Hi guys n gals,

I have a question regarding a couple of fins. I currently have a Mistral Radar 105 which i'm using a 48cm weed fin (powerbox) in. Its great for when its 12-15 knots when i'm using bigger sails, but once it gets to around 18 the board just wants to jump out of the water all the time because the fin obviously creates so much lift. My first question is, what is the ideal size for that board so that i can use it for higher wind ranges without getting fin spinout from too small a fin or having too much lift from too large a fin? Ive heard they radars can be a bit "tailey" in general.

My other question is of a similar nature but in reverse. I have a JP FSW 84 with a 25cm fin and its getting a lot of spin out. I'm looking for something a little larger that will plant the board a bit but not give me the same problems i have with the Radar in being that the bigger fin creates too much lift in heavier breezes. What would be the ideal size?

I weigh 70kgs and am fairly tall (6ft).

Any constructive input is welcomed.

Cheers
:)
M

regarding your fin size.....my understanding is (rule of thumb) sail size times 5 equal fin size ie:6.0mtr sail X 5 = 300mm fin size
the FSW wave sounds ideal with that fin the sail size should be around 5 mtrs and the spin out may be from too much back foot pressure and the radar should be good for 20 knots..

Dunno what the Radar is but yes that fin is massive! If it was a 105L FSW 27-30cm, if a 105L freeride with wider tail maybe 302 - 37cm?

I'd almost bet that your spinout with the JP is 100% technique - as you are used to pushing against the fin. That is a no-no on waveboards, on a FSW you can give it a little lateral fin pressure but still nothing like what you'd be giving the Radar with that 48cm. The 25cm is ideal.
(I go as small at 23cm in my 95L FSW to loosen it up for wave riding)

Thanks for the input guys.
Yes ive tried reducing the pressure on the FSW and it does stop the spin a bit but i find the board feels like its going to flip easily off the chop from a lack of foot pressure.

I'll look for a power box fin around 30 or 32cm for the Radar and see how that goes. Cheers :)

I weigh 90kgs and use the following fins with my 2 boards:
- Futura 111l - 42.5cm with 7.6m sail, 38cm with 6.4m sail
- Kode FSW 103l - 30cm with 6.0msail

I also have a 25cm fin for the Kode which I'm yet to use

On your mistral, try matching your fin size to sail size. I.E. when you reduce sail use a smaller fin, I.E. for each 1m reduction in sail size reduce your fin by 4 to 5cm

Mark is on the money about your technique on the FSW

Select to expand quote

John340 said..
I weigh 90kgs and use the following fins with my 2 boards:

- Futura 111l - 42.5cm with 7.6m sail, 38cm with 6.4m sail

- Kode FSW 103l - 30cm with 6.0msail

I also have a 25cm fin for the Kode which I'm yet to use

On your mistral, try matching your fin size to sail size. I.E. when you reduce sail use a smaller fin, I.E. for each 1m reduction in sail size reduce your fin by 4 to 5cm

Mark is on the money about your technique on the FSW

Cheers mate. I was out in 20+ knots yesterday on the 84 fsw with a 5.0 sail and didnt have too much spinout, so i'm slowly gaining confidence in that board. I'm looking for a fin around 36cm thats cheap for the 105 to see if i can use it in higher winds.