2016 Infinity Blackfish 14 x 27

[FloridaWindSUP]

Current owner of the board has the right and left side fins reversed. The flat side with writing is supposed to face out.

The board is big and wide enough that you probably won't need the side fins, anyway, and I suspect you'll have better handling and speed with just a single, normal fin, plus maybe the little forward fin if you want it for tracking.

[Rideordie]

This should be an interesting discussion. What say tee Blackfish owners is FL?  Is FLWdSUP right about that?

[Luc Benac]

This should be an interesting discussion. What say tee Blackfish owners is FL?  Is FLWdSUP right about that?

Check a few posts up. noted same. But you cannot 100% rely on the screening on the side of the fins as sometime these get mixed-up. You have to compare flat side (outside) and foil side (inside).

[Rideordie]

Luc, I was referring to probably faster without the rear twins. I thought that the twins were doing something for speed as well. That's my recall. Thoughts?

[burchas]

the function of the twin fin is usually misunderstood by single fin riders.

sure, stability is a byproduct of those fins but the more important aspect
is due to the extra stability you're able to ride a much shallower center fin
which will reduce the amount of drag.

The second aspect according to Larry is the reduced tail drag due to lift.

[Luc Benac]

Luc, I was referring to probably faster without the rear twins. I thought that the twins were doing something for speed as well. That's my recall. Thoughts?

On my 2015 Blackfish 14x26, the fastest set-up was Elliptical Twins with a small ventral fin as the kick and a ventral fin.
Next was same setup but with a 6" Stinger kick, which also helps in chop.
I did find the Elliptical Twins notably faster than the Small Blackfish Twins. Larry explained to me that they provided a faster release which happen to work for me but not necessarily for others.
All this based on my experience, is for me with that specific board and based on my stroke. YMMV.

[Rideordie]

Burchas and Luc,
Thanks for the replies.  That's what I expected to hear.  With the right set up, four fin configuration is adding some speed with reduced drag and improved stability.  That is kind of the whole point of the four fins.  It is interesting to hear that Luc's formula includes the small ventral as the kick.  That seems to align logically with Pono Bill's "fence" field testing.  I was wondering if anyone had tried out using a small ventral  as a "fence".               

[Luc Benac]

Yes, there is another guy I am connected to on FB that has been experiencing the same result. This is on flat water, not chop.
I have found that the fence could loose is advantages when conditions changed from flat.

[burchas]

This is certainly the case Rideordie. This goes beyond just the Blackfish mind you, I have the 4 fin setup on my SIC FX 12.6x27 and it applies
to that board as well where it actually went beyond the usual benefits as it improved the "roll" control of the board which reduced oversteering
when applying full power on the paddle.

[Luc Benac]

Yes it also works great on Boardworks Eradicator.

[Rideordie]

Good to hear that this is a proven concept among different boards and not just a passing fad.  Will be interesting to see other manufacturers pick it up.  When i was in Maui, I visited the SIC shop and I advised that the jury was still out on the four fin concept.  I expect there is some real reluctance to increase board prices due to the extra fin boxes and the extra fin costs.  And the additional build complexity exponentially increases the potential for warranty issues.  I would "wait and see", as well.
     

[Rideordie]

I will add that as with any leading edge technology change, there are great rewards for the successful pioneers.  Dave and Larry deserve the credit and rewards for stepping out with courage and conviction.  I am glad to be joining the Speed Freak tribe!!   

[Luc Benac]

I am glad to be joining the Speed Freak tribe!!   

The most exclusive one is in Western Canada #northernspeedfreaks
We are small in number but with big paddles :-)
Enjoy your new board.

[burchas]

Good Luck! Keep us posted on your experience.

Also, note that usually the Blackfish prefers higher cadence for max speed
and if memory serves well you're more of a power stroke kind of guy and might
need some adjustment.

[Luc Benac]

True. If you can keep the board at or over 8 km/h it is unreal. Just skimming over the water 
On flat water with no help from tide or wind, I did not have that capacity for very long.....