Fin recomendations, three boards

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I use 24-28 cm wave or B&J fins on my smaller wave boards on lakes. I rip downwind often, so getting back upwind is critical. The primary equipment key to getting upwind, IMO, is POWER, and lots of it (just one of many reasons I rig big). On top of that, bigger and straighter fins help, as does technique.

I don't know how anybody gets away with those tiny little 22 cm fins unless they WANT to spin, as with freestyle tricks. WSMag tests of wave and B&J boards often said, "Comes with a 22 cm fin, but if you want to get upwind, you'll need more fin".

Specifically,

Arrgh · Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio

spennie · Joined: 13 Oct 1995 Posts: 975 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

I'm a "Beach Ambassador" for MFC, because I bought a couple of their fins, and they were so good I decided to go all out. I currently have about 12 or so MFC fins, so here's my take on things.

For the 135 X 70 XXX with a 7.5 I would definitely go for an MFC RC2 in 38-40 cm. Lots of people use gigantic fins to make up for bad technique, but if you go much bigger than this you're going to start railing at high speeds, never a good thing. Could probably get away with a 36 if you know what you're doing. Haven't tried the KP RC.

The 21 on the Skate is too small for sure, especially with a 6.5. The Liquid Pros seem to have a lot of lift for the size, so you could use a 28 to 34 L.P. and get a lot of range covered, or get both sizes. If the Quatro has the same box you'd have a nice crossover there. Might even be able to pop the 34 on the XXX when it gets really windy, again assuming matching fin boxes.

When it starts really blowing and you get down to your 85 Quatro, you may want to go to a true wave fin. I'm a huge fan of the 211 series, they have quite a bit of area for the size, which is great for getting upwind. Granted, not the fastest fin MFC makes, but do you really want to go 35 in 3' chop? Try a 25 or 27. My wife absolutely LOVES the SC Weed for all conditions. I've only used it in very high winds, since they only go up to 27 and I'm a big guy, but I must say it's pretty awesome, weeds or no weeds. It doesn't slant way back like most weeders, so it doesn't have any of those nasty characteristics JINGEBRITSEN spoke of.

Hope this helps you decide! Lots of good fins out there, and MFC is right in there with the best of them.

k5endrwh · Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 4

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656

spennie · Joined: 13 Oct 1995 Posts: 975 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Sailboarder: I weigh 215 and am well over 6' tall, and my largest fin is a 40, which I use when it's light and I'm trying to get my 7.8 NX race sail going. I actually prefer a 38 with my 7.8. You said earlier that you sometimes use a 40 with a 6.0, which tells me that you rely on a giant fin to get you going. Not criticizing, just stating a fact, if you like to sail that way, go for it! Just remember that fins are drag, no matter how good it is, and if you can sail a smaller one you'll go faster. That's one of the reasons I chose MFC, they seem to supply a lot of lift for their size, and very rarely spin out.

Sailboarder · Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 656

Spennie: You live in an area blessed with more wind! The 46 is balanced with my 9.0 sail, the one I use the most.

But I agree with you and I tend to use large fins. I'm also lazy and I will ride the 46 with 7.5 if it's already there, but the 40 is better. I prefer the 46 only when the wind is super puffy for ease of start on a plane. And I prefer riding a 28 on-shore wave with my 6.0.

My point was that if you are overfinned so much that the board is lifting you, you can reduce the fin size a lot, not only 2 cm, but maybe 4 cm. To get that type of lift, I need to be on my 7.5 quite well powered with my 46, and in nice flat water. If I switch down to the 40, everything is fine, and I agree that I would be even faster on a even smaller fin.