Right. Bored at work.
Been doing some varied reading on the google-machine about fins. And it's about as clear as the crapper after my morning ablutions.

Regarding a longboard, what are the pros and cons of single vs tri-fin set ups?
Ignoring the traditional aspect, of course....

If you had a board that can run either option, when would you run tri v single etc?

Cheers!

I wouldn't...I'd run a board setup as 2+1 with the same sides & just swap out the middle with bigger or smaller centres.

I was about to start a similar topic so thanks

I have found over the last month of riding my Longboards a few things.

When it is fat and rolling nothing beats a big single I put a 10' in for the drive and how it slows you down to what the wave will let you do.

When it has a wall or even just a nice shape I will go 2 +1 without hesitation (unless there is a single in when I get to the beach and I will be to our lazy to change it) as the wave shape and fins just love it,it does what a big single will do .... it will also let you be so much tighter in your turns (cutbacks the 2+1 shows its stuff.....

My hp is definitely a thruster...it hasnt even a box the poor girl....just all plugs

There should be a fin topic at the top permanently.

Heaps of good stuff lost and the search function doesn't go back far enough

But have a click on this one and have a look around.

www.google.com.au/search?site=&source=hp&ei=qVAcWL6NJ4H_0gTW-6LoDg&q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seabreeze.com.au%2Fforums%2FSurfing%2FLongboarding%2F+fins&oq=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seabreeze.com.au%2Fforums%2FSurfing%2FLongboarding%2F+fins&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.3...6756.9114.0.9731.7.7.0.1.1.0.414.1733.2-6j0j1.7.0....0...1c.1j2.64.mobile-gws-hp..0.1.20.3..41.9SLL5G8CN8o

Chrispy sums it up well but kinda comes down to personal preference.

Like Chrispy only use the 2+1 on a wave with guts otherwise single for the fat slow small fullish waves

10' noserider ... 10" single dolphin. tried hatchet style fins but if you still need to turn the sucker you need a dolphin.

9' HP ... 6.5" thruster set up. If your not log riding you dont need the bigger centre fin, keep it loose knowing your not riding in a traditional style.

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SP said..
There should be a fin topic at the top permanently.

Should be but LL left us

Each to their own. Personally, I only ride single fins, just like the feel. But I do use a lot of different fins. 10 footer with a hatchet, 9'4" wth a 11" flexy fin when the wave is quick, or a 10" fatboy for nose riding waves.
Only use thruster setup on the mid length.

2+1 generally...1 inch of fin per board is my rule

I'Ve always had thrusters or 2+1 but looking at mixing it up with a single or double/twin.

The wife-boss took me to Byron last weekend for our anniversary... And I was allowed to take my board!
Anyway, very new board. Surfed it a few times as a 2+1 set up. Loved the board. Whacked a 10" Island Fin Design .. not too sure what 'shape' they call it, somewhat similar to a standard dolphin.. board felt like it had the brakes on... Just switched back this arvo to the 2+1, and hoping for a morning surf to compare again...
Of course, if the 2+1 set up runs better, no one is allowed to tell the missus... especially considering I bought myself the fin, but not an anniversary present for her!

Some boards and rockers just suit 1+2, and other boards suit Singles... Plus wave variance, and surfer style of surfing...

You can solve your own problems pretty quickly! :)

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Simondo said..
Some boards and rockers just suit 1+2, and other boards suit Singles... Plus wave variance, and surfer style of surfing...

You can solve your own problems pretty quickly! :)

Welcome back mate I was only think about you last week

Thanks. It's been a long break!

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Simondo said...
Some boards and rockers just suit 1+2, and other boards suit Singles... Plus wave variance, and surfer style of surfing...

You can solve your own problems pretty quickly! :)

Yep

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Simondo said...
Thanks. It's been a long break!

Welcome back - your input has been missed

Hi all well since returning to longboarding / surfing after a 8 year hiatus i have started to get a few different fins together ,i bought a shapers fin when i bought the board (oceon blue) but since then i have bought some different sizes and different materials .I have a 9 inch poly carb as well as a 10 and a 5 plus the fiberglass 9 .Someone told me that the poly fins hum when there being used but i dont know about that anyone here know anything of this urban myth ?

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crispy1960 said..
Hi all well since returning to longboarding / surfing after a 8 year hiatus i have started to get a few different fins together ,i bought a shapers fin when i bought the board (oceon blue) but since then i have bought some different sizes and different materials .I have a 9 inch poly carb as well as a 10 and a 5 plus the fiberglass 9 .Someone told me that the poly fins hum when there being used but i dont know about that anyone here know anything of this urban myth ?

I've had boards hum or zing or whatever when they're flying down the line but never really localised where the noise was coming from, nor cared...feeling of going that fast sure feels good though

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Simondo said...
Thanks. It's been a long break!

Why?

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vanders1 said..

Simondo said...
Thanks. It's been a long break!

Why?

making millions and lecturing the less fortunate

that **** takes time and effort bro...you know how many numbers are involved in that

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vanders1 said..

Simondo said...
Thanks. It's been a long break!

Why?

Got sick on talking to dickheads on the internet

www.jimbanksurf.com/single-post/2016/12/02/Getting-Your-Fins-Right



Getting your fins right has always been an intriguing and confusing issue for most surfers.

Even for myself, it’s taken a lifetime of close observation and endless designing and testing of surfboards to really understand surfboard fins and what they do and don’t do. And with the multitude of options these days, it can be a very confusing minefield for a surfer looking for a fin to match his board. So here’s a quick rundown of the basics…


Overall Fin Area - is going to determine in general, the overall hold and drive of your fins. If your board is lacking drive and drifting too much through turns, try a fin with more area. But here’s an interesting thing. If your board is skipping out a little on harder turns, you probably have too much fin and they are creating too much lift thru the turn and causing your board to skip out of the water. Fin Base - a longer base fin will give you more drive and stability… but also require more effort to turn. And naturally a shorter base fin, less stable, less drive, but easier to turn. The effect of the base of the fin base tends to be more noticeable as you lean into and start your turn, and especially in bottom turns. So if your’s boards lacking drive off the bottom, try a wider base fin. Board’s feeling a bit stiff off the bottom? Try a narrower base fin.


Fin Tip - in general the area of fin tip will tend to affect the later part of turn and in the top turns. if your board is feeling a bit stiff in the the later part of your turn, or off the top, try a fin with a finer tip. Looking for more drive and punch in the latter part of your turns and off the top? Try a fin with a beefier fin tip.


Fin Rake - In general, a fins rake will determine it’s ability to project distance and pivot in turns. A fin with more rake will tend to project more and pivot less while a more upright fin will pivot more and project less. So need more pivot? Go for a more upright fin. Need more distance out of your turns? Try a fin with more rake.


While a fin will never overcome a lacking in a board’s design, finding the right fin to suit your board and your surfing can often bring a whole new life to a board that might have been previously been just not cutting it for you.

And of course, these aspects of fin design are only part of the story as there’s toe in, cant and flex that also need to be considered. But that’s another story for another time…


If you can get a good understanding of the basic factors above, they will go a long way to helping you choose the right fin for your board and your surfing. All the best! Jim Banks

I like the 2+1 fin set up in my boards as i am never anywhere near the nose. I just bought a 8" glass pivot fin. Really upright with little rake, and i think its great. On my lightweight 9'4" Mark Rabadge board if the waves are just right it snaps around like a shortboard. I think all the tail rocker helps too.

Okay.

Need some Suggestions for a 6.5 inch center fin.

Going in a 2+1 egg about 7 ft.

FCS make great fins,
www.surffcs.com.au
hope this helps.

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SP said..
Okay.

Need some Suggestions for a 6.5 inch center fin.

Going in a 2+1 egg about 7 ft.

I used to have a lovely 7'2 Eggy kind of board that i loved. I had it with a single 7'' dolphin fin for a while and then a two-plus one... the best for me by a mile turned out to be a 7 inch Fluid Foils Soul Flex with sides. (pic is of the 8'', but you get the gist)...I think I tried to place the Soulflex about where it would have sat if it was a rear thruster fin. Anyway, i know nothing, but it worked great. Seemed to slingshot into the turns. I was the king of soul and flow. (All this is true except that last bit).

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SP said..
Okay.

Need some Suggestions for a 6.5 inch center fin.

Going in a 2+1 egg about 7 ft.

I just purchased a shapers 6" 2+1 shapers.com.au/6-performance-box-thruster/ on my 7ft funboard.

Happy so far.

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Cobra said..
FCS make great fins,
www.surffcs.com.au
hope this helps.

Well said..

And cheers Warnsey & McG will have a look at them.

I think I want a pretty upright type of fin. Thinking I might look at the takayama Howard mini fin.

I'm looking for an image for you SP

Give me a second

Please go on, I am just lurking here but am reading and paying attention.
i have nothin to add which will bring value but I am learning ( I have not got my mal fin set up right just yet)

anyway please go on