how to make a good board better (ref the DART)

[komsup]

The Coreban DART is a great board. However the fin it comes with seems to lack bite (grip) in wilder dw conditions (it is also unforgivably unsexy!). Is it really the best (allround) fin for the board? I'm hoping there's wisdom out there (in here?) The question also has merit with reference to other popoular boards... zoners?

[Area 10]

Try a FCS fatboy 10" right forward in the box if stability isn't a problem. That kind of squirrel-like shape is pretty good for DW boards in messy conditions. But if you want real grip and stability, and quick direction changes aren't an an issue for you, then a 10" hatchet/pivot fin (something like the Rainbow Pivot Grande) will probably do it.

But fin choices are a very personal thing. I feel an answer from Larry (or about his fins) coming soon...

Sometimes too much fin can be as much of a problem in wild stuff as too little. I doubt anyone will be able to tell you categorically what would be best for you. You need to try a few and work out what handling characteristics you like. But if you can try the two above, then have a go. They will feel very different from the stock fin. You may like the way they feel different, or you may feel that the changes aren't for the better overall, since all fin designs are compromises and the stock fin is quite low drag and turns quite well.

[Larry Allison]

The fin for that board in most conditions would Be a Gladiator Hybrid. In true downwind conditions a Ninja Fin. Mahalo,Larry

[MaineSUP]

I've also found the Dart's stock fin collects a salad of seaweed on every run.  IMO the only thing it's good for is fitting into the Dart's board bag (fins with any sweep don't fit).

[DavidJohn]

My friends using the smaller Glatiator fin in his Dart.. and he's loving it.

You can see it at the end of this vid.

DJ

[Area 10]

I've also found the Dart's stock fin collects a salad of seaweed on every run.  IMO the only thing it's good for is fitting into the Dart's board bag (fins with any sweep don't fit).

Yep, that's REALLY annoying. Coreban do a great thing in giving you a lovely board bag and then ruin it all with this small but fantastically annoying feature that means if you don't use the standard weed-catching fin you have to remove the fin every time before you put it in the bag. I extended the fin slot to the back of the bag and now it's OK. But I shouldn't have had to spend an hour or two of my time to do that.

[MaineSUP]

Area 10, how did you go about extending the fin slot in the board bag?  I want to do the same but don't want to ruin the bag by just going at it with a knife. Thx.

[shankfoo]

I've also found the Dart's stock fin collects a salad of seaweed on every run.  IMO the only thing it's good for is fitting into the Dart's board bag (fins with any sweep don't fit).

Yep, that's REALLY annoying. Coreban do a great thing in giving you a lovely board bag and then ruin it all with this small but fantastically annoying feature that means if you don't use the standard weed-catching fin you have to remove the fin every time before you put it in the bag. I extended the fin slot to the back of the bag and now it's OK. But I shouldn't have had to spend an hour or two of my time to do that.

Have you tried a QFR? I'm finding that it doesn't hold the fin in rock solid, but it takes the fin attach/detach thing down from a 'hour' to about 3 seconds.

[Area 10]

Area 10, how did you go about extending the fin slot in the board bag?  I want to do the same but don't want to ruin the bag by just going at it with a knife. Thx.

I bought some black webbing off the internet that was about 5 cms in width. It was pretty cheap - can't remember how much but it wasn't more than a couple of beers. Then I made a cut from the existing slot to the back of the bag using a craft knife and and piece of wood as a guide. Then cut two pieces of webbing each slightly longer than the slit I had cut using a hot knife. Fold each piece in half and tuck it equally over each side of the newly cut slot, overlapping a tiny amount with the existing one. Then using a Chandler's needle, I sewed each side of the webbing into place. I finished off by sewing into place a square piece of webbing at the end, at the back, to seal the slit and make it look nice.

Considering that I'm a total dummy with these things the result looks surprisingly good, and when I showed it to some friends I had to point out where I had extended it - they thought the bag came out of the factory with a long fin slot. It wouldn't pass close examination from a professional bag maker, but who on earth is going to get up close and personal with the fin slot on a bag? Good enough, job done, on with a sensible fin! Hope this helps.

[MaineSUP]

Cheers Area 10.  I'll give it a try.

[komsup]

Tx for feedback. Here's mine for what it's worth...
at our last dw I had a look at Ivan (van Vuuren) 's board. he's running a 9" long board fin (maisch dolphin) so that's what I went with.
My feedback: It felt fine, better hold than the stock fin in dw conditions.
I didn't feel I was hugely improved (oh no! I'm not!) so I experimented - with an 80's (cutaway) windsurfing fin, a 9" dolphin, the stock fin & a 7" (I think) old lb fin I dived off our local reef break.
stock fin acts as stopper in kelp, lacks hold in dw conditions.
small lb fin works fine, as does windsurf cutaway, in ocean paddling, seems to stop less in kelp, & allows me to steer ok.
9" dolphin 1st choice for dw'ers.