Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: Chaostactics on June 26, 2020, 04:01:30 PM

Title: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: Chaostactics on June 26, 2020, 04:01:30 PM
Got a new (to me) SUP. It's a 12' board and it has a ventral fin box installed. I understand these were a thing by Larry Allison/Fibre Glass Fin co. I've tried calling, messaging both the business page, and his personal page to no avail.

If I can't get a ventral fin from them/him personally could I just use some other small fin?

I'd be interested in using the board for open water/downwind but it's super choppy off of Oahu.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: surfcowboy on June 26, 2020, 05:54:22 PM
Larry’s hard to get but he’s around. Someone here will know how to get him.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: PonoBill on June 26, 2020, 08:52:37 PM
I haven't heard from Larry in quite a while. You can use a small fin, but the best ventral fins are very short vertically and as long or longer than the fin box.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: jrandy on June 27, 2020, 05:34:31 AM
Is your ventral fin box a standard 10" Fins Unlimited 'Bahne' 'longboard' type or is it more like the side fin boxes 3"?
I have made a couple boards with a Gearbox  center fin box amidship to allow for a smaller ventral fin.
To illustrate what Bill said, here is a picture I googled. This one is for a Bahne box and has the spring-leaded locking things.
I'd also be asking Robin Mair at Hanalei https://hanalei-fins.surf/ (https://hanalei-fins.surf/) I have a 2+1 set from hm and really like it.
(https://www.paddleboardspecialists.com/images/LA16VEN_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: Quickbeam on June 27, 2020, 07:35:40 AM
Is your ventral fin box a standard 10" Fins Unlimited 'Bahne' 'longboard' type or is it more like the side fin boxes 3"?
I have made a couple boards with a Gearbox  center fin box amidship to allow for a smaller ventral fin.
To illustrate what Bill said, here is a picture I googled. This one is for a Bahne box and has the spring-leaded locking things.
I'd also be asking Robin Mair at Hanalei https://hanalei-fins.surf/ (https://hanalei-fins.surf/) I have a 2+1 set from hm and really like it.
(https://www.paddleboardspecialists.com/images/LA16VEN_1.jpg)


This is the exact same ventral fin that I use on my Whiplash. I have to confess I’m not really a “fin guy”. I tend to know what I like and don’t like, but don’t have a vast knowledge of fins like some do.

I bought my Whiplash used a few years ago and it has the Larry Allison 4 fin set up. I bought the fins with the board so I got the ventral when I got the board. I haven’t tried any other ventrals, but I really like this one.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: Luc Benac on June 27, 2020, 08:25:36 AM
The only times I have seen ventral for sale (outside of directly from Larry) were as a full kit of four fins in places like Paddleboard warehouse or similar.
The fins tend to follow the board when boards are resold.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: TallDude on June 27, 2020, 09:43:35 AM
You can buy a cheap plastic Keel fin and then cut it down to the size you want. I've cut a few of these myself. Very easy to do, or have a carpenter do it for you. https://futuresfins.com/collections/surfboard-fins/products/thermotech-keel

As mentioned, confirm it's a Bahne long box.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: SouthCounty on June 28, 2020, 09:17:00 AM
Call Infinity, they use to have a ventral made by mark Stavron, not sure if the still have them or not. You could always ask Mark to make you one at Stavron fins
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: SouthCounty on June 28, 2020, 09:27:27 AM
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34369.0;attach=99783;image
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: PonoBill on June 28, 2020, 09:34:18 AM
The infinity guys should know how to get in touch with Larry as well. I miss talking to Larry, though it is a time commitment. He's an endless source of practical knowledge.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: Chaostactics on June 28, 2020, 11:23:40 PM
This is the board
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: Chaostactics on June 28, 2020, 11:30:41 PM
Is your ventral fin box a standard 10" Fins Unlimited 'Bahne' 'longboard' type or is it more like the side fin boxes 3"?
I have made a couple boards with a Gearbox  center fin box amidship to allow for a smaller ventral fin.
To illustrate what Bill said, here is a picture I googled. This one is for a Bahne box and has the spring-leaded locking things.
I'd also be asking Robin Mair at Hanalei https://hanalei-fins.surf/ (https://hanalei-fins.surf/) I have a 2+1 set from hm and really like it.
(https://www.paddleboardspecialists.com/images/LA16VEN_1.jpg)

Added a pic of the board. I think it's a full tenner but my tape measure is MIA
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: burchas on June 29, 2020, 03:59:26 PM
Something in this picture seems off. The position of the box seem to be smack in the center of the board. It looks more like a windsurfing setup. If that's the case a ventral is the last thing you need. Please confirm the distance of the box from your standing position.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: surfcowboy on June 29, 2020, 07:41:18 PM
Yeah that’s not an Allison rig to my eye.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: Larry Allison on July 01, 2020, 08:04:57 PM
Sorry been super busy at the new factory and short handed making fins. So I have to step in and foil along with some other tasks. Thank you Pono Bill for the kind word. Hi to Bean also and Luc.

As for a ventral fin on that Imagin, Imitation is a form of flattery and screw up. My friend that front box is at the balance point which will increase your yaw opposite effect. Better to ride that board with no Ventral fin because the placement of the front box is the same as a Windsurf Dagger fin to point higher. That placement will cause reaction that you will have to fight at any size fin. You could try a Stavron small Angry fin, but you will probably just get Angry, LOL!

Love to sell you a fin, but cant because poor fin Box Placement.

Thank you for the support my friends.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: TallDude on July 01, 2020, 09:43:57 PM
Glad to here you are very busy Larry.. 8) That Imagine board looks like it's from the Corran Addison era? 
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: Larry Allison on July 01, 2020, 09:50:05 PM
Talldude, You are right around 2013. Had a few interesting comments with Corran on Facebook and the forum. Got to give it to him he knows his boats, but not Paddleboards. He has crazy energy, like that guy. Hope you are well my friend.
Title: Re: Where to buy ventral fin? (Or substitute recommendations?)
Post by: sup_surf_giant on July 25, 2020, 10:33:38 AM
Call Infinity, they use to have a ventral made by mark Stavron, not sure if the still have them or not. You could always ask Mark to make you one at Stavron fins

Infinity has a few of these on the shelf...saw them this week when I dropped by to purchase a traction pad.
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal