Fin advice for Surtech JM Lahui Kai 14

[steepcreek]

I'm fairly new to SUP and recently got a good deal on a Lahui Kai 14' board.  I've been paddling it in mostly calm water and light chop on the tidal Potomac near DC with good results.  Took it down to the Chesapeake Bay in 1-2 waves, cross currents etc. and had some issues staying on it.

From what I've managed to infer from reading this forum, a different fin style might help with stability.  It seems like Larry Allison's fins have a bunch of fans here, would something like the Gladiator or other model be a noticeable difference from the stock fin?  I'm not really into racing, yet at least, but do like to go fast.  I'm 5'8" 160lbs if that makes a difference.

[Larry Allison]

Gladiator Hybrid would work but the Bat fin would give you a faster glide in moderate to white cap conditions with a Ninja for calm to glassy conditions.

[steepcreek]

Thanks for the input.  Think I'll give the bat fin a try.  Only problem is none of the colors match my hideously pink board

[Larry Allison]

Thanks for the input.  Think I'll give the bat fin a try.  Only problem is none of the colors match my hideously pink board

I think this look in the Bat shape would work for you my friend.

[ZooSUP]

How can I get my hands on a Bat fin!? Been looking for one for a while, but no such luck around here...

[Larry Allison]

How can I get my hands on a Bat fin!? Been looking for one for a while, but no such luck around here...

Call me at the factory 310-530-1383 my friend. Mahalo

[Muskoka SUP]

Larry - have you ever considered a smaller (plan) Batfin?  Or would that just be redundent with the smaller Gladiators - hybrid/race ?  I've had a Batfin now for 2 years, and although I keep trying others (grass always being greener etc  ) it always seems to end up back on my 12-6 SB Freerace.  The Freerace is an older design, and not especially a flatwater speedster, it needs all the help it can get - so I was thinking a tiny batfin.  (the Board does not need help tracking.)

Sorry for the hijack/segue

D.S.

[Larry Allison]

Larry - have you ever considered a smaller (plan) Batfin?  Or would that just be redundent with the smaller Gladiators - hybrid/race ?  I've had a Batfin now for 2 years, and although I keep trying others (grass always being greener etc  ) it always seems to end up back on my 12-6 SB Freerace.  The Freerace is an older design, and not especially a flatwater speedster, it needs all the help it can get - so I was thinking a tiny batfin.  (the Board does not need help tracking.)

Sorry for the hijack/segue

D.S.

For the Starboard Free Racer the Ninja would be the pick to speed up the board over the Bat. A small Bat would be not enough fin for that board and the Ninja will still have the tracking but increase of speed because the flex properties of the Ninja which makes the fin act like a 8" dolphin fin feel but the hold of a larger fin like the Bat.

[Muskoka SUP]

Thanks Larry. 

One thing that I am able to do with the Freerace is to weight the paddling side rails - a lot - to lift the opposite rails and bottom out of the water to reduce the wetted surface - decreasing drag. The board is 31" wide so it needs all the help it can.  Seeing as how (as far as I understand it)it's the base length of the fin that determines most of the tracking effectiveness, is the Ninja still the best way to go?  I don't think much of the fin is out of the water, if any.  Just wondering.

David S.

[Larry Allison]

Thanks Larry. 

One thing that I am able to do with the Freerace is to weight the paddling side rails - a lot - to lift the opposite rails and bottom out of the water to reduce the wetted surface - decreasing drag. The board is 31" wide so it needs all the help it can.  Seeing as how (as far as I understand it)it's the base length of the fin that determines most of the tracking effectiveness, is the Ninja still the best way to go?  I don't think much of the fin is out of the water, if any.  Just wondering.

David S.

The Base is part of the tracking situation, but the sweep of the fin as more to with the tracking. The beauty of the Ninja is it holds like a deep fin but has the feel to your feet and board like a smaller fin. Judging by your comments yes the Ninja would the fin of choice my friend. Mahalo

[Muskoka SUP]

Thanks again Larry.   BTW, I just got the Aercor fin from Jeremy (for my Glide 14). Nice.   Of course the wind died off as soon as I got it....sigh.  Nevertheless, I've paddled it lots the last week in flat water, just to get a feel for it.  Seems faster, and 1 paddle sweep off of the nose changes the boards direction just like advertised  . 

Thanks to lots of Zoners for this one -  Jeremy, Larry, and DJ for the positve reviews and vids.   I cannot wait for some wind.....arrggghhh.   

(maybe I should try it on the Freerace too....)

DS

[Larry Allison]

Steepcreek, A sneak peak at one of my new inlay designs in the Bat for your board my friend. Mahalo, Larry

[steepcreek]

Wow!  It's a work of art.  Can't wait to try it out.