I have an S-Type93 which was supplied with a 34cm deep profile Drake fin. I am looking to get a smaller fin around 28/30cm for downwind speed/slalom to use with a 6m in 20+ knots. Must be efficient for cross wind as well as downwind speed. There seems to be a huge range out there and I would appreciate any suggestions - preferably not too expensive as it will probably get some rough treatment as I get into the speed thing.

Thanks

IMHO i would go with a techtonics either the goldwing or the falcon i the 26-30cm range.

My 2cents

The new MAui Fin Company slalom fins are recieving great feedback i purchased($225) a 28cm slalom from Windshack and will hopefully use it this week.
Similar shape to the tectonics Falcon F1 but don't spin out as easy when not up to speed.
The Select SL7 29 silver is another fin getting great reviews alot of the dutch guys are using this fin with great results and yes i ordered one of these as well

www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=7125

Also have a look at Mean Line fins www.meanline.com and Choco Fins www.chocofins.com/
Along with Chris lockwoods fins www.kasail.com/windsurfing/quotations.html sold through KA Sails they are some of the best available.

first time i tried the maui fins...think they're great for real world sailing-fast with a mix of bite and forgiving so i rate them a big plus..on my first outing with the 32cm slalom catapulted dead in my tracks at the fastest point hitting a bamboo shrub submerged and not a nick..i think the g-10 material is tough..

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jp747 said...

first time i tried the maui fins...think they're great for real world sailing-fast with a mix of bite and forgiving so i rate them a big plus..on my first outing with the 32cm slalom catapulted dead in my tracks at the fastest point hitting a bamboo shrub submerged and not a nick..i think the g-10 material is tough..

hi jp, i just noticed your response to my mfc review. cheers!!!!

i will be getting more mfc's. i was really impressed with the fin, it always felt in control and comfortable and was certainly very tough.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31051

my tectonics is prone to spinout when not up to speed. to see choco comment on the same thing was interesting. no complaints however when fully powered.

I think for WA conditions the tectonics Falcon F1 would be the go. ChrisL and Claude use these to great effect in the chop on the Swan. 2ndWind sells them (~$300 I think) but it is a fairly simple and quick process to get them direct from Tectonics (see their web site) and with the strong Aussie $ can be landed for about $220 (ask Snides or 25)

Chris' own fins, while fantastic for Sandy Point, probably would be too small for WA (max size 23cm). Mal's 26 probably falls into the same category but you may get away with a 26 depending on your size. Though these are really specialized for the 40plus speeds of SP (low cav designs) and are ~$400.

Steve at Windforce has some Meanline fins in the size you're after. I think they are about $225 and are made by legendary shaper Bernie Brandstaetter and used by BjornD. Some think they are even faster than F1s in certain conditions. see Frank's comment at the bottom here www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=forum&forum=1&val=3894

hi gestalt-justin, yep i think for holey and conditions and not so consistent winds i think the mfc's are a good fin..sure the tecto are fast but side by side in slalom the mfc's have more torque exiting a gybe and for everyday sailor's who are generally not all out speedsters who want a cocktail of upwind, downwind and acceleration and speed should really check it out....regards

I picked up a 28 MFC SL28 today,it looks the goods.(Nice Alpha fin)
I'll have to get it on the water to see what the top end is like as it is pretty thick which makes it stiff.I found this to be a problem with the small F1 Falcons,the fact that they are so thin that it can make them twist out on you when they are fully loaded,and when they go there is no warning,but they get up to huge speeds fast if you've got the balls not to care.