Good morning,

I tried to reply on the below topic, but too hold... so new one!
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Naish-9-Hokua?page=2

So... the point of the topic is to get some insights regarding fins that might suit me for small - medium surf...
Doing some research, I found countless pages explaining all the theory and fewer with actual recommandations, but in most of the case, all reco I found are for 80-90kg riders...
and I am 67kg :-)

So... I mostly surf in Mornington peninsula: Big left, flinders, pt Leo...
So far I had a no name 10.6 hybrid which was my first SUP. a bit heavy, but got me into the sport.
regarding my level, I would say probably intermediate: I can take waves as long as they are not too big or too hollow... I paddle alright, can drop in, bottom turn etc...

I got a new board today, Naish Hokua 9' - model 2010 I believe
I only SUP in surf, so I figured I was better off with a shortboard design, and given my light weight, 9' should still be stable enough.
The board came with no center fin and 2 side (fiberglass - probably about medium size SUP fins, look like the original fins based on pictures seen on post above).

What would have been the size / shape of the original fin coming with the board? anybody?

So at this stage, I have the following options to test my new board:
- 2+1 with the 2 sides that came on it + the center fin of my other board (about 9 inches - fiberglass)
- quad with the 2 sides at the back and my small FCS fins from my surfboard at the front.

I would rather try the 2+1 first as I have always been surfing in thruster and happy to get the extra stability BUT I wonder if my 9 inches center will not be way over sized for the board and my weight...

What would be your recommandations?

Thanks a lot!

the combination of the size of your 9t board, which carries a lot of extra width ,thickness.to work out the fins, it comes back to your weight,67kg .Hopefully its all muscle , which should equal power to push fins with determination through strength,, 67kg of the good life won't do that. so its gotta start off the rail then as gravity turns on, the strength needed to set any fin combination is minimal.my call is keep it simple, the big fin only, two fingers up from the rear of the box ,mark it with a pen, thats your datum .ive tried a zillion fins of 45years, and it always comes down to the swing of the board, from kneeboards to sups,ive heard that backing off the fin screw and surf,recheck the pen mark and thus tighten where the board wanted its fin makes a tuning your board a bit tech. as for side bites 87mm dvs from shapers are the bomb for both 3 style widowmakers to Quads. hope that helps

Thanks Burleigh

you said: "my call is keep it simple, the big fin only"
so you reckon I should go single fin?

my only single fin experience is on a longboard at Noosa and I was pathetic... so pretty scared to take off the side fins... a bit like taking the side wheels off yor bike when your a kid I guess...

Select to expand quote

Renaud said..
I would rather try the 2+1 first as I have always been surfing in thruster

Just get a center fin the same size as the side and set up your board as a thruster. 2+1 will feel much too stiff for you, especially at your weight, if you are used to thrusters.

"9' should still be stable enough." - note that stability is given by the width, especially at the nose and tail. Length is needed at the start but because you do not have yet the paddling technique for mastering the row effect.

Renaud ,your weight you got nothing haha,but a hip and hopefully the reflexes of a a ninja .pressure point and learning how to sup from behind the middle of your board, like the Mal at Noosa you prob forgot to lock THEN load the rail{line},which should give you a seat on the bus ,so to say,.hope that solves some issues, these fundamental movements are tied in with any fin combination ,I thought starting with one fin , is simple ,couple of waves ,pull the side fins out of your pocket and screw them in with a fin key