MyPaipoBoards Forums

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.

Here ya go.

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.

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

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.

I'm having the time of my life riding the gst.

Welcome to
The PRONE ZONE!
It's always overhead!

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.

Look tempting... sharp edges, ouch! Let us know how they work out.

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.

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.

Cuttlefish, can you post a couple of pics of the "curved fins" from a couple of different angles. What sizes are they?

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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@#*

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.