Hi guys, i have a JP Freestyle wave (around 2006) 85L board and intend to use it for a 4.7 and a 5.5 sail. I dont have a fin as i have just bought the board 2nd hand but what fin do you recommend? I intend to use it sailing in the bay in Melbourne so its just mainly chop id be going through.

Thanks Vince. Do you think any 25cm freeride/wave fin would work?

I think so as long as you are not going to carve up the waves. might be hard to complete some critical turns. Otherwise fine. I'm certainly no expert. Perhaps some of the more experienced sailors and reviewers my shed some light. So what this space

I use a 22 &24 in my 85 single fin fsw but only ever use it in well powered up bump and jump conditions. If you use it in marginal conditions you may want to go a little bigger. I am 93 kg so if you are a light weight you could go smaller.

Have the exact same board (2006 model) that I use for ocean bump n' jump sailing in 15-25 knot winds and for flat water sailing in 25+ knot winds with either 4.5, 5.3 or 5.9 sails (though rarely used with the 5.9).

A raked 25cm wave, fsw or freeride PB fin of any brand would likely work ok with either sail but you may need to go smaller (21-22cm) in well powered conditions with the 4.7. As Swindy said, depends somewhat on your weight. If you're around 75kg then a 25cm fin would be fine to use in up to around 20-25 knot winds, depending on water state.

Thread hijack- given that fins are not cheap and between sup and sailboard i am staring to build up a supply.

whats the best way to carry around the unused fins so they are not rattling around car and chipping etc. ?

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normster said..
Thread hijack- given that fins are not cheap and between sup and sailboard i am staring to build up a supply.

whats the best way to carry around the unused fins so they are not rattling around car and chipping etc. ?

Over sized pencil case or a purpose built bag like a stash bag from Flying objects and others

Got the same type of board a couple of months ago, but owing to back problems and not right conditions, only got it out in decent conditions (20kt, although still a bit up and down) the other day. I'm using a 29 cm free wave fin in it, 5.4 or 6.2 sail. I've been getting back into windsurfing over the last few years and it's a good while since I sailed a board that small relative to my size (6'2, and 95 kg). I'm must have got sloppy and using way to much back foot pressure, cause even with that fin I had a few spin outs. But on the whole it was a fun time, and I can't wait to get out and have another go, cause it's fun sailing things that don't just want to go in a straight line. I think once you get down to smaller boards, possibly fin size in relation to weight and (in my case poor) technique gets more critical? I reckon it'll be a great board for the bay conditions. So depending on your dimensions, I wouldn't go to small on the fin.

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musorianin said..
Got the same type of board a couple of months ago, but owing to back problems and not right conditions, only got it out in decent conditions (20kt, although still a bit up and down) the other day. I'm using a 29 cm free wave fin in it, 5.4 or 6.2 sail. I've been getting back into windsurfing over the last few years and it's a good while since I sailed a board that small relative to my size (6'2, and 95 kg). I'm must have got sloppy and using way to much back foot pressure, cause even with that fin I had a few spin outs. But on the whole it was a fun time, and I can't wait to get out and have another go, cause it's fun sailing things that don't just want to go in a straight line. I think once you get down to smaller boards, possibly fin size in relation to weight and (in my case poor) technique gets more critical? I reckon it'll be a great board for the bay conditions. So depending on your dimensions, I wouldn't go to small on the fin.

I've used a curvy 28cm Fanatic freeride fin with a 5.9 and in moderate winds with my 5.3 and I weigh 75kg. For straight line freeride or bump n' jump sailing a larger fin than normal would be fine as imo the standard fsw fin is designed for freestyle or wave use! Also, I've found that the deck box middle position is more set-up for manouevers as the board performs much better in a straight line with the mast base forward (more like a freeride board than a turny fsw). Re excessive spin-out, try moving the harness lines back on the boom.

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normster said..
Thread hijack- given that fins are not cheap and between sup and sailboard i am staring to build up a supply.

whats the best way to carry around the unused fins so they are not rattling around car and chipping etc. ?

sewing-machine + some old towels. Cheap and not-so-nasty.

Select to expand quote

normster said..
Thread hijack- given that fins are not cheap and between sup and sailboard i am staring to build up a supply.

whats the best way to carry around the unused fins so they are not rattling around car and chipping etc. ?

In plastic container with other bits and pieces, pref with fin covers if you have them. If not, try to get padded fin bags from windsurf shop, like the one below. Put pieces of foam rubber between fins to protect foils. Or buy a fin quiver bag.