Just got a 14' Glide had one downwinder in marginal conditions 8k with 10 to 12 knots. Have done about a half dozen downwinders before on a PSH 12er so no expert.
I used the Futures dolphin fin below not the stock. Board paddled well on the flat and upwind.
However I was a bit under whelmed by the Glides willingness to catch runners but I am 108kg and there was not much wind. Belly was cruising on a JL Albatross but he is 65kg.[}:)]
Obviously will try the stock fin but interested in the discussion as it has come up as a side issue in some other threads.
So the question of the experts is which of these fins would be best and is there a magic fin that will transform the board into a downwinding masterpiece????
IMO.. that 8 1/2" fin is a bit small for that board.
I use the big 10 1/2" fin that comes on the 11'6" amd 11'4" Naish boards and I think it works really well.
You could go down to a 9 1/2" or 10" but I wouldn't go smaller.
Watch were you're standing when you are trying to catch runners.. You're probably standing a little too far back.
We found that the magic spot to stand is with your toes touching the smooth front section of deck grip.. and move back once you catch one.
DJ
Hey DJ what about some of the earlier wind surfer dagger style fins have you tried them in a DW'er , weren't they originally designed to give some tail lift ?
Rob
Certainly improved when I moved forward no probs with the nose digging in.
So the stock dagger is not so good, looked a bit suss.
Anyone got a 10" Naish fin from a 11 6 or 11 4 going cheap????
What about a modified keel fin it might be more drag in the flat but out at sea wouldn't this give more tail lift to pick up runners ?
Rob
hilly, at this stage of the game,no one really knows whats best imo- they are still trying to work the boards out yet. shapers' the axe' is going well in my 14'
cheers
Holy crap 15" that's a long fin. Interesting shape though, would be good to hear from someone who has tried one.
Another option www.wavegrinder.com/ AA at Balmoral will have these soon very scientific approach Worth a try
Hey Hilly,
At 105 - 108 I havent found a board yet that works for me in serious cross chop.
Also the boards I have tried make you move 14 - 18 inches forward of the handle to get speed then the ass sticks up in the air the fin slips out and bingo your taking a bath.
Maybe thats why the futures fin is 15 inched deep.
Maybe uncle Blaine might make something for the Big Druddas?
Phill
Jeez I love this forum
Ask question get good advice Thanks guys
Bigger fin and standing forward helped heaps went much better today
Asked for fin Got 2 offers legends
Phill I am hearing you about the weight. Funny think was I was quicker than Belly on the 16 footer today. Dramas with his steering helped me
You will be glad to know the 14 footer surfs a treat not the loosest thing in the world though. Caught a few at Mettams on the way down the coast. Was a worry to see Belly on the DC16 wiping out snapping a leggy and board heading towards rocks All good in the end
How tall are you Hilly? Maybe it's time to lose some fkn weight?
Good question though. I don't like the standard fin on my 14' either - seems a bit windsurferish to me. I'm thinking of putting on one of those big arse Jimmy Lewis fins. The advice of standing forward on the 14' Naish is valid. To get speed you want to keep the nose closer to the water, and as that board has such a big rocker on it then you need to go further forward. The nose rocker is actually a great thing on the d/w's I've done in the more extreme conditions as it helps keep the nose from plowing under the waves and cutting through the water when it does go under.
I think many of us, who own this yellow beast also enjoy surfing it on tinsy days. I can't steer it for the life of me and would also appreciate suggestions on more surf oriented fins for it.
Enjoy your board Hilly, personally I love that board.
How tall? 6 2 not much pudding to loose.
Steering the board one foot right back lean over, went okay on my backhand with a slalom windsurfing fin from 2002.
Cheaparses at naish supply a 02 windsurfing fin with a 2.5k board In 2010 WTF??????
Yes enjoying the board will try different fins next week
Yes, the stock Glide Fin is not great.
I've been mucking around with the Glide 14 in small surf a bit, and you can quite happily catch unbroken waves (with any fin in), but once you're going, and you want to put in some turns, there's no questions that raked surf fin / dolphin fin, of any description feels better.
Oliver - regarding steering the board in small surf - you have to run back near the tail, and turn it from there, and run forward throw in a paddle stroke if you need to. Going forehand, just get you back foot toes over near the rail, to get weight on the inside rail.
OK, now it's time to go and get some relatively solid waves.
(after this, lets get back on topic.... fins.... )
Oliver, BMI is only a guide. If you have a lot of muscle mass, you can pop up as obese. I think half of the AFL footy players pop up on the low end of over weight. The AFL boys are measured by skin folds. Far more accurate.
But yeah, 108kg is no light weight !!
Here's 3 of the best AFL Prime Movers, and we can probably all agree they are not overweight !!
Jonathan Brown 195cm, 102kg, BMI 26.8 (low end of over weight)
Lance Franklin - 196cm, 101kg, BMI 26.3
G Ablett Junior - 182cm, 88kg, BMI 26.6
25+ is overweight
30+ is obese
I tried a few other players, they are mostly 26.
Without checking the calcs / stats, I estimate that the NRL boys are more in 27 - 28 BMI range.
My BMI is currently at 28 - maybe I have light bones?
It's not me saying this - it's medical experts.