Hi all,

Can anybody help with advise what will be the best fin for JP Funster 180L with NP HELLCAT 7.7 combo?

According to a select model;

www.select-hydrofoils.com/en/fin-selectors/freeride/

You would be doing ok with a 45cm fin

For free riding fin size is proportional to sail size. So you have a smaller fin for stronger winds and smaller gear.

A good rule of thumb told to me on a clinic by Guy Cribb to help in the fin choice for planing conditions is:

Fin size = (sail size times 5) + 4.

i.e For the 7.7, Fin size = 7.7*5 + 4 = 42.5.

or for a 6.7, Fin size = 6.7*5 + 4 = 37.5. I use a 38.

For a 5.0, Fin size = 5*5 + 4 = 29.

The rule is go your fin choice closest to the number above the number. So 44 is spot on for the 7.7. However, when learning you may use a 5.0 on a big board in non planing conditions so you would not want a 29 fin. You could probably stick with the big fin until getting to stronger wins.

Cheers for your advise guys!

With a board like a Funster you can get away with smaller fins.

http://jp-australia.com/2014/products/boards/funster/

Recommended fin is 34.

I have a similar style board, Tabou Coolrider 190. It also comes recommended with a 34 fin. I quite often use it with a chunky 29 wave fin with lots of area. The beauty is that I can muck around in very shallow water and weed does not catch. If I want to go faster I plug in a 38 freeride fin.

These boards are very versatile and are not too sensitive to fin choice so it'll be hard for you to go wrong. The more performance oriented the board is, the more sensitive to fin choice it will be. For instance, slalom sailors (race boards), will spend big dollars on a quiver of fins for different wind strengths and water conditions. With a Funster, you can plug in a fin of any sort and go and have fun.

I am actually using 34 at the moment as this is a standard Funster board fin which comes with the board.
While windsurfing on 6m2 Tushingham Storm sail with wind approx 15-18 knots "something" does not feel right....

I am 95 kg and on this board 6m2 seems to small...?...
Going to a bigger sail will definitely improve acceleration and planning however I am worried that 34 fin will be too small.

If I am getting it I will need a bigger freeride fin for bigger sail even on Funster correct?

Maybe, having a bigger fin as an option certainly won't hurt, it's always nice to have options. For what it's worth, I'm 83kg and have used the Tabou with an 8.6m sail and the 38 was fine. See if you can try a few.

i am a little heavy heavier than you 100 kilos with a slightly less volume board - 160 liters
what I use in different conditions is:

8.4 m2 sail with 48 cm fin in 20-40 kph ~ 15-18 knots
7.0 m2 sail with 40cm fin in 30-50 kph
6.3 m2 sail with 34 cm fin in 40-60 kph

realizing that fin length is NOT the only factor

so, in 15 to 18 knots I use a larger sail (cambered actually) with a longer / wider fin = early planing
fins can be repaired and as such you can purchase used fins at reasonable prices and fix em

Just saying that different boards have different fin needs. A JP Funster has quite different fin requirements to, for example, a JP Supersport for the same size sail. The Supersport has a 50cm fin recommended for 7m-9m sails. The rule of thumb for Guy Cribb works well for a freeride board. It's a bit different for all-rounders like a Funster, Explorer, Coolrider etc.

Paddymac may be right about this board and they recommend this fin for a reason. It may not be related to the fin either. The issues may be to do with heaps of other factors like technique, stance, strap positions etc etc. The bigger fin gets you planing earlier with freeride boards but may not help here. The rule of thumb I mentioned is a guide only and may not be suitable for these boards. Different equipment has different needs. You could try the 7.7 with the stock fin and see how it goes. I don't use these boards so go with what Paddymac has advised and see how it goes. If you were on a smaller freeride board i would say go a bigger fin for sure with a 7.7 power sail. If you still think you need a bigger fin for the sail, you have a rough idea of how big to go so try a few things out.

Select to expand quote

paddymac said..

Just saying that different boards have different fin needs. A JP Funster has quite different fin requirements to, for example, a JP Supersport for the same size sail. The Supersport has a 50cm fin recommended for 7m-9m sails. The rule of thumb for Guy Cribb works well for a freeride board. It's a bit different for all-rounders like a Funster, Explorer, Coolrider etc.

yeah, butt JP gives a 34 cm fin with Funsters from 130 liters to 205 liters AND gives the same sail range -- 4.5 to 9.0
fins typically suit the larger end of the scale for a free-ride - so, you are never under finned
some boards aim for the middle and others give NO fin - race, etc
what is JP aiming at and the board suited for ?
i have to believe what you say, as i have NO experience with this type of board
perhaps JP can answer the question better ??

http://jp-australia.com/2013/contacts/contact-jp/

In general, is the 180 Funster, well, fun? I know it's considered a beginners board but how does it work as a big freeride properly powered up?

I am just about to check it out this Easter. I have got a bigger 7.7m sail (more suitable for my weight) and the wind is picking up slightly.
If all goes well I will test it "properly" over next few days. There should be winds ranging from 10-20 knots so I am really interested in the outcome.

So far it was a great fun on this board I must say. It is very forgiving and very stable. I am still a beginner but after i bough this board (brand new) I was able to enjoy the windsurfing much more ....

Select to expand quote

Maaxim said..

I am just about to check it out this Easter. I have got a bigger 7.7m sail (more suitable for my weight) and the wind is picking up slightly.
If all goes well I will test it "properly" over next few days. There should be winds ranging from 10-20 knots so I am really interested in the outcome.

So far it was a great fun on this board I must say. It is very forgiving and very stable. I am still a beginner but after i bough this board (brand new) I was able to enjoy the windsurfing much more ....

Cool, keep us posted. I'm intrigued because it is wide for great stability and early planing and offers relatively low weight and price. I do very well on my Exocet 11'8 Wind Sup but want a "change up" board to experiment with. As a bonus the Funster 180 would double as a perfect board for my 13 year-old daughter.