I'll soon be moving down to Rockingham WA and I will be getting some weed fins for down that way. I used to have an old carbon Leading Edge but that's now at the bottom of the ocean in Lano.
Just wondered what is the fastest weedfin you've ever used, why you thought it was fast and what conditions it worked best in.
Looking forward to your opinions.

I don't have any stock weedies.
I have an elmo custom 24 ( A 35cm select lightning evo in a previous life reboxed to 45 degrees) it did 42.7 2sec on a 50 wide board in flat water.
My collection (above fin middle left)



Things to look for are stiffness, fine leading edge and a pretty thick profile.

i have 1 stock weedy..a choco40 hardly a speed fin...
how ever i have found stock drake fins reboxed and moded slightly seem to have worked.
these pics are of my 'fastest' fin
a drake 34 (stock fin off the 06 iso 105) rebased at 45deg with the end cut off and a file sharpened, leading edge. its now about 22cm.
it holds most of my pb's including a 40kn 2 sec,3rd fastest w.a. nmile and fastest w.a. alpha.
its not pretty but in the 4 yrs i have used it it has never let go.

It's rare to find a decent off the shelf fast weedie. The only one i have used that pretty good is a Flying objects 34cm weedie (its good for 37knts). make yourself a jig and rebox a slalom fin. They make good weedies and are better than stock weed fins most of the time. Here's my latest edition to me weedy family

just made my new weedie I have'nt really tested it, i put an 8.5 KA with a 102 falcon
was a bit small but it did feel fast

It measures 26cm I think I will make it smaller i like the look of Snides 22

What about off the shelf FIns, I need a weedy & my new board has a tuttle box.
All the other fins I have are slot box so I am lead to belive all the new fins are sooo much better. My requirements are good all round performace, if its weedy top speed is not going to happen, so something that goes up wind Gibes well & is good on a reach. I have a 86 liter board. use 4.5m - 6.5m sails

What Brand? What Size?

JP weedies are well regarded. On the 86 a 31 should be good. Remember to shift the mast base back though otherwise weedies dont work well.

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YP1 said...

What about off the shelf FIns, I need a weedy & my new board has a tuttle box.
All the other fins I have are slot box so I am lead to belive all the new fins are sooo much better. My requirements are good all round performace, if its weedy top speed is not going to happen, so something that goes up wind Gibes well & is good on a reach. I have a 86 liter board. use 4.5m - 6.5m sails

What Brand? What Size?

For that size board and range the stock KA/Lockwood 23cm symmetrical speed fin works very well in light to moderate weed. Maybe not enough rake for really serious weed but it is definitely fast, the runs are on the board. :-)

The KA fins are a pretty good weed fin and they are bloody quick. i'm glad i've got one. They seem pretty hard to get hold of though so good luck.

Choco weedies are pretty good along with the Flying Objects Weedster's

Just don't get sucked onto getting a select weed eliminator as they are crap

Hey YP1 (Tricky) I have been running a 36 JP weedie and are very happy with it when running my 6.7 and 5.8, I am also looking at getting a 31 for my 5.0 which I currently run a 24 select weedwave with., my opinion is 4,5 to 6.5 is way too big a range for 1 fin, if sailing in rough chopy sea run the bigger 36 fin. but I would suggest eventually getting both sizes.

I really need a weed fin for my missile around 22 to 24 as was a bloody pain yesterday trying to get started without catching weed. (sometimes took a dozen go's) I just want to be able to get a good 45deg weed fin to do over 40 off the shelf as I don't now how to rebox etc, maybe a bigger size I can cut/file/sand down, any recomendations. I currently run a techtonics falcon F1 and have run over 40 and 35nm. (fantastic fin) all my old weedies are powerbox not tuttle.

Hey Jimbob try a C3 Slingshot. I have the 23cm and its a pretty good weedie as the leading edge is fairly raked so it sheds weed ok. They are a bit easier to get hold of compared to the KA's

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I really need a weed fin for my missile around 22 to 24 as was a bloody pain yesterday trying to get started without catching weed. (sometimes took a dozen go's) I just want to be able to get a good 45deg weed fin to do over 40 off the shelf as I don't now how to rebox etc, maybe a bigger size I can cut/file/sand down, any recomendations. I currently run a techtonics falcon F1 and have run over 40 and 35nm. (fantastic fin) all my old weedies are powerbox not tuttle.

Hey Jimbob I run a 24 choco speed weed in my missile and has done 40+ many times. great off the shelf fin, fast and reliable, never grabs weed

We use weed fins a lot here in sweden and we have done so since 30 years back or so. There have actually been some development in this area the last 2-3 years and I know that thera are some very interesting brands that hopefully soon will have good (speed) weed fins in stock.
If you need a good weed fin it has to have a rake > 40 degrees and the only one that we have used successfully(speeds over 40 knots) in various conditions with great results is the hurricane weed fin - hard to get a hold of, but exteremly good and reliable. They generate rather much lift so you can go small (20 cm for a CA sp44)

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tobhed said...

We use weed fins a lot here in sweden and we have done so since 30 years back or so. There have actually been some development in this area the last 2-3 years and I know that thera are some very interesting brands that hopefully soon will have good (speed) weed fins in stock.
If you need a good weed fin it has to have a rake > 40 degrees and the only one that we have used successfully(speeds over 40 knots) in various conditions with great results is the hurricane weed fin - hard to get a hold of, but exteremly good and reliable. They generate rather much lift so you can go small (20 cm for a CA sp44)

Wow I was looking at those on the website last night.

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snides8 said...

i have 1 stock weedy..a choco40 hardly a speed fin...
how ever i have found stock drake fins reboxed and moded slightly seem to have worked.
these pics are of my 'fastest' fin
a drake 34 (stock fin off the 06 iso 105) rebased at 45deg with the end cut off and a file sharpened, leading edge. its now about 22cm.
it holds most of my pb's including a 40kn 2 sec,3rd fastest w.a. nmile and fastest w.a. alpha.
its not pretty but in the 4 yrs i have used it it has never let go.

Your right it's not pretty I've always kept my fins so slick and neatly finished for no spin out and good spead, but now I guess that concept is a myth. I'm impressed.

Tobhed, they look great, but is that a carbon leading edge????

The trouble we have here, and probably safety bay as well, is very abrasive weed. sand particles stick to it, and the leading edge tip wears away like crazy.
Carbon wears about twice as fast as G10. It's great to have a stiff fin, but the carbon is best on the outside, not the center.

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Mainbreak said...

snides8 said...

i have 1 stock weedy..a choco40 hardly a speed fin...
how ever i have found stock drake fins reboxed and moded slightly seem to have worked.
these pics are of my 'fastest' fin
a drake 34 (stock fin off the 06 iso 105) rebased at 45deg with the end cut off and a file sharpened, leading edge. its now about 22cm.
it holds most of my pb's including a 40kn 2 sec,3rd fastest w.a. nmile and fastest w.a. alpha.
its not pretty but in the 4 yrs i have used it it has never let go.

Your right it's not pretty I've always kept my fins so slick and neatly finished for no spin out and good spead, but now I guess that concept is a myth. I'm impressed.

i dont know about the "slick and neat finish" being a myth
i may of gone faster on a slicker neater finish

the slingshots are a good substitute for weedys as are the ka sym 23's only prob
with the ka's are they are not available..at least last year they werent?

at the end of the day it comes down to how much weed you are sailing in..
as to how much rake you need.
in some places, at hardies, the seagulls stand on the weed...no fin will go through this!!

Thanks for the info guys, Jarques has what I want as I really need the 45 rake, my missile is the 62 litre 06 with airpipes so I will go a 24 choco speedweed.
where do I buy choco's from is it someone over west.

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jimbob SA said...

Thanks for the info guys, Jarques has what I want as I really need the 45 rake, my missile is the 62 litre 06 with airpipes so I will go a 24 choco speedweed.
where do I buy choco's from is it someone over west.

Try 2nd Wind sailboards they have choco's

I've heard many people being less than complimentry about the Choco weedies... but that is usually in the large weedies.

I'm a fan of the Choco Weedspeeds (a 22 is my fastest fin). I am not such a fan of the older Choco "Weed", but I have not tried the new Weedslalom that look like larger sized Weedspeeds and could be worth trying.

Any one have a link to a REBOX ing a fin how-to, Tuttle for preferance. I have lots of old slotbox fins to experiment or sacrifice

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YP1 said...

Any one have a link to a REBOX ing a fin how-to, Tuttle for preferance. I have lots of old slotbox fins to experiment or sacrifice

this is a great 3 pages on everything you need to know and more

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Gps/Weed-Fins/?page=2

Hey Tricky.. good luck if you give the re-box a go. I'll bring my fins over and watch you do it for me ! Ha
Jimbob: I've got a two Choco Speedweedies and love'em off wind but not so keen up wind, wasn't over powered most days I used them. maybe that is what they need to get up wind !
Did have a 32 JP, liked that one up wind (for a weedie) but lost it in the Lake...

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S018 said...

<<< I've got a two Choco Speedweedies and love'em off wind but not so keen up wind, >>>>

Guess that's a problem with a lot of speed fins, they're optimised for downwind, upwind can suffer.
(especially when you go asymmetric)

Lots of interesting talk about the weed fins here,,

There is a few good brands out there doing some OK weedfins, but there is also a lot of average designs, where it looks like they just raked a normal slalom/ freeride fin to 45 degree and then thats the weed fin.

We are currently testing some special designed weed Slalom fins at Vector Fins, where every aspect of making a high performance weed fin, has been under the microscope and tested through. Should be interesting to see what we come out with in the near future.

The Delta Weed speed fins from the photo above has already received great feedback.

Cheers

Jesper

I REALISE I'M GOING TO START ANOTHER THREAD ON WEED FINS ...BUT
AFTER READING THE LAST THREAD AND SHAPING MINE IT SEEMS MY SELECT IS VERY FLAT IE NOT A GREAT DEAL OF PROFILE .
SOLUTION BUILD IT UP I'LL GIVE IT A GO FOR SURE
NOW FROM WHAT I CAN GATHER IT NEEDS TO BE THICKER FOR IT TO BE STIFF
THE HIGH POINT SHOULD BE AROUND THE QUATER MARK BACK FROM LEADING EDGE
LEADING EDGE SHOULD BE SHARP AND STRAIGHT TO THE TIP

BASS 10MM THICK AT AROUND 110 MM WIDE

TRAILING EDGE A CONCAVE AROUND THE 1/4 MARK BACK

IN A CIRCULAR SHAPE TO PULL FORWARD CENTER OF LATERAL RESISTANCE AS FAR FORWARD AS POSS

IF ANYONE HASE MORE TO ADD PLEASE FEEL FREE I'LL BE IN THE BACK YARD SCUFFING HELL OUT OF MY FIN SO I CAN BUILD UP THE PROFILE

SAYING ALL THIS ITS 22CM FROM BASS TO TIP VERTICALLY AND I DID GIVE IT A QUICK RUN THE OTHER DAY IN **** CONDITIONS AND IT DID OVER 31 KN AND FELT OK I DONT RIDE WEED FINS VERY OFTEN AS I FEEL I HAVE A RUDDER ON THE BACK .... BUT IF THIS IS WERE THE FLAT WATER IS I'LL MAKE SOME FINS

Hey Jesper, if you need any testers in a truely weedy spot i'm sure any and every one of the estuary riders would be willing to help out :-)))

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Jesper said...




Lots of interesting talk about the weed fins here,,

There is a few good brands out there doing some OK weedfins, but there is also a lot of average designs, where it looks like they just raked a normal slalom/ freeride fin to 45 degree and then thats the weed fin.

We are currently testing some special designed weed Slalom fins at Vector Fins, where every aspect of making a high performance weed fin, has been under the microscope and tested through. Should be interesting to see what we come out with in the near future.

The Delta Weed speed fins from the photo above has already received great feedback.

Cheers

Jesper

I would love to take that for a spin. Not much tip area though

So any good weed fins out there for slalom boards, looking at something around 28cm-32cm.whats the go? chocos,JP or Lessacher?

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lelos12345 said...

>>>>>>
NOW FROM WHAT I CAN GATHER IT NEEDS TO BE THICKER FOR IT TO BE STIFF

Or have a layer or two of carbon down it.

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THE HIGH POINT SHOULD BE AROUND THE QUATER MARK BACK FROM LEADING EDGE
LEADING EDGE SHOULD BE SHARP AND STRAIGHT TO THE TIP

Hmm don't think so, my fins are around 40% to 45%. It's hard to get a fine leading edge with the thickest part so far forward.

Here's a 9% eppler foil yoyo gave me that I use for my fins.

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BASS 10MM THICK AT AROUND 110 MM WIDE

that's about 9% thickness to flow ratio, should give a stiff powerful fin, but you could go down to 7.5% to 8% if you use carbon to stiffen it.
A lot depends how fast you plan on going, some of my fins are 9% and are good to 36kts, but much faster I suspect they may have ventilation problems.
If you're going over 45kts, 9% will probably start cavitating.