Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: OkiWild on October 09, 2019, 04:53:10 AM

Title: Fin Fit
Post by: OkiWild on October 09, 2019, 04:53:10 AM
Coming from the era of glass-on fins, sloppy fin fit bothers the hell out of me. The small amount of play you can get in a Futures box probably makes no performance difference, and I see people just snap the FCS II fins in without using the screws at all...but... 

I'll add aluminum body tape until you have to push the fin in, and there's no side clearance before tightening down the screws. The tape is malleable enough that it "conforms" to the box, but won't wear out over time, like regular painters tape will. I've found that with actual Futures fins, it only takes one strip (0.005") to close the gap, but some aftermarket "Amazon" fins take up to 3 layers (0.015"). When I find fins that work, they go in the board for good. A real Futures fin will tighten in pretty well if you crank down on the screw, but will loosen up over time, as the fin rocks against the screw, requiring tightening the screw again. Using aluminum tape, I don't need to crank down on the set screws to get the fin tight, just enough that you see the fin move down and seat.

I wonder how many other people out there are obsessive as me about fin fit... Some days it's ridiculous...LOL


   
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Badger on October 09, 2019, 05:14:24 AM
That's a great idea.   8)
 
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Night Wing on October 09, 2019, 06:36:08 AM
@ OkiWild

I use Futures fins on all of my three sups. If I ever get any "play" in them, I'll remember this idea.

Thanks for and sharing the tip.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Beasho on October 09, 2019, 06:54:51 AM
I was obsessed with fin testing a few years ago. 

My spots are similar to yours.  Big and boomy in the winter.  Warranting 10' boards and bigger.  My conclusion:  SMALL Fins are better.

Lift increases as the square of speed.  If you want to go fast you need to limit the drag.  Opposing fins with camber introduce HUGE amounts of drag.  Go with the smallest fins you can on the bigger SUP's for performance in bigger waves.

I made this video (edit) to show how ONLY the 1 fin is actually holding the board in the water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3z01EF80RE&t=63s 
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Beasho on October 09, 2019, 06:56:15 AM
I installed Pro-Boxes, changed cant, used symmetrical fins, reversed the camber on fins . . ..  until this happened.

Sad Sack:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNAybIFYPDs
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Bean on October 09, 2019, 07:31:35 AM
Bummer Beasho...that board has been the focus of several great threads here on the Zone.  Although it might not seem feasible to put her back together, I would take that on as a little project for sure.

Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Bean on October 09, 2019, 07:32:31 AM
On the topic of fin fit, on a hot day, for anyone struggling to fit a tight fin you might decide to sand the tab or even the box (ouch!) to fit.  But before you do, try dousing the fin box and fin with cold water.  It's amazing the difference that it makes.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: sflinux on October 09, 2019, 09:07:06 AM
I don't like loose fins on a thruster or 2+1 setup.  I usually try to mate a fin with a board based on the finbox. 
But when riding a single fin, loose worked for Larry Bertlemann (00:39).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06FlVg6vtI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06FlVg6vtI)
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Tom on October 09, 2019, 12:34:44 PM
I cut up an aluminum beer can for fin shims. Works well and there seems to always be an empty beer can about.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: nalu-sup on October 09, 2019, 12:56:20 PM
Having shimmed up windsurfing fins for decades, I have been in the habit of cutting pieces of thin plastic as you might find on common packaging. I keep a supply of different thicknesses as I swap different fins between different boards. Your metallic tape definitely works better than painters tape or duct tape, which both tend to shred easily.
I have had a lot fewer problems with Futures boxes than with US boxes, but I did have to shim a Futures box the other day.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: Badger on October 09, 2019, 05:58:25 PM
FCS sells these plastic fin shims that work really well in the large center fin boxes. Not sure how well they would work in the small Futures boxes. Most surf shops should have them.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: eastbound on October 09, 2019, 06:03:14 PM
bert!

great video
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: The Kernel on October 10, 2019, 10:49:59 AM
Having shimmed up windsurfing fins for decades, I have been in the habit of cutting pieces of thin plastic as you might find on common packaging. I keep a supply of different thicknesses as I swap different fins between different boards. Your metallic tape definitely works better than painters tape or duct tape, which both tend to shred easily.
I have had a lot fewer problems with Futures boxes than with US boxes, but I did have to shim a Futures box the other day.

I've always shimmed with paper such as a business card or just a small piece of loose leaf--all depending on the fit needed.  I wrap it around part of the base of the fin before putting the fin in the box, then slice of any excess with a razor blade.  The thinking was that the paper swells a bit when it is wet and really "locks in" the fin.  A local pro showed me this trick years ago. 

While I've never had a problem, this discussion has made me realize I probably need to expand my thinking to something more durable such as the plastic or metal tape ideas discussed here.  Actually, I'm kind of embarrassed that I didn't even think of those options; certainly those options mean that the fin can be removed and replaced with no hassle, as opposed to hunting down a new piece of paper because the existing one just falls apart upon removal.  Only shows why it's a good idea to check the Zone regularly to see what the smart people are doing.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: mrbig on October 10, 2019, 11:25:05 AM
Scissors on Dr. Pepper cans. Metal tape old dog new tricks. Sounds like a major improvement to me.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: eastbound on October 10, 2019, 12:22:02 PM
actually metal tape best--get it right in the garage, the proper tape setup for each fin remains attached, ready to go--hate that plastic film.

my boards are either fcs twin tab, or II, at this point so no mas the shim game
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: puget sound on October 10, 2019, 02:58:40 PM
Beasho...that slow-mo video made my day. Thanks.
Title: Re: Fin Fit
Post by: PonoBill on October 11, 2019, 06:49:01 AM
I use a LOT of metal tape. It's also way too good at fixing dings, so much so that many of my boards have permanent aluminum tape on them. It's must be permanent, it's been on them for years. I've even used it instead of hotcoat on larger repairs and modifications. It's lighter and pretty much won't leak unless you dink it again.
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