Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: safetyboy on June 26, 2020, 07:46:23 AM

Title: Let's talk fins
Post by: safetyboy on June 26, 2020, 07:46:23 AM

Photo below is the fin that I have on my new board right now.  I wonder if there is something better out there for me.

Mostly I am paddling flat water on inland lakes, sometimes into light chop, but almost never surfing.

My priority is speed and glide.  12.5' x 26" , ~265 L volume.  Will I notice a difference if I switch to something else?  What should I switch to?

Love to hear some recommendations.

- Thanks, Kevin   

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: PonoBill on June 26, 2020, 08:50:44 AM

Standard dolphin design is always a good fin, after all, dolphins "designed" it and they absolutely kick ass in the water. But a design that moves more of the area to the tip will resist the sideways torque of your paddle stroke a bit better. Dolphins do all their paddling well behind the fin, and apply force directly on the centerline. They don't need to worry about torque.

I like Larry Allison's fin designs a lot. But the only way you'll know what's best for you is to try one.

There may be other opinions on this. I think fin opinions are right up there with "what oil works best in my 2002 GS1150 BMW" suggestions--like belly buttons, everyone has one.

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: OkiWild on June 30, 2020, 08:33:24 PM

I have a few expensive carbon fins for my downwind board. I found that the fin that works best in the board is a cheap honeycomb/fiberglass version of what you have there. It also surfs the best on the race board  :)

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: PonoBill on June 30, 2020, 09:57:43 PM

I have a "magic" Fiberglass Hawaii dolphin fin that I got for a few bucks in the remnants bin at a Maui surf shop. It's my favorite big board surfing fin. I think I paid eight bucks for it. Giampaolo saw it and immediately wanted it, even though it's scuffed up and crappy looking. It doesn't look special, but it's sort of a legendary thing I guess.

Dolphins are great for surfing, but there are other shapes I like better for downwind or flat water paddling. the venerable squirrel shape is particularly good for downwind, where you need both directional authority and turning ability. Sort of the predecessor of the Aerocore fin.

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: burchas on July 01, 2020, 07:54:42 PM

I would second the Larry Allison fins. specifically this one: https://smile.amazon.com/Larry-Allison-Hybrid-Race-Touring/dp/B07NF9BZHS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=larry+allison+fin&qid=1593614997&sr=8-1

Larry was pushing it specifically for the 12.6 race boards at the times they were still popular. I had this specific one. Pretty durable and the price is right

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: Skate on July 02, 2020, 07:50:52 AM

I would look at a Larry Allison jr dolphin, or a Black project tiger fin.

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: safetyboy on July 07, 2020, 07:17:12 PM

"I would second the Larry Allison fins. specifically this one:"

Do those fit in a "standard" fin box?  It doesn't look like the base is the same kind as my current fin, like this one:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0157TAYP4/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0157TAYP4&pd_rd_w=EZHvk&pf_rd_p=a64be657-55f3-4b6a-91aa-17a31a8febb4&pd_rd_wg=k5zFP&pf_rd_r=CJPHCJBDYFCTDQ09F2K9&pd_rd_r=0c71607c-5051-4836-bfe1-1f4a6859abe0&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFQQzhRT1ZCTzZCRjQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3NzI3MzMyUlZMM0NKU0JVSzI2JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MjYyMTEzUkJBNjJZMlNEQklCJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0157TAYP4/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0157TAYP4&pd_rd_w=EZHvk&pf_rd_p=a64be657-55f3-4b6a-91aa-17a31a8febb4&pd_rd_wg=k5zFP&pf_rd_r=CJPHCJBDYFCTDQ09F2K9&pd_rd_r=0c71607c-5051-4836-bfe1-1f4a6859abe0&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFQQzhRT1ZCTzZCRjQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3NzI3MzMyUlZMM0NKU0JVSzI2JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MjYyMTEzUkJBNjJZMlNEQklCJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==)

Sorry if I am slow here... land-bound Ohio person here, not much surf shops in this area...

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: burchas on July 07, 2020, 09:22:04 PM

Quote from: safetyboy on July 07, 2020, 07:17:12 PM

Sorry if I am slow here... land-bound Ohio person here, not much surf shops in this area...

You are not slow, that base in the photo is a "click-it" base but I'm pretty sure the current versions comes with a traditional screw and plate that would fit your fin box.

Title: Re: Let's talk fins
Post by: supthecreek on July 08, 2020, 02:37:19 AM

Quote from: safetyboy on July 07, 2020, 07:17:12 PM

Sorry if I am slow here... land-bound Ohio person here, not much surf shops in this area...

Nalu Stand Up Paddle & Surf
Here's a link to the Google search, cuz it has their address
https://www.google.com/search?q=Nalu+sup+shop&oq=Nalu+sup+shop&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.6120j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Click website to see the goods.... good people, who do a lot of group paddling. Give them a shout if you are ever near Cleveland.
Say hi to my friend Steph, a rabid paddler and really stoked SUPster!