Makani Tere review

[SupSimcoe]

I always like to tinker and modify my equipment but for a Sup board there is. It much you can do. I decided that I will try out a few different fins to see what kind of change I get.

My testing platform is a Jimmy Lewis Rail 26.5*14 . The first fin I am testing is a Makani Tere fin as that is there downwind fin. I put it on and immediately felt that the board was lighter and acceleration was slightly faster. My upwind speed was about .3 to .5 mph faster than usual. Downwind was about the same gain but catching a bump was slightly easier. Stability was about the same as the previous fin during  paddling. When doing a pivot turn I am a little less stable but turns are so much easier it is well worth the loss. The stock fin did not like turning so this is a great improvement.

I tested in side chop and side wind and tracking and stability was equal to the stock fin. I also found that I was again .3-.5 mph faster.

 The Makani is over 2 mm narrower than the stock fin and is a  much smaller surface area. The base is about the same size so the loss in area is all on the back of the fin. I have a piicture of the two fins on top of each other so you can see the size difference. I think much of the speed gain is due to the small overall width and change in the foil shape.

Overall this change was great and it is going to be hard to take off a fin I am so happy with to test another but the water is still warm so it is the best time to do this. Up next I will test the Kawa fin.