JL Destroyer fin setup

[dingfix]

Hi, looking to understand what fin setup's folks are using on the 8'5 Destroyer.

The front boxes are 16" up from the tail, so that suggests they are aimed more at  a 2+1 setup?   It also means the distance between the front and back quad boxes is quite long, so I'm thinking it may not turn so well in Quad setup?

Stuck waiting for waves so not able to do any meaningful testing.  Any input gratefully received.  Thanks.

[LBsup]

Hi,

I have the 8’10 Destroyer riding it for a long time now as a tri fin.  I use the yellow quobbas up front and a 4” true Ames center fin.  This setup works well for me.

[dingfix]

Thanks for the info.   Ii"ll try it like that and see how it performs compared with my current setup which is 2+1 with a 7 inch cutaway centre.   Anyone riding it as a quad? 

[abmatt]

 I have yet to get my hands on a Destroyer, but have both my JL 8-11 Striker and 8-6 Super Frank set up as quads. Really love them with that set up, though not sure how that would relate to the Destroyer. How about trying it both ways, if you have the fins? Good luck. I'm waiting for waves too (forever).

[dingfix]

Thanks abmatt.  I have the fins so will try it as a Quad when I get time.  Want to get into using it as a thruster and a 2+1 first.  - I like those setups as I can slide the center fin up and down the box to get the exact feeling I want.

[dietlin]

In general, the closer to the tail the rear quad boxes are, the smaller the fins.  I agree that 2+1 is easiest to tune to rider satisfaction. And along those lines, FCS boxes can also be tuned by sawing/sanding the fin tabs and moving the fins a little closer to the front or rear of the boxes.  Also, shims can be used to adjust can't and toe in.  Not at all possible with Futures.

The rears on this five fin set-up are 4.5" tall. Very fast and loose Greg Griffin inspired set up for my 7'7" Destroyer MP SUP.

[dingfix]

Thanks.  That's a lot of fin area but if it works for you that's great!  The waves I surf are typically weak, could be a lot of drag from them.

[dietlin]

oops, typo - those rears are 3.5" tall.

Easy to over-simplify with fins.  Large surface area doesn't necessarily equate to 'drag'.  I actually prefer large fins in weaker waves, bc it's harder to engage the rail (which is also kind of a fin...).  Think of all the variables there are for fins: template, size, cant, toe-in, placement on the board (front to rear, distance from rail) and how that all interacts with the template, rocker and bottom contours of the board. 

[northshore_slider]

I've played around with fins on my 8'5 Destroyer quite a bit and my go-to setup has been 5.5" tall Gerry Lopez fins up front and a 1.75" tall nubster OR the matching GL thruster fin in the longbox, depending on the wave. If it's bigger I put in the matching thruster fin for extra bite on big bottom turns. When it's smaller I use the nubster so it is more nimble and almost behaves like a twin. I tried big twin keel fins but I found them to have a bit too much drag and made the bottom turn a bit sluggish.

[dingfix]

Thanks for the input.  Finally got some waves to check things out for myself.  I tried Quad, Thruster, 2+1.  My favourite setup is the standard JL side-bite with a 7.5" Futures cutaway.   Loads of grip but still very loose.  I moved the centre fin around to get a good balance between paddling straight and looseness.   Very happy now, what an excellent board this is!!!

[Tom]

Check this out
https://youtu.be/vyif5h4W2KI?si=F1d8ArDh1jmlC1AI

I'm planning on trying this as soon as we get some decent surf. I've always preferred thrusters but this makes scene to me

[sflinux]

Check this out
https://youtu.be/vyif5h4W2KI?si=F1d8ArDh1jmlC1AI

I'm planning on trying this as soon as we get some decent surf. I've always preferred thrusters but this makes scene to me

I really dig this set up.  Richard Schmidt was the first guy I have heard using this setup for big waves, he refers to it as a quad with the power fins in the rear.  https://surfsplendorpodcast.com/085-richard-schmidt/
The snafu that futures did is when they introduced a smaller 1/2" fin box.  Why?  This limits what fins you can put in the rear box.  If I ever get a custom board, they will have all 3/4" futures boxes.  This comes standard in all of my Blair surfboards/SUPs which allows for this quad setup.
Having the large rear fins gives tons of drive, which is awesome at speed.  The smaller front fins remind me of 2+1 setup, but you get the speed of a quad.  I have been bouncing between this setup or twins, the latter for smaller waves.
FCS is obviously compatible with this setup.