Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Technique => Topic started by: LoudounSUP on March 11, 2021, 06:34:41 PM
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I got a great deal on a 14x22 Ninja. Problem is...I've been on a 14x28 raft (RS AirGlide) and the difference is quite shocking. I learned the hard way that March water temps are not ideal for learning to paddle a narrow board!
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With enough practice you'll get there. Get your self a good fin in mean time, it might help with easing you into it.
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bigger fin = more stability?
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bigger fin = more stability?
Larger surface area and then depth are the metrics to go by in that order. More surface area will help you remove some of the wobble over the standard fin
while overall faster due-to its shallower template and larger base.
The Larry Allison Dolphin keel is a very popular race fin for many folks transitioning to a narrower race boards: https://www.paddlesurfwarehouse.com/dolphin-keel-fibre-glass-fin-co-larry-allison.html.html
Another option would be the Larry Allison Hybrid fin: https://smile.amazon.com/Larry-Allison-Hybrid-Race-Touring/dp/B07NF9BZHS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=larry+allison+hybrid&qid=1615555146&sr=8-1
This fin is not as fast but would be more stable due to its template with a lot more surface area in the tip. More affordable as well.
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That is a big jump. I have worked my way down to a 22.5 board recently.
F ONE flatwater. A very different board to the Ninja though. Flat bottom and large square tail so I would imagine it is more stable.
As burchas says fins do make a big difference. I would buy a cheap fin like the FCS touring fin.
You need to have confidence in the secondary stability of the board. It may feel tippy initially but when you lean on that large rail there is a lot of stability there.
Keep moving. It sounds silly but when you slow down the fin and rails aren't working and the board is less stable. I used to start kneeling and do a few strokes to get moving then stand up. Same stopping,kneel down before you stop.
It takes time but you will get there and the reward will be worth it.
Nice board buy the way.
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Many thanks tarquin - all good tips!
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Loudoun, I've had the fin mentioned in this 2011 posting for ??? (Red in color) ...it also lacks a screw. If you'd like to simply try it send me a PM. It's yours to test for the cost of postage.
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=11744.0
Jim
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Loudoun, I've had the fin mentioned in this 2011 posting for ??? (Red in color) ...it also lacks a screw. If you'd like to simply try it send me a PM. It's yours to test for the cost of postage.
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=11744.0
Jim
Wow Jim, that is so thoughtful of you...many thanks. I think I'm going to just flat out purchase the Larry Allison "Dolphin Keel 14". I also found this $39 keel fin for consideration: https://checkout.supatx.com/sup-atx-keel-fin-color-black-length-7-5-free-shipping.html
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I also found this $39 keel fin for consideration...
If you're going for junk, you can go much cheaper.
If your fin does something similar to the picture below that's not a good thing...
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Noted...stick with the Larry Allison...got it!
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Copy ...report back, and good luck.
Jim
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Copy ...report back, and good luck.
Jim
Unfortunately, the Larry Allison fin does not fit. It's very long, and seems a bit thicker than most FCS fins. I even got out my rubber sledgehammer to drive it into place but its just not happening. Bummer.
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If it’s just a matter of thickness you could easily address it by sanding the base.
It’s better a base too thick than thin.
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Agree w/ burchas, probably worthwhile to make the effort to sand the base.
But if you're still looking at other fins ... check out my classified at:
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,36992.0.html (https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,36992.0.html)
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With the water much warmer, I headed out for my 2nd adventure with the 22 inch wide Ninja. I did manage to sand down the Larry Allison Fin (perhaps a little too much), so it now fits. This time I spent more time starting out on my knees, and learning how and when the secondary stability kicks in. I did manage 1-hour of shaking paddling without falling. Its surprising how much more tired you are after fighting to stay upright for an hour. A couple of notes:
*I'm at 85kg (187 lbs) and wonder if I'm too big for the board? The nose was pushing through the mirrored water with only the top of the nose above the surface. The board is rated at 250 liters.
**I have to believe the keel fin for Larry Allison was helping me stay upright. I was still shaking but stayed dry (except for my feet).
***About those wet feet. I'm officially not a fan of those drain holes that allow water to rush in when standing still. I can see during a race how its beneficial, but for just touring or anything when the water is cold, this is counterproductive (IMO).
****Of the newer flatwater SUP boards, I'm beginning to think the NSP Ninja has lower stability compared to its competitors (Starboard Sprint, Fanatic Strike, etc.) There is a concave, but its barely noticeable. I'm guessing if I can learn to paddle this thing then I should be able to paddle just about anything.
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I consider myself a good paddler, but I've tested the limits of what I'm able to paddle. I did a small loop on the harbor paddling an early Bonga 9'6 x 25" x 3.75" SUP that a friend who's petite around (46-48kg) paddled. Me at the time was about 110kg. I started off holding a dock post, and found my center. The entire board was submersed about 6" underwater. The water was to my shins. I paddled it for about 10 minutes before getting wet. I couldn't start paddling again while just floating in the water. I've SUP surfed boards that were underwater but not that much. As for race boards, I had a Richmond that was 19' x 22.5" with a deep foot well and drains. It had a rounded bottom that didn't help. Very wobblily even in flat water. I compared my race speed times on my GPS between the 19' x 22.5" and my 18' x 25" with a flat bottom and the time and speed were identical. The difference was you could see a jittery line on the GPS with the 19' x22.5 meaning I was wobbling noticeably. Whereas my 18' x 25" was a smooth straight line. I'm sure I burned more energy wobbling around. I ended up selling the 19' x 22.5 to someone much smaller than me.