Fin recommendations

A forum for discussing paipo board gear such as swim fins, leashes, skegs (board fins) and other related wave riding gear.
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Fin recommendations

#1

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

I'm currently riding my new 4'2 X 22 1/2" X 3" board and I've tried using FCS bonzer side fins (the larger one of the quartet) in it.
Also tried the fins picture below which are FCS M7 glass flex fins I cut down but have foiled any thinner.
(Edit- "It was not possible to determine the dimensions of the image" with the Image shack forum sized photo - hmm)
Here's a pic of the board with the bonzers
(I'll have to go and look at the photo posting section - darn...I'm IT challenged so this could be a mission).
Curious to ask if anyone has some suggestions on what else I could try since I have 3 plugs at my disposal?
The cut down M7's were working well in 3'ers the other day with the fins as pictured in the front 2 plugs.
Had a few slides but nothing I couldn't recover from quite easily and as I'm new to prone riding don't know how loose is optimal.
Wondering whether I should try some regular side fins or even 3 plug keels since Austin's paipos run a fair amount of fin area wise.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
Uncle Grumpy
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 450
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:57 pm
City: San Clemente
State or Province: California
Country: USA
Interests: Surfing, Surfboards, Surf History, Fishing, Boats, Dogs, Books
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#2

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

Here ya go.
img20110916190727[1].jpg
Attachments
img20110923125332[2].jpg
img20110916190938[1].jpg
Paipo surfer in repose,
Nose on the nose,
No grunting he-man pose.
See how fast he goes!
What is it he knows?
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#3

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

Thanks Uncle.
Have to go back and have a look at the photo insert advice now I'm fully awake.
Just had some pitching 3' peaks this morning.
Moved the modded M7's to the rear plugs.
Would definitely like a bit more hold to see how it feels.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
bgreen
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 1232
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:17 pm
City: Brisbane
State or Province: Qld
Country: Oz
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#4

Unread post by bgreen »

Cuttlefish,

I see the early stages of addiction emerging. Try the board without fins after you become more familiar with riding it. I'm going to get the fins for my new board cut down.

Bob
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#5

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

Hi Bob,
I'm having the time of my life riding the gst.
I need to take some better photos of the board.
Will be interesting to see how it goes sans fins.
Not certain I'll get the "bite" I need out of the rails though.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
Uncle Grumpy
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 450
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:57 pm
City: San Clemente
State or Province: California
Country: USA
Interests: Surfing, Surfboards, Surf History, Fishing, Boats, Dogs, Books
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#6

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

I'm having the time of my life riding the gst.
Welcome to
The PRONE ZONE!
polls_ATT3_2253_744462_answer_3_xlarge[1].jpeg
polls_ATT3_2253_744462_answer_3_xlarge[1].jpeg (27.94 KiB) Viewed 13750 times

It's always overhead!
Paipo surfer in repose,
Nose on the nose,
No grunting he-man pose.
See how fast he goes!
What is it he knows?
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#7

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

I've been looking for a set of longer based keel fins that would fit in all three fcs plugs but only have a depth of 3-4"s.
Keen to get drive and hold for fast down the line speed.
I've not found anything along those lines and came across these fins while hunting around...
http://www.reefshark.com.au/
These could actually work quite well so I'm going to give a pair a try and will report back.
I've used all manner of fins on my surfboards (Spitfires, turbo tunnels, wavegrinders, bonzers, butterflys and the like) so I'm looking forward to the experiment.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
rodndtube
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 1158
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:34 pm
City: Arbutus Land
State or Province: Maryland
Country: USA
Interests: Waveriding, travel and the Paipo Research Project
Location: Maryland, USA & Where the Waves Are Breaking
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#8

Unread post by rodndtube »

Look tempting... sharp edges, ouch! Let us know how they work out.
rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i

"The sea doth wash away all human ills."
-- Euripides.
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#9

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

The fins do look lethal but in saying that I've had some pretty wicked looking fins in other boards.
The potential for being rolled with the board seems pretty high with the prone board though.
If you don't hear back from me at least you'll know whats happened. ;)
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#10

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

I've also tried a set of curved fins (think fcs c-grv) which worked phenomenally.
Best fins by far.
Used them in weak 1'ers that were still running down the line and they gave me the feeling I could go anywhere I wanted to.
Plenty of drive and hold in turns but still loose enough.
Tried them again in glassy 2-3' waves with some grunt today and still felt great.
Paddled out first with some Stretch template fins (fronts of quad set) and while they felt good enough not quite there for that feeling I had with the curved fins (being able to go where i wanted easily).
So I paddled back in and swapped the fins.
The curved felt great.
Would have liked to have a slightly smaller set in waves like today as I don't need the area the fins have for drive.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
rodndtube
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 1158
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:34 pm
City: Arbutus Land
State or Province: Maryland
Country: USA
Interests: Waveriding, travel and the Paipo Research Project
Location: Maryland, USA & Where the Waves Are Breaking
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#11

Unread post by rodndtube »

Cuttlefish, can you post a couple of pics of the "curved fins" from a couple of different angles. What sizes are they?
rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i

"The sea doth wash away all human ills."
-- Euripides.
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#12

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

img20110616111838[1].jpg
img20110616111821[1].jpg
img20110616111814[1].jpg
Fins are 4 3/4" tall, base 4 1/2" and to angled up to cutaway which is then 5"s long.
The chap I've borrowed them from also has a smaller pair which I can try.
The shark fins arrived...had to sand down the tabs to get them to seat in the plugs properly.
They are pretty small so I'm not expecting much drive out of them.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
bgreen
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 1232
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:17 pm
City: Brisbane
State or Province: Qld
Country: Oz
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#13

Unread post by bgreen »

I had the FCS fins I have cut down - haven't used them yet. They are 2 1/2" high by 3 3/4 " long.
Attachments
P1080578 (600 x 450).jpg
P1080578 (600 x 450).jpg (48.28 KiB) Viewed 9910 times
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#14

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

skim.jpg
skim.jpg (82.26 KiB) Viewed 9905 times
While I'm thinking of it and I've got your attention Bob...I saw a 41" skim board with a wide planshape going into a shallow curved swallow (bum tail) and thought, "this has potential to be ridden as a paipo".
Needs a re-paint though.
Think I've read of people surfing skim boards?
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
bgreen
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 1232
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:17 pm
City: Brisbane
State or Province: Qld
Country: Oz
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#15

Unread post by bgreen »

Hello Pete,


I know Poobah suggested to me once using a skimboard as a paipo when I was looking to avoid airline charges. They'd be hard work but I suspect in the right conditions could work. Why not.

Bob
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#16

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

Yep...reckon my 4'2" is enough work paddling for me without making it any harder.
Having a rest atm as I have a torn medial ligament in my right knee (not from waveriding) which needs to be rested.
Take fish oil and glucosamine daily already but using an anti-inflammatory from the doctor has helped a lot.
So haven't got to try out the little shark fins I got.
Not expecting much as they look too small to do the job.
The butterfly fins pictured above gave me a good slice on the heel the other day so I'd be making sure the edges were dulled down somewhat if I was going to use them.
Probably go for a three tab keeled version of them if I can have them made.
Looks like there may be some waves on offer Mon/Tue.
Been very flat lately.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
User avatar
Cuttlefish
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:11 am
City: Sunshine coast
State or Province: Qld
Country: Australia
Interests: Oceanic frolicking
Location: Sunshine coast

Re: Fin recommendations

#17

Unread post by Cuttlefish »

Hadn't surfed my board for a while but I've tried it with an old set of blue Kelly Slater fins that I heated up and put an inward curve in them.
Bingo!
Went from a very ordinary fin which would release and let the board start sliding if I pushed it hard (which I don't actually want) to holding through hard bottom turns but still pivoting well off the top.
I'll take a pic and post it if I can remember how.
Only a rat can win the rat race.
jbw4600
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 289
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:08 pm
City: Kentfield
State or Province: CA
Country: USA
Location: Fairfax, CA
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#18

Unread post by jbw4600 »

Here are the fins I have been using. They are Futures T1 twin fins. They have 4.8 bases and 5.15 height. They hold really well and seem to turn ok. This is first time I have had fins in 30 years, so I am pretty new. I am also getting used to riding a bigger board. I am going to try some smaller Al Merick fins made by Futures at some point to see if I can get some more loseness without losing hold. I think they are close to the Kelly Slater fins. This weekend I will get to test them out on steeper waves.
Attachments
IMG_1514_1.JPG
IMG_1511_1.JPG
IMG_1513_1.JPG
mrmike
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:36 pm
City: coronado
State or Province: ca
Country: United States

Re: Fin recommendations

#19

Unread post by mrmike »

SKIM BOARDS WORK REAL GOOD AS PAIPOS. I CUT THE TAIL SQUARE SO THE POINT ON THE REAR DOES NOT STAB ME IN THE N@#* :o
User avatar
rodndtube
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 1158
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:34 pm
City: Arbutus Land
State or Province: Maryland
Country: USA
Interests: Waveriding, travel and the Paipo Research Project
Location: Maryland, USA & Where the Waves Are Breaking
Contact:

Re: Fin recommendations

#20

Unread post by rodndtube »

jbw4600 wrote:Here are the fins I have been using. They are Futures T1 twin fins. They have 4.8 bases and 5.15 height. They hold really well and seem to turn ok. This is first time I have had fins in 30 years, so I am pretty new. I am also getting used to riding a bigger board. I am going to try some smaller Al Merick fins made by Futures at some point to see if I can get some more loseness without losing hold. I think they are close to the Kelly Slater fins. This weekend I will get to test them out on steeper waves.
Looks like tons of fin to me... and I am a fin user. Size, rake and being so far back creates a huge trailing tip/mass behind the board. No doubt this combination will hold into the wave very well but turning flexibility would be compromised. My personal preference would probably be a pair of 3-inchers. Worth trying out to feel the effect - hopefully you can borrow a pair of loaners -- fins are too damn expensive to buy every type you want to try.
rodNDtube
"Prone to ride"
I love my papa li`ili`i

"The sea doth wash away all human ills."
-- Euripides.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests