Okay I'm really struggling.

I have recently ordered a custom board. I was chasing something a little different than what i currently ride. Both my Sweet potato and Evo are back foot boards and i really wanted something to cruise a little more on softer days. Heaps of paddle and something i can surf a bit more up forward.

So to Soul Long boards and Ross is making me a 6'8" board similar to a Takayama Scorpion. Single fin with side bites although after looking the board up online, i have changed to a 5 fin system..
I think as a quad on a good day will be heaps of fun also..

My question is though i have no idea on fins and options.

Im simply chasing ideas on what to start with..The board will have futures boxes and i think the main single set up should around 7 to 7.5 in size, but really don't even know were to start so please any ideas would be great..

Would something like this be a start
www.wetfins.com.au/surfboard-fins/longboard-fins/shapers-fins-7-clearwater-2-1-futures-blue/

Price is not really an issue..

Oh and maybe a good place to order also..

Thanks in advance.
It will be similar to this..

I have a similar shape in a 6'10" and use a 6.5" fin. I tried smaller and didn't like it, but have never felt the need for bigger. I have four singlies so have a variety to try but haven't bothered. Shapers have a variety of fins in different sizes and shapes.

Something like this:

shapers.com.au/6-performance-box-thruster-1/

Or

m.surfstitch.com/h5/catalog?prodId=prod5640007v&loadPage=&id=pdp

Yeah I got a very similar outline 6'2 & really thought 2 + 1 would be the go but found the board went a lot better as a quad. I'd go something like these;
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SEA-HC-R-QUAD-SET-4-FINS-surfboard-fins-compatible-with-Future-Boxes-NEW-/142151245817?hash=item2118dfdff9:g:U5oAAOSw9IpX04ax

btw its not a LB its a funboard

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thedrip said..
I have a similar shape in a 6'10" and use a 6.5" fin. I tried smaller and didn't like it, but have never felt the need for bigger. I have four singlies so have a variety to try but haven't bothered. Shapers have a variety of fins in different sizes and shapes.

Something like this:

shapers.com.au/6-performance-box-thruster-1/

Or

m.surfstitch.com/h5/catalog?prodId=prod5640007v&loadPage=&id=pdp

Thanks Drip. The Shapers is along the lines. I should have said maybe I'm 100 kilos. Do you go bigger fins for size/weight or is it more to do with board volume

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MickPC said..
Yeah I got a very similar outline 6'2 & really thought 2 + 1 would be the go but found the board went a lot better as a quad. I'd go something like these;
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SEA-HC-R-QUAD-SET-4-FINS-surfboard-fins-compatible-with-Future-Boxes-NEW-/142151245817?hash=item2118dfdff9:g:U5oAAOSw9IpX04ax

btw its not a LB its a funboard

Thanks Mick, as for quads, would my normal quads be okay to start with I have a variety already..Will it be the same theory as short boards, IE larger for my weight and fin shape for different handling, speed ect

Sorry when i say long board, its long for me

I have wanted something more that i could just cruise on, but watching the videos of it as a quad, looks like a lot of fun. Im hoping it paddles like i hope..

I have a Modern Lovechild in 7'6" which is a copy of the McT Sumo - which in itself is a copy of a Tak Scorp. It has the five fin option and I run a large set of Quad Performers (FCSII).

I am a big unit at 112kg on a good day - so need all of the 56lt.

The larger fins are for a larger surfer - let's you push more without skating... I think the single fin that came with it is a 7" - but I have not tried it yet - the quad goes well and it's looser than I expected for such a big fat board (3 1/4" thick and 21.5" wide).

I've ridden it from waist high to 1.5x overhead and had no probs with it losing the tail.

Absolutely...give your normal quads a go first mate. And hey its a funboard for small waves, its not going to give you high performance. But it will give you some fun in small waves. Although I reckon it might give you some quiver overlap considering boards you allready own & your local waves. You should stop stuffing around & get a proper longboard. Like a 9'4 Clearwater whalebone for summer

Standard rule of thumb is basically an inch for a foot then play around with placement and side bites. Drip suggested a 6.5 which is about right as a starter I would think. Flex and rake play a big part. I love lots of rake but others hate it. Fins are cheaper than boards and can be used for other boards or easily sold or purchased second hand as well plus you can normally borrow them. Sweet potato and an Evo is an awesome quiver Buy one of Macs old (new) boards as your long board.

Just got this..

GPA yeah the love child got me thinking. I saw them on special and thought id just order a custom and let Ross do the dimensions..

The side bite fins, are they really just the same as a rear set of quads to start with Lots of single fin options, but not as many set's available..

If you are running it as a single 7 inch will be perfect as Ted said 1 per foot and the little extra will add to drive.
Thank god Lacey is not around to add,he is running a thruster set up in his 10 foot log hahaha.
Rod nice shape mate,now when you nature go a 9.1 I think you will enjoy.

Small the tail width wider the fin base

I use much smaller side bites. I have tried quad rears and didn't like them. I run either the small FCS V2s or Wayne Lynch side bites in the four 2+1s I have. The V2 tears are a bit smaller than the other quad set ups I have. The Wayne Lynch fins are much smaller, but the center fin larger.

2+1 is my favourite set up as I like the pivot of the center fin.

In my 6'10" the side bites are plastic numbers about half way between the Lynch and V2s. I prefer an upright fin too, but everyone is different. Probably best to accept it will take a while to dial your fins in. Get a set of significantly smaller side bites since you don't have any and can always use a set you already own if you don't like them. That's how I have figured out what I do and don't like - by trying a new set with every board. Now I have quite a nice fin collection.

Thanks for all that, time for me to digest and look again..

What exactly do the side bites achieve

The side bites are supposedly.to break the track of a single fin wanting to go in a straight line

u can get away with alot of fin variations on these type of boards, but for me i'd forget the single and go for a 2+1 something like gx side and a 7 inch middle fin

If you want it surf more like a thruster drop the size of the middle fin and increase the sides. S3s and a 6.5
Or just go the whole way and ride it as a thruster something like a s9 or s7. FCS sell an adapter so you ca put a fcs fin in the fin box

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jbshack said...
Thanks for all that, time for me to digest and look again..

What exactly do the side bites achieve

JB side bites are attached to fend off sharks

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SP said..
The side bites are supposedly.to break the track of a single fin wanting to go in a straight line

u can get away with alot of fin variations on these type of boards, but for me i'd forget the single and go for a 2+1 something like gx side and a 7 inch middle fin

If you want it surf more like a thruster drop the size of the middle fin and increase the sides. S3s and a 6.5
Or just go the whole way and ride it as a thruster something like a s9 or s7. FCS sell an adapter so you ca put a fcs fin in the fin box

Thanks, yeah i was thinking 2+1 all along. I'm also curious as a quad on days when its bigger but still fat..

Any good online shops to check out.. The shapers page has heaps of options, but all out of stock..

Ebay has heaps also, but they look cheap and I'm not really wanting to waist to much time..I was hoping to buy quality and if works mint, if not I've still got a sellable item..



Mac ill have my rpela fitted for the sharks

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SP said..


i'd forget the single and go for a 2+1 something like gx side and a 7 inch middle fin

Best advice given in this thread.

Shapers are good guys, but if they're out of stock take a look at Surf Eclipse they have quality fins, I've bought several sets off them. They are also good for replacements.

http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/surfeclipse?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

But hey try your quads before you go shelling out more cash. I gave the 2+1 setup a good run on my similar shaped board & the quads run heaps better.

Couple of other points...inch per foot does not apply when you have sides & your not surfing the SW like Drip so your talking a totally different ball game. He is also 6'2 & tall people need more fin than shorter people, especially when your surfing waves double head & up.

Places like Mindarie & Triggs have fast breaking small waves suited to quads...try them first before you buy fins to put aside for your real longboard

Fins are so overpriced,around 180 bucks for thruster set and over 200 bucks for quads go on gumtree and pick a couple of sets up for half the price.My sister has a similar board to that its 6'6 and she has a 6.5 inch shapers centre fin with side bites and reckons its great,I surfed it with standard thruster fins,so much fun in fat wally waves,quad would be good if it was for hollower stuff,I buy all my fins on gumtree now,maybe sea breeze should have a fin section in its buy and sell.

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MickPC said...
Shapers are good guys, but if they're out of stock take a look at Surf Eclipse they have quality fins, I've bought several sets off them. They are also good for replacements.

http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/surfeclipse?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

But hey try your quads before you go shelling out more cash. I gave the 2+1 setup a good run on my similar shaped board & the quads run heaps better.

Couple of other points...inch per foot does not apply when you have sides & your not surfing the SW like Drip so your talking a totally different ball game. He is also 6'2 & tall people need more fin than shorter people, especially when your surfing waves double head & up.

Places like Mindarie & Triggs have fast breaking small waves suited to quads...try them first before you buy fins to put aside for your real longboard

I initially bought my version in Kirra because none of my WA boards were working in the gutless waves (sorry Mac - I know it's a touchy subject) on offer at Snapper. Waist to head high. It went great. Even on a knee to waist high day.

I was completely surprised by how versatile the board turned out to be and have surfed it on a huge 8', but fat-ish point break. Mine doesn't have a quad option so I can't comment on that, but it does surf big and small surprisingly well. Sucky waves aren't its forte but it will do it, just paddle sideways a bit to engage the rail early and to avoid relying on nose rocker. If it is more sumo based the nose will also be pulled in more than mine which is more of a standard longboard rounded nose so that will help in beachies too.

This was the board that turned me onto the joys of longboard shapes so welcome to the dark side.

The side bites do exactly what smh said, and they also help hold a higher tighter line. I've had my longboard and 7' single get a bit funky while trying to go fast on really wally waves. Up north and the last section if inji point as it starts to run and grow.

As a result of that board I have completely changed my quiver over the last two years.

What did you end up with?

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Surf69 said..
What did you end up with?

Board is a few weeks away still.

I so far have picked up a FCS Fluid foil single fin (second hand). Its a 7.25 and i have ordered a set of plastic SB1 from Futures online. There are only a 3.5 in size so should be a start. I also found yesterday a set of Alpha's that are a little bigger but looked real nice 3.75 i think. So i grabbed them. I was starting to think id have trouble finding side bites in futures, but have now found a few options.

Still looking for a few more single fins second hand. I did find some on line, but people just don't return calls or emails, i don't get it, if people want to sell stuff, why advertise and don't take calls

Im looking for a bit smaller sizes i think, but it can't hurt to have a few different options..

I think a buy sell section, dedicated to just fins would be a great addition to SB

I found the man that can help you jb

Nice Chrispy..Not a lot of advice but he certainly has a heap of stoke..

Funny part is when i ordered it, i told Ross what i wanted and had not seen (or paid any attention too) these boards. In fact when he said yeah it sounds like you want a Scorpion, i went home a googled Mctavish Scorp..

Then i found this video and got really excited about the board

A lot surf them as quads it seems, but for me its a little more cruise, so wanting that single style, but have a some stretch quads that should work well also

Wait until I post his video about volume

I ride mine as quad and nothing else...

small fat gutless surf I put big rears in. Bit more shape or push and if I'm not lazy I will put the smaller ones in.

Sometimes I will ride it as a thruster and it still goes really well but not my liking.

As a single fin these boards are failures unless the board is over 7' or a absolute boat. I find in the small gutless surf you want to use it in they go ****. That's where you should stick to your potato or a log... The small single does not give it drive and the board is not big enough to trim so it loses everywhere as a single Imo.

All those style of boards do ....run it as quad

My 7'6 was my most used board until I tweaked a 6'6 version of it, now I find that is my most used board. Take one step and you are doing a cheater five and one step back and you are doing a cutback.... my kind of surfing now

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thedrip said..

MickPC said...
Shapers are good guys, but if they're out of stock take a look at Surf Eclipse they have quality fins, I've bought several sets off them. They are also good for replacements.

http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/surfeclipse?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

But hey try your quads before you go shelling out more cash. I gave the 2+1 setup a good run on my similar shaped board & the quads run heaps better.

Couple of other points...inch per foot does not apply when you have sides & your not surfing the SW like Drip so your talking a totally different ball game. He is also 6'2 & tall people need more fin than shorter people, especially when your surfing waves double head & up.

Places like Mindarie & Triggs have fast breaking small waves suited to quads...try them first before you buy fins to put aside for your real longboard

I initially bought my version in Kirra because none of my WA boards were working in the gutless waves (sorry Mac - I know it's a touchy subject ) on offer at Snapper. Waist to head high. It went great. Even on a knee to waist high day.

I was completely surprised by how versatile the board turned out to be and have surfed it on a huge 8', but fat-ish point break. Mine doesn't have a quad option so I can't comment on that, but it does surf big and small surprisingly well. Sucky waves aren't its forte but it will do it, just paddle sideways a bit to engage the rail early and to avoid relying on nose rocker. If it is more sumo based the nose will also be pulled in more than mine which is more of a standard longboard rounded nose so that will help in beachies too.

This was the board that turned me onto the joys of longboard shapes so welcome to the dark side.

The side bites do exactly what smh said, and they also help hold a higher tighter line. I've had my longboard and 7' single get a bit funky while trying to go fast on really wally waves. Up north and the last section if inji point as it starts to run and grow.

As a result of that board I have completely changed my quiver over the last two years.

Your second last paragraph says what I'm on about. I know JB's waves intimately, fast breaking beachies, always chasing the next section, rarely cutting back. You want to hold high & fly down the line past the close out sections. Otherwise I'd be recommending 2+1 also

Give it a go as a quad you'll be stoked and that stretch quad set I'll be perfect, especially in fast wally waves
sounds like your getting a few options and in my opinion trial and error will get you there, everyones different.

with my 2+1 set up I have really quite small side bites ( shapers ) with a great 7 1/4 single fin (island style) and that's perfect for me on that board....however I tried a few variations getting it there, you are going to have so much fun with that board and a variation with fin set ups for different waves and will see you rarely ride another board I'm thinking?

Ross has done a great job on the blank and I can't wait to see the finished product.

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MickPC said..

thedrip said..

MickPC said...
Shapers are good guys, but if they're out of stock take a look at Surf Eclipse they have quality fins, I've bought several sets off them. They are also good for replacements.

http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/surfeclipse?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

But hey try your quads before you go shelling out more cash. I gave the 2+1 setup a good run on my similar shaped board & the quads run heaps better.

Couple of other points...inch per foot does not apply when you have sides & your not surfing the SW like Drip so your talking a totally different ball game. He is also 6'2 & tall people need more fin than shorter people, especially when your surfing waves double head & up.

Places like Mindarie & Triggs have fast breaking small waves suited to quads...try them first before you buy fins to put aside for your real longboard

I initially bought my version in Kirra because none of my WA boards were working in the gutless waves (sorry Mac - I know it's a touchy subject ) on offer at Snapper. Waist to head high. It went great. Even on a knee to waist high day.

I was completely surprised by how versatile the board turned out to be and have surfed it on a huge 8', but fat-ish point break. Mine doesn't have a quad option so I can't comment on that, but it does surf big and small surprisingly well. Sucky waves aren't its forte but it will do it, just paddle sideways a bit to engage the rail early and to avoid relying on nose rocker. If it is more sumo based the nose will also be pulled in more than mine which is more of a standard longboard rounded nose so that will help in beachies too.

This was the board that turned me onto the joys of longboard shapes so welcome to the dark side.

The side bites do exactly what smh said, and they also help hold a higher tighter line. I've had my longboard and 7' single get a bit funky while trying to go fast on really wally waves. Up north and the last section if inji point as it starts to run and grow.

As a result of that board I have completely changed my quiver over the last two years.

Your second last paragraph says what I'm on about. I know JB's waves intimately, fast breaking beachies, always chasing the next section, rarely cutting back. You want to hold high & fly down the line past the close out sections. Otherwise I'd be recommending 2+1 also

Mick im not really thinking it will work at my local. The lip pitches a bit fast for that and TBH the Evo just loves that place. Like it was made for it.

The new board is for super slow days there, but also places like Spot. Or even Mulla point. Yallingup down south Mutton bird island on the right day. I wanted a massive wave catching machine hence the 6'8" but id be dishonest saying that I'm not nervous about the volume and size..

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Surf69 said..
Give it a go as a quad you'll be stoked and that stretch quad set I'll be perfect, especially in fast wally waves
sounds like your getting a few options and in my opinion trial and error will get you there, everyones different.

with my 2+1 set up I have really quite small side bites ( shapers ) with a great 7 1/4 single fin (island style) and that's perfect for me on that board....however I tried a few variations getting it there, you are going to have so much fun with that board and a variation with fin set ups for different waves and will see you rarely ride another board I'm thinking?

Ross has done a great job on the blank and I can't wait to see the finished product.

Looks like I'm going to get it right before heading down south

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jbshack said...

MickPC said..

thedrip said..

MickPC said...
Shapers are good guys, but if they're out of stock take a look at Surf Eclipse they have quality fins, I've bought several sets off them. They are also good for replacements.

http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/surfeclipse?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

But hey try your quads before you go shelling out more cash. I gave the 2+1 setup a good run on my similar shaped board & the quads run heaps better.

Couple of other points...inch per foot does not apply when you have sides & your not surfing the SW like Drip so your talking a totally different ball game. He is also 6'2 & tall people need more fin than shorter people, especially when your surfing waves double head & up.

Places like Mindarie & Triggs have fast breaking small waves suited to quads...try them first before you buy fins to put aside for your real longboard

I initially bought my version in Kirra because none of my WA boards were working in the gutless waves (sorry Mac - I know it's a touchy subject ) on offer at Snapper. Waist to head high. It went great. Even on a knee to waist high day.

I was completely surprised by how versatile the board turned out to be and have surfed it on a huge 8', but fat-ish point break. Mine doesn't have a quad option so I can't comment on that, but it does surf big and small surprisingly well. Sucky waves aren't its forte but it will do it, just paddle sideways a bit to engage the rail early and to avoid relying on nose rocker. If it is more sumo based the nose will also be pulled in more than mine which is more of a standard longboard rounded nose so that will help in beachies too.

This was the board that turned me onto the joys of longboard shapes so welcome to the dark side.

The side bites do exactly what smh said, and they also help hold a higher tighter line. I've had my longboard and 7' single get a bit funky while trying to go fast on really wally waves. Up north and the last section if inji point as it starts to run and grow.

As a result of that board I have completely changed my quiver over the last two years.

Your second last paragraph says what I'm on about. I know JB's waves intimately, fast breaking beachies, always chasing the next section, rarely cutting back. You want to hold high & fly down the line past the close out sections. Otherwise I'd be recommending 2+1 also

Mick im not really thinking it will work at my local. The lip pitches a bit fast for that and TBH the Evo just loves that place. Like it was made for it.

The new board is for super slow days there, but also places like Spot. Or even Mulla point. Yallingup down south Mutton bird island on the right day. I wanted a massive wave catching machine hence the 6'8" but id be dishonest saying that I'm not nervous about the volume and size..

Great shape for Yals. Especially with all the Longboarders out there.

Personally, unless it's small Yals, I don't think it's a very good no nose shortboard wave. The way the wave backs off and surges as it hits the different ledges means you either need to be a strong paddler or good at taking off under the lip (I am neither). Flat rocker and a wide nose will help you glide into them far better.