Sorry, this is a pretty basic question - I tried going back through old threads to find an answer, but couldn't bring them up for some reason. I lucked into a 9'6" soft-rail (23" wide, 3.25 thick, moderate rocker) longboard. It has a side-bite, 2+1 set up, with center fin box. I've got a 9" SRO (all-around) fin that I'm thinking of using with it. It'll be used in knee to shoulder high waves. What's the relative trade-off of using the side-bites or not? I'm thinking looser without, but quicker-turning with, but I'm wondering if it might be just too much area, and actually draggy if I keep the side-bites in. (It seems like a 7" center fin is more the standard with this.) Course, I know the best answer is emperically-derived, just try it both ways, but it's likely to be at least several weeks until I get a chance and was just wondering. Thanks in advance. billa
I like riding with and without the side bites. As you said, the difference is turn vs speed. Also, the side bites slow down a drop turn and put you in better control. Since my favorite surf is fast bar breaks, the question is usually "What kind of shape am I in today?". I can paddle into waves easier/earlier with the 'bites out, but I like the control better with the 'bites in. One of the secrets is to get the proper amount of sidebite drag. I limit my side bites to 3", and I toe each 'bite in only 1/8" back-to-front. If you play around with these two dimensions you can arrive at the compromise of turn and speed which suits you.
Billa, I have a Yater 9'4" 2+1 Rounded pin. I have surfed it with every kind of fin size imaginable but I have to say I like surfing it single the best. I have a 9" Wingnut cutaway that I love, as well as a Squirrel cutaway. I just like the smooth glide, easy wave catching ability, and the long drawn out turns. If I really put weight on my back foot while turing, I can turn it just as good as having three fins. It took me a while to find the right fins for it but the experimenting payed off. I have been longboarding for only 5 years, but I really feel longboards are more efficient as single fins. If I want that tri-fin feel and performance I take out my 8' hybrid tri and that satisfies that.>>> Sorry, this is a pretty basic question - I tried going back through old > threads to find an answer, but couldn't bring them up for some reason.>>> I lucked into a 9'6" soft-rail (23" wide, 3.25 thick, moderate > rocker) longboard. It has a side-bite, 2+1 set up, with center fin box. > I've got a 9" SRO (all-around) fin that I'm thinking of using with > it. It'll be used in knee to shoulder high waves. What's the relative > trade-off of using the side-bites or not? I'm thinking looser without, but > quicker-turning with, but I'm wondering if it might be just too much area, > and actually draggy if I keep the side-bites in. (It seems like a 7" > center fin is more the standard with this.) Course, I know the best answer > is emperically-derived, just try it both ways, but it's likely to be at > least several weeks until I get a chance and was just wondering.>>> Thanks in advance. billa
Thanks Noodle and Eddy. I'm thinking I'll go without the bites when the waves are a little slower, go for the glide... Probably use the bites at a break I'm thinking of that requires a real break and run - it's a point, and you have to catch it and make a real quick initial turn in order to make the run down the line, it dumps fast, then tapers off. So..what would be the difference in performance if the center fin was longer or shorter (e.g. a 7" ?) -- thanks again
Large single longboard fins noseride better, are draggier, and turn worse. With a big fin you have to paddle in at a bigger angle, and drop on the rail. From there your turns are trim turns, from the center forward. These characteristics pertain to smaller, faster waves. For larger waves, you need a bigger fin just to handle the speed. The added wave power returns your turning ability. Smaller single fins make your board faster, and "turnier"... less control. Small fins are only useful in smaller surf. The added paddling drag caused by big single longboard fins is relative. So is the lowered stability of small single longboard fins. After all, you're on a longboard. They paddle and glide faster, and are more stable than shorter boards no matter what fin you put in them.
Thanks Noodle.