I've been considering buying an old starboard quad (2008-2010) mainly because I need a wave board but have a very finite budget. the board doesn't come with fins and having to buy some would be a deal-breaker, it does however have the box type that would fit surfboard fins. however I'm wondering if doing this will make the board sluggish, slow or not plain at all. I'm hoping to use FCS M5s on the inside and M3s on the outside.

thanks a million
Fergus

If you have the convert model, a 23 cm center [only] would go faster, plane earlier, and prevent heavy backfoot spinout compared to any multi fin configuration.

Thanks for the advice, the board comes with 4 fin slots so unfortunatly that won't be an option. I thought it was a long shot but It doesn't hurt to ask thanks again

Fergus

Have a look at Makani fins. Walu quad setup for $160 US and choose exactly the size you want.Delivered on your doorstep in 4 days.

If you can get a 2011 model go for it they were a far superior model to the 2010.FCS are to weak for windsurfing ,2011 had slot box all round.

Makani are good fins in my limited experience. K4 is another alternative that won't break the bank and arrive pretty quickly.

www.k4fins.com/product-category/fins/

slot/ A /MT.

I'd be tempted, based on Foghorn's comment, to spend up for a slot box board, plus the availability of slot box fins for tuning.

160 lbs old school rider, running 15 front and 10 inboard rears plus a 1.5" kiteboarding fin between the rears to prevent straight line spinout from that wide standing area and tiny rear set fins. Modern quads use 10 fronts and 16 rear sets, with much narrower width at the strap area where you stand.
Try track mostly back in the mast box and keep it on a rail.

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FergusMartin said..
I've been considering buying an old starboard quad (2008-2010) mainly because I need a wave board but have a very finite budget. the board doesn't come with fins and having to buy some would be a deal-breaker, it does however have the box type that would fit surfboard fins. however I'm wondering if doing this will make the board sluggish, slow or not plain at all. I'm hoping to use FCS M5s on the inside and M3s on the outside.

thanks a million
Fergus

The board you describe has FCS rear fin boxes, that are actually SURFinz boxes made by Cobra ON the rear only. The front are MINI Tuttle, one bolt through the hull.
This quad by starboard was made ONE year only, the next year they went to SLOT Box on all 4 fin boxes.

The rear fins may have if any a little adjustment fore and aft, the fronts are fixed. The shape of the this board , was good, the fin boxes , people questioned even at the time. The rears had fitting problems , requiring shims.

The front boxes are the best, but no movement. I would fit a set of FCS original 2 tab, into the rears for fitment.
I would NOT rule this board out, with what Ive written. It worked well, fin size on rear, a factor, using 4 fins the same size appeals to some,not me , too much drag on turns.

So the rear FCS , you need to use symmetrical foils, TWIN, or singles in a pair. THiIS limits some selection, but they can be found. The front mini tuttle are readly available at a price, MFC MUF Black Project, ETC....

The slot box was being invented by Tabou, and now in common use, without any patents SO in use the following year.. It has many variations, now a Starboard one, called Starbox, a US Box/slot box combo.

I never used the FCS boxes , for any windsurf board, I use PROBOX, and would use Futures, both strength over these FCS, FCS did have other versions and newer fins are different.
I use surf fins, the box and size are the limited factor.

Ring Mark from SSD he will sort you out.
m.facebook.com/Stone-Surf-Designs-179211358869143/

Or if your any good with a grinder and sandpaper you can convert some old fins like I did. You will find G10 wave fins for free if your lucky.