Fin galore

[Luc Benac]

I am stoked with plenty of fins to try on my new board.

Gladiator Hybrid
Gladiator Pro
Laird Ocean (9")
JP Australia Race 8.3

and a Large Future Fins Carbon Keel that I was selling but that I might try out with the new board.

[HanaSurf]

What board are you going to try these fins on? I'd be interested in the results between the Glad Hybrid and the Pro and also how the Futures Keel fin does.

[Luc Benac]

What board are you going to try these fins on? I'd be interested in the results between the Glad Hybrid and the Pro and also how the Futures Keel fin does.

JP Australia Sportster FW 14'x28"
I used just one time the Pro instead of the Hybrid on my Touring 14'x30".
There was a bit of flat water and the Pro is nicer in my book - it feels that the board glide a tiny bit further.
In small chop the Pro was doing all right. No problem whatsoever with tracking.
Stability was OK but I get the sense that on bigger chop I would definitely want to put the Hybrid.
The Touring is very stable so curious to see what will happen with the JP.

Cheers,

Luc

[Luc Benac]

I had a chance to do more paddling, not enough to be categorical but I was quite surprise by the results.
Even if the board is less stable at 28" than the Touring at 30", the two larger fins feel just that - a little bit too big and like the tail is dragging a little bit.
Of the smaller fins, the stock fin has proven particularly good and really excellent in flattish water. The board just glides more easily. Less stability but nothing scary. Definitely a good fin for flat.
I will try the Gladiator Pro in choppy water to see if it would be enough without going to the Hybrid or the Laird. I have a sense that it would be unless in the rougher waters.
The keel I am just discarding and selling, I find that it just deadens the board without bringing anything special in exchange.

Cheers,

Luc

[coldsup]

I like the look of the Laird the most......bet that would work well on my M14

[Luc Benac]

I like the look of the Laird the most......bet that would work well on my M14

This has been my go-to fin on the Touring and specially when I know that a lot of downwind is going to be involved.
On the Sportster it still feels a little bit big and draggy which I find strange. I am going to try using the Gladiator Pro as an alternative.

Tell you what, you bring your M-14 and both of us can try the fin on it :-)

Cheers,

Luc

[coldsup]

I like the look of the Laird the most......bet that would work well on my M14

This has been my go-to fin on the Touring and specially when I know that a lot of downwind is going to be involved.
On the Sportster it still feels a little bit big and draggy which I find strange. I am going to try using the Gladiator Pro as an alternative.

Tell you what, you bring your M-14 and both of us can try the fin on it :-)

Cheers,

Luc

That's a deal.....if I start paddling now I may make it in a year. 

[Luc Benac]

I like the look of the Laird the most......bet that would work well on my M14

This has been my go-to fin on the Touring and specially when I know that a lot of downwind is going to be involved.
On the Sportster it still feels a little bit big and draggy which I find strange. I am going to try using the Gladiator Pro as an alternative.

Tell you what, you bring your M-14 and both of us can try the fin on it :-)

Cheers,

Luc

That's a deal.....if I start paddling now I may make it in a year. 

I thought that the new design with flatter rocker was faster :-)

[Luc Benac]

Tried the Gladiator Pro on flat water this morning.
The position of the fin seems to change big time the trimming of the board.
I had the fin in the middle of the box rather to the front and then to the back of the box.
It looks like the position to trim the board moves with the position of the fin. I guess that it is normal but I had never noticed with my previous board.
Overall I like the Gladiator slightly to the front better.

Cheers,

Luc