Board Fins?

by **cjr** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:29 pm

Hi

I'm riding a 7'2, 21.5 and 3 thick with FCS M7s. Has a decent rocker on it and as according to the dimensions, a good bit of buoyancy.

I can catch waves with obviously bigger conditions but I find paddling quite difficult at times. I have got my positioning right but feel as if there is a drag. I try to surf at least 3 times a week and put in a good session every time.

I'm just wondering if it's my fins that may be causing the drag? I'm 6'4 and 13 stone. So I understand the rule is bigger fins for bigger weight but would anyone recommend dropping to m3s?

Any help is great

**Sponsor**

by **kitesurfer** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:52 pm

Rocker has the biggest impact on a boards performance, then. You say it has decent rocker but what is the board, do you have a photo? Too much toe in on your fins would create excessive drag to but you won't be able to change the toe in. I doubt it will be an issue with your fin choice. Smaller fins will have less skin friction drag but in comparison to the overall skin friction drag of your big board it will be a very small percentage gain in drag reduction. I doubt too that any change in foil profile of the fins you've mentioned will make big changes. Lets see the board in question please?

KS

by **cjr** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:27 pm

kitesurfer wrote:Rocker has the biggest impact on a boards performance, then. You say it has decent rocker but what is the board, do you have a photo? Too much toe in on your fins would create excessive drag to but you won't be able to change the toe in. I doubt it will be an issue with your fin choice. Smaller fins will have less skin friction drag but in comparison to the overall skin friction drag of your big board it will be a very small percentage gain in drag reduction. I doubt too that any change in foil profile of the fins you've mentioned will make big changes. Lets see the board in question please?

KS

Hope these are OK.

Ignore the two fins missing, spring cleaning in process...

by **tony g** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:44 pm

Do you have a comp leash(thinner diameter leash)? Thicker diameter leashes will cause drag in the water. That is why you see good surfers using comp leashes. You can try some smaller fins, but I agree it is probably the rocker. Get as far forward as you can on your board when you are paddling to catch the wave. When you are to far back you will be pushing water and that causes lots of drag. As you pop up you you can put pressure on the tail with your back foot to keep from pearling.

by **cjr** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:14 pm

Thanks for the replies

Yes I have tried to move forward more and I think I have found the right position. Perhaps I should move a little more. Another leash would be interesting just to see if there's a difference.

Thanks for your help :beer:

by **tony g** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:32 pm

Let us know how it goes after your next session. I think moving forward a bit more will help you. I like to be far enough forward on my board that I have to arch my back a little to keep the nose from going under. You will find the sweet spot with time. Being further forward your board will plane on top of the water quicker and therefore slide down the face earlier, so be ready.

by **Threeo** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:01 am

+1 to the leash change comment. You really can tell the difference.

M3's are not that much smaller, they will have less drag but I dare say you'll notice it...especially paddling.

What you WILL notice is that M3's on a big board like that, likely won't work too well, especially if you're a bigger guy. You may find the board will be a bit "squirly", skid out, and generally not grip enough in turns where you need the drive. M5's are a great fins.

Get a comp leash. Beware that your board is long (and generally comp leashes aren't). See if you can get a longer comp leash as generally they're only 6ft/2m, this could create a gnarly situation when u wipeout (experience talking lol).

How much does the board "sink" in the water when you're on it? You may not have enough volume in your board (even if it's 7'2"). If it sinks too much you'll be trying to push through the water rather than cruise on top of it.

diversesurf.com.au <-- this site has good info regarding volumes.

by **Threeo** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:09 am

oops. I just re read the thread reguarding the board dims and info.

It looks to have a lot of entry rocker (nose to midpoint). Fantastic for steeper/hollower waves. but alas....the enemy of paddling

. Too much entry rocker gives similar paddling struggles as a lack of volume.

by **cjr** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:32 pm

Thanks for the replies, messed around with the fins, actually just took off the back fin and to my surprise it made a slight difference. I've tried moving a bit further up on the board and it's helped. I've noticed though that once on a wave, I feel I'm slow on a wave, not getting the freedom from say a foamie (completely different board but you get the idea). I feel I stagnate on the wave and want to get to the next section but alas the speed ain't there. Too much rocker perhaps? I've even tried moving up and down the board to find better positioning but no luck. *move up on down on feet not paddle position*

by **kitesurfer** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:19 am

That is a nice looking board cjr thanks for the putting up thje pics. It does look like that whilst it is thick and wide it is fairly narrow in both the tail and the nose. The areas where as a learner it is a good idea to have plenty of volume. 2 options i would suggest.
First is take off later, just as the wave is about to break.
Second, just for a day hire out a 7ft2 board that has a much rounder nose and if possible a wider tail. A bic or an nsp just to see how that paddles in comparison. Then you will know if you need to work on your paddling technique or wave positioning.

KS

Board Fins?

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