With winter approaching and hopefully more wind than the last couple of months, it's time to think about downsizing to make the most of the (hopefully) prevailing conditions.
Current smallest is 103L FSW, 5.0m older 4 batten wave sail.A bit big for 20+ knots.

My current thoughts are something like;

Mid 80L(ish) multi fin board, 83kg sailor. Older board in good nick would suit. Having not sailed a smaller MF board, not sure of exact requirements, but aspirations would be bell bouy, greens/east beach type action.

For sails, I'm thinking 4.0-5.0m (ie 4/4.5/5 or simillar) more modern sails. Something like Blades or similar, rigging on CC 400 RDM.
Under 4.0m weather, I'm better to stay on the beach i think.

Happy to take feedback or PM me if you have any bargains. Looking to keep costs reasonable.

Cheers,
Mort

Hi Adam,
For waves and high wind, I've been using a single fin 2012 Fanatic Freewave (86L), and also have the Stubby. Both give a different feel - stubby is looser on the wave, but the Freewave is still a lot of fun. For progressing in waves, I wouldn't rule out a good single fin board. They have a tendency to point upwind a little better than multifins - which can be very beneficial if you're in iffy onshore winds. I also have an older 4.5m 4 battered wavesail that would fit on a 400 mast. Next time I'm up that way, I'll get it to you. Cheers. Marty

For pointing upwind on Multifins, as well as for early planing, I 'up' the fin size by 10mm (and use Black Project Mini-Epics) they still have that nice looseness, but track and carve with more intent.

Bring on the wind i say

Hey Mort,
I'm 83kg. My main board is 82L fanatic triwave. Mostly sail at bell buoy with newish sails. 4.2, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.7. Mostly just use the 4.2 and 5. I've had a 79L single, an 85L quad and 105L single. All had their positives but find the 82L best and so comfortable to sail. The bigger the better initially. I was practicing forward loops with the 105L in the waves. But the smaller boards are so much more maneuverable, so aim for weight = volume if you are comfortable in the waves.

I've got an 85L tabou da curve quad sitting in the shed

Cheers
Hamish

Freestyle wave TRI , or fast tri fin is the best board. These can both be used as single or multi
at least then it will be fun on flat water as well as waves..
Hard to find the above as they are very popular,but if you want a starter in single fin i know there is a guy down south here selling a older jp 85 FSW for around the 400 bucks.

There is a guy up north also, selling a brand new 80l Wood Carbon Evil Twin for $500...

It is definitely a case of 'horses for courses'. Try before you buy Mort - 1, 2, 3 or 4 fins - all feel very different once you get them worked out, one of them is going to suit you better than the others, but it will take a little time on the water.

Come for a sail with us next time it is on - I'll bring my ET, Grevil can bring his QUAD, and you can see how you feel about two's and four's.

Thanks all for the feedback. I agree Geoff, a demo would be good to get a feel for the difference. Hopefully some wind up north next weekend. Doing family time this weekend to build up brownie points.

Select to expand quote

martyj4 said..
Hi Adam,
For waves and high wind, I've been using a single fin 2012 Fanatic Freewave (86L), and also have the Stubby. Both give a different feel - stubby is looser on the wave, but the Freewave is still a lot of fun. For progressing in waves, I wouldn't rule out a good single fin board. They have a tendency to point upwind a little better than multifins - which can be very beneficial if you're in iffy onshore winds. I also have an older 4.5m 4 battered wavesail that would fit on a 400 mast. Next time I'm up that way, I'll get it to you. Cheers. Marty

Cheers Marty,
Sing out next time you're around Dev. I hope your shoulder has healed ok.

Thanks for all of the responses and pm's. I think I've done pretty well, securing an older 76L quad convertible, giving the options of 1,2(?),3,4 fins (cheers Izaak). Thanks to GClark for trial on the twin, and offers of others, but the options of the convertible won out, given the purpose (currently a tri).
Also picked up 2nd hand 4.2/4.7/5.5 Blades (thanks Kazz & The Zu) for a reasonable "quiver" and a new boom(Al). The Blades seem very stable and easy to use, although only a couple of chances to try them yet. Thanks also Marty for his loaner 4.5m which hasn't got wet
Not bad going for under $1900 all up, and ready for more adventures, hopefully BB/East in the not too distant future. (Although yesterday's conditions might still see me on the beach!)

Hey that's my sail, you thief!
great to see its gone to a good home

What size fins and any angle?

I have an 81l of the same board and use it as a tri fin but had to go for side fins with some toe in as the boxes are virtually parallel.

Think my my setup is K4 Ezzy 3 degree sides and 17 Stubby? Works great and doesn't feel over finned like the quad set up.

I have one of these in the Quad Conveertible, and always used it as a single due to the DRAG that the mini tuttles produce. I even tried way undersized mini-tuttles, but it didn't help.

I would say that it is worth considering robdddd's advice, and trying some 'toed' fins - K4 are the least expensive. With the right toe you will end up with a much faster and more enjoyable board.

Thanks for the suggestions Robddd and Geoff. I've been reading up a bit further and agree that in the thruster configuration some toed in MT fronts with a 16 or 17 centre might be the way to go. Thinking 10/17 combo for about $130 in the K4s is reasonable cost to try out.

The current centre fin is 21cm, so more suitable as a single fin alone (21-25cm seems to be the normal range). Have only had the board out twice in iffy conditions, so don't have a good feel for it yet, and current setup probably isn't ideal, but easily changed.

As far as the original objective of having a smaller board to get a feel for multifin and wave options in stronger winds, it should fit the bill. Just need some t.o.w.

In reading up i came across this article, which highlighted some of the sailing style (more upright, weight over centerline) considerations that i will need to concentrate on from my more "freeride", loading up the fin style. A good read; www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://peter-hart.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Tooling-for-waves.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiptZTdj-3VAhVDTLwKHWhOBqIQFggwMAA&usg=AFQjCNGfH5AJm4Y8rXZGcEOIXwAhMMAH_Q

Cheers,
Mort
PS. Very happy with the Blades so far.