I've just ordered my first custom longboard. I've only ever owned one other so my experience in them is pretty limited, and my previous board had a glassed in fin so there was no experimentation possible.
Im getting a 9'6" mainly for smallish waves. I'm getting a wider nose to help with my non-existent nose riding, so that is an ambition.
But I am also getting a bit more tail rocker cause anyone who has lived or surfed in the Southwest knows it can get solid and I may stuff up the quiver when I get down the beach and that longboard may go out in some heavy double head high plus waves.
I am trying to figure out a good all rounder fin that can handle some juice and size.
I have a fair bit of experience on lots of different sized single fins and widowmakers and 2+1 midlengths, so I am extrapolating a lot of that experience and fin knowledge, but I want your learned opinions please.
i tend to think I like these types of fins:
But I think one of these type of shapes might be what I need:
Just a general guide on a suitable style of fin would be good.
cheers
glide x seems popular on all rounder type boards ,ie fire ball, here on east coast , maybe think about 3 stringers on custom build for over your way, on double over head seen a few snap mine included and that was on a shore break.
Dbl overhead 9.6 Longboard with plenty of rocker is not my idea of longboarding.
Hey each too their own would of thought gun is what you're looking for.
enjoy the new ride Post the pics when built.
As for fins well the blokes that build your board just about have that wired , meaning I've never felt I've needed to tinker with a McT.
hey jurk circle the fin theory as much as you like, I believe you can put a Real surfer on Anything but micro managing fins before You've even surfed it seems premature.
cheers.
All the black fins are the M redline fin as is the red M fin,the 4A George Greenough is also a great fin.The red Islander fin is good also.
No worries fins are personal what I like others may not but they work for me.The Alkali fin you posted is good also.Be sure to post some board images build and finish. if you can the forum is lacking of late since that lockdown thread
One of the West Oz LB comp boys said to me a few years ago. Big fins for small waves & small fins for big waves. Bigger fins are meant to be better for noseriding, but my friend Egor noserides just fine on a smaller centre.
I like my fin setup, a Ruben Roxburg 5.5 inch centre with some Asher Pacey 3.5 inch sides.
Wetfins has a bargain buy on the Roxburg set right now. Tempted to snap it up myself but I just bought a new board & way more focussed on shortboards these days unless waves are really small.
www.wetfins.com.au/surfboard-fins/longboard-fins/shapers-fins-5-5-ruben-roxburgh-2-1-fcs-bamboo/
Seems like the Forum Police are taking advice from Daniel Andrews. We need more rules, regulations & mandates...ohh & fines, yes more fines.
Can't get excited about your new board & ask advice before you get it.
Can't offer an opinion unless you have decades of board building experience.
And don't ask for advice if you have some kind of invovelement in the surfing industry, even if you havn't even mentioned or recommened the brand your involved with...
Circle Jerk...yeah .... No wonder this place is so dead these days. Whats the farking point for most people if you can't disscuss things without this kinda BS.
I'm currently running these in a couple of my single fin boards at 9.5 inches they go great I've got one on gumtree for sale. I had them shipped from the US weren't cheap.
I use the Glide Josh constable (JC7) and Greg brown (GPS2 7") if I'm riding a 2 + 1...I don't really **** around with those bigger longer fins or the more upright one you posted from glide.....both those sets seem to work well for me
Agree with Mick, good waves get a 2plus, Clearwater fins from Shapers are good.
Knee high or really fat waves a single is good but in proper waves a 2 plus 1 is a better option imo.
Greenough 4a is hard to go past, just agreat fin for all types of boards, just adjust fin size according to board length
Drip that looks amazing, did you shape that, very impressive
,, what's happening regarding glass job, anything but clear would be a crime
Actually, I finished up going with a fin that I thought would be functional (pretty similar to Mac's suggestion - silk inlay Josh Constable 10' fin)but really I chose it cause it was pretty and matched the ricey on the board. First two surfs I had it pretty much as far forward as it could go and (oh surprise surprise surprise) found the board a little too responsive for my complete lack of style, grace and skill.
Third surf knocked it back an inch. Felt better. I'll give it another surf or two there, then try it further back again.
Then it will be time to try different fins types. im looking forward to the adventure.
Oh yeah....it's a bloody big board. I'm sure it pulls harder on my leg in five foot surf than my 9'6" guns do in 12 foot surf.
And, typical get back fairies, fin proud me put the fin into rocks coming in on my first surf. It's not as pretty now.
I have a 9'6" nose rider. Flatish rockered. I am very happy with a 9" dolphin fin generally but have a 9.5hatchet which I like as well. Hatchet sort of stiffens it up a little. Also got the Greenough fin in 9.5". Great fin. Same as you. First time in water. Very small wave on reef. Sat up on board and dinked it on the rocks. I was fuming. Good luck if you do venture out in 2x. Don't snap it as it is a beautiful board.