go well young fella

Select to expand quote

Lucyloo said..
Hi Captain i ride the 8.10 and 8.8 speeds and luv em.I do get same issues but just love the board on the waves too much to unload it.I run c drives in mine and agree with Hilly,fins wont change that quirky tippy orrible time you can have.If you love the surfing side then its easy,get Bert to do you a special custom,speak with im and id be sure you could end up with a cracker board.Go well young fella

As soon as someone calls me "young fella" I know I'm old. Hahaha! Thanks for the advice but a custom sup is well out of my allowance. Cheers from Jimbo.

Select to expand quote

Tardy said..

Gboots said..
Captain. Don't sell the Speeed .
You will regret it. Had another "Love" day with it today . If you can pick up something like that $600 Flow thatmight be a better option . Speeed plus quality second hand board

Agree......I almost sold my 8.7 flow due to un stability problems ...changed the rear fins to a bigger size ...and wa la.
maybe change your fronts to a thicker fin ..also worked for me .

Everyone says changing fins will make no difference to the instability. Did it work for you, or just improved the surfing? Also, what size did you change to, please? Cheers, Jimbo

Hi captain.I change fins a lot.and it does make a difference .I use large.7 or 9,4 .are you using the 10,4 on your speed or smaller.I use as small as I can for glassy days.but change to bigger XL in the slop.easier to paddle and waiting for wave .you do lose a bit of looseness.but have a better time.

No fins are definitely less stable but make the board loose as hell. So
logic tells me that larger fins should add stability but reduce looseness

I'm now going with a different/bigger board having read the replies and comments.

At 70 you should be enjoying every moment, a wider board will be the best choice IMO. You should get a decent price for the Speeed as they're in demand.. Hope you get another Sunova.. 8'10 Flow perhaps ..

Select to expand quote

SunnyBouy said..
I'm now going with a different/bigger board having read the replies and comments.

At 70 you should be enjoying every moment, a wider board will be the best choice IMO. You should get a decent price for the Speeed as they're in demand.. Hope you get another Sunova.. 8'10 Flow perhaps ..

Or a 9 flash ...love the rounded pin .