Back to top

Fin size impact on stability (question)

Created by Cheni123 Cheni123  > 9 months ago, 14 Jun 2024
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
Cheni123
Cheni123

26 posts

14 Jun 2024 6:48pm
Hello all
If speed doesnt matter, would a larger fin on a race board always give more stability?
Or whether under chop/currents a large fin will be less stable?
Tnx
DavidJohn
DavidJohn

VIC

17569 posts

14 Jun 2024 9:28pm
I would say a larger fin on a race board will offer you more stability regardless of chop and currents.
colas
colas

5370 posts

15 Jun 2024 3:15am
I would recommend using a very narrow fin, one with a small chord.

The reason is that you will have less hold than a wide fin at rest, so less stability, but as soon as you paddle you will get nearly as much hold and stability than the wider fin.

This way you will have the best of both worlds:
- stability and directional stability while paddling
- but ability to do quick turns by stalling the board, for instance around buoys

Things like this:
www.oceanspecific.com/products/os-r-f3-blaze-sup-race-fin
www.makanifins.com/products/kawa-stand-up-paddle-sup-race-weed-fins

But wider fins have their use, for instance in sprints to be able to apply max power without bothering managing the row effect, e.g:
www.supgower.com/2016/11/sup-racing-fins/
But you will turn like a barge.
Tardy
Tardy

5292 posts

15 Jun 2024 7:45am
Having the right size fin is important ,on my 14 I like it with a 10 inch fin in flat and currents and if swell riding I prefer
a 9 or 9 1/2 ,but yes the 10 inch is a lot stabler and provides better pointing ,if thats what your after ,make sure you have fibreglass or carbon fins NOT plastic flexible fins they are very unstable ,and provide little performance ,
Cheni123
Cheni123

26 posts

21 Jun 2024 10:54pm
Thanks guys!
End of posts
Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply

Return To Classic site