Fin choice for surfing (turning) DW board

[Area 10]

Ok, I'll say it again: different boards require different fins.

It's no use saying "this fin is good". You need to say "this fin is good in X board in Y conditions".

And on top of that, you could add "with a rider who weighs Z and has A experience".

Please be wary of anyone offering simple solutions to a complex problem. That is how I've ended up with around 150 fins for my distance SUPS at vast expense, 95% of which I will never use again...

Let my stupidity provoke your wisdom.

If someone suggests X fin, ask WHY the poposed fin change will work fo you. Then turn on your BS meter and if it wavers, keep your money in your pocket. There is more total sh&t talked about fins IMO than anywhere else in SUP - or surfing.

[stoneaxe]

True dat.....I  think that pretty much everything is subjective

[PonoBill]

Fin location and board characteristics make the same fin act differently, but there's a couple of elements worth considering. A rigid fin with a lot of rake will resist turning because the center of force (drag) is located behind the center of rotation--which tends to make the fin track. A flex fin counters that a little when you apply turning force but goes back to straight tracking when the force is reduced.

A more vertical fin turns easier but won't track well. Spitfire fins as used on rudder boards have equal area on both sides of the rudder post. This balances forces on the fin and makes it easier to get the rudder to turn, but also makes the tail more responsive to turning effort and doesn't do much for tracking. Anyone who has tried to turn a rudder board from the tail knows how the nose hunts and over-steers.

Wardog's vertical flex fin (the 8.25" WD Wave) looks like da kine, as does Bob's Faberow flex.

[baddog]

Different fins work in different boards.

Ditto.  And riders and conditions...