Hi Guys - Simondo's post prompted me to ask this question...

I am an occasional LB rider (mainly surf a large fish), and have a 9.1 McT Fireball Evo in SLX. When I first got it I found it hard to adjust, so ended up taking out the side fins and have been riding it that way since...

I mostly surf small fast beach breaks and found that when running the centre fin only I could spin and paddle into a wave quicker and could also paddle into the wave with a more parallel approach (this was almost essential as there was no time for a bottom turn on these fast beachies).

Anyways, I have noted that on occassion it slides on take off... so wanted to try the side fins... but cannot find them!! (I'll keep looking - but the Mrs is sleeping after night shift).

It has a 8" fiberglass centre that I have about an inch from the front of the fin box. I have a pair of FCS FG-5's. Will these be OK? From memory they are larger than the originals...

Thanks in advance for the advice...

The bigger side fins are ok in faster solid waves. The smaller GXQ and GX & GL side fins offer better release, rail to rail.

General rule, smaller side fins with 8 & 9 inch centre fins. At 7.5 or under, you can venture towards the larger size side fins.

A mate down here surfs his Mal with only the inside side fin, plus Centre Fin. For forehand surfing, he leaves the toe side fin in place, and removes the heel side fin.

Similar reasons to as you have described.

I can see the logic of leaving one of the side bites out when you're scooting across the face, but his cut backs must feel strange.

50% of it is in the mind I reckon!

If you intend to run the 8 inch with sides then the biggest you would want to go would be GX sides and you would need to move your centre back to mid box at least (I would go a tad back from centre)
Ideally for a fast sucky wave on that board I would run no bigger than a 7 inch (6 to 6 1/2 better) with M5 or similar sides. In very sucky waves the sides are crucial and the centre will only really help with a bit of drive and as a pivot on your cutbacks.

Thanks guys...

I'm a bit confused with comments I have read about putting the centre fin further back (even in relation to Doggies little 6'4" McT).

From earlier days on a shortboard with 'skeg box' to increase looseness we used to put the fins as far forward as possible... as it moves the pivot point forward. It seems that most of the LB riders seem to have them much further back - doesn't this just make it harder to turn??

...perhaps I am too far forward on the board... (not forgetting that I am riding small and fast beach breaks).

Thanks again.

GPA, agree pretty much with Simondo and BB re the sides. A few of us have even been trying GX (larger) on the forehand side and GL (smaller) on the backhand. But you need to experiment as it often comes down to things like an individual surfer's weight/height/experience/whether they are more front or back foot dominant in their stance and style/whether they want to nose ride it or surf off the tail/etc. Hope that's confused you!
I am 70kg and about 5'10 and found the 7" McT fin and either GL or GX worked well for me on that board in most surf (we have it as a demo). - Mark