Here's something I do when comparing fins, I find it helps negate the effect rake has on the functional position of the fin and helps two fins of different shape to be compared more fairly.
- Find the fore and aft centre of surface area of the fin and mark this at the base of the fin. (Make a little cardboard cutout of the fin, balance it on your pen, drop this point down perpendicular to the base.)
- Mark a fixed and static point on the board. In my case 10" from the tail but it could be anything.
When comparing fins put them in the same position using the two marks as the only guide, it doesn't matter if one visually looks further forward or aft in the box, it's the centre of area that is important.
Bit of a clumsy explanation I realise, here's a photo to help... The mark on the board, in both cases is 10" from the tail.
We're cross posting Andy.
My take on the whole hull thing is that it's a step towards finless. Less hold from the fin, more necessity to use the rail. That is what allows the turning from the front half of the board. You look where you naturally stand when riding finless - in the middle.
I'll definitely be running any and every (and zero) fins in the Liddle when it comes , lotsa fun times ahead!
Its all very complicated really... I mean, finless is supposed to be fastest but then Bonzers are fastest and well....
I think we can theorize all we like but at the end of the day, the most fun is in the act of experimentation and its where some absolute gems have happened, by sheer accident... aka Vbowls... and you can laugh at the failures with the benefit of having an excuse for looking like a kook...
And speaking of experiments...
This crazy flex tail thingy 
I hear flex tails go unreal... I know Kev was a big fan and the big fella surfed better than most... Wherever you are Kev 
Select to expand quotesaltyheaven said..
Nice one.
Where's that Parmenter quote from SP? I'd be interested to read it in context.
p.s. Andy, in a world where style on the wave is the thing that matters above all else, you're anything but boring to watch. I personally couldn't care less how many times someone hits the lip or how much spray they throw, if they've got no flow or have some horrendous poo stance that's not good surfing by my criteria.
Sorry mate don't remember where it came from.
Select to expand quotetermite said..
My take on a Tac scorpion but a bit flatter and thinner
Heya, is that a self shaped?
Looks preeetty sweet 
www.trueames.com/blogs/true-ames-fins/case-study-02-liddle-surfboards-kirk-putnam-by-daydream-surf-shop
Nice looking board Termite.
Select to expand quoteSP said..
www.trueames.com/blogs/true-ames-fins/case-study-02-liddle-surfboards-kirk-putnam-by-daydream-surf-shop
Nice looking board Termite.
Real nice share SP... Some great clips and discussion and stories
This ones pretty good too...
His opinions on Fins is pretty interesting too, specific made fins to suit the board and rider...
Although I've been around surfing for a looong time I've never really gone in depth into the reasons why something works on a board..
..but one thing I found one this 8' Tolly hull was that it was as loose as a goose with this 12" flexy fin..I tried a similar fin but smaller at about 8" but it didn't do the do the way the 12 did..another one I'd wished I kept.
Select to expand quotetermite said..
My take on a Tac scorpion but a bit flatter and thinner
AndyrooMac said..
Heya, is that a self shaped?
Looks preeetty sweet
Yes Andy shaped by me so probably should be in an asymmetrical thread.
Lots of fun to ride. The resin tint was done with epoxy in dead winter so I could get it sorted before it ended in a sticky mess.
Select to expand quotesurfbroker said..
Although I've been around surfing for a looong time I've never really gone in depth into the reasons why something works on a board....but one thing I found one this 8' Tolly hull was that it was as loose as a goose with this 12" flexy fin..I tried a similar fin but smaller at about 8" but it didn't do the do the way the 12 did..another one I'd wished I kept.
Real nice board... makes sense though as it seems these Displacement Hulls like a longer fin with plenty of flex and narrower base...
Select to expand quotetermite said..termite said..
My take on a Tac scorpion but a bit flatter and thinner
AndyrooMac said..
Heya, is that a self shaped?
Looks preeetty sweet
Yes Andy shaped by me so probably should be in an asymmetrical thread.
Lots of fun to ride. The resin tint was done with epoxy in dead winter so I could get it sorted before it ended in a sticky mess.
Cracker board dude, super envious and huge admiration for those that can shape there own stuff... getting there though... hopefully my first is not too far away.
Anyone ridden one of these?
Its called a Powerblade... I Know Salty has one on order and keen to try...
Looks like maybe less drive with the narrow base but the blade is designed to flex and turn and drive through and out of turns... Andreini is a big advocate and he knows his stuff...
The Power Blade, another original George Greenough design, was created with the intention of pushing the boundaries of the modern-day single fin surfboard. Through meticulous material selection, endless hours of testing, design revisions, and a uniquely constructed flex pattern, the Power Blade now has the potential of rivaling the performance characteristics of the thruster.
Here, Marc Andreini summarizes the Power Blade's function... "Although the thruster took surfing to a higher performance level (following single fins) with more speed and quicker responsiveness, we lost a lot of flow, trim, deep bottom turning and down the line style that went with single fin style surfing. Now we can take that style, and up the performance to match the speed and virility of the postmodern board without sacrificing the flow.
"The most important design aspect of the Power Blade lies within its ability to flex and 'twist off' at the 'head' of the fin. This attribute provides variable-tow, similar to how a thruster works, which allows the tail of the board to follow the nose and in turn produces drive. In some ways it acts like a fish tail, flexing and twisting back and forth creating propulsion based on direction and angle of attack. The narrow base permits for an extremely minimal amount of water pressure resistance, allowing for a significant amount of response, speed, and maneuverability within a single fin.
The main challenge in successfully producing this design, came through the need to retain a very stiff and extremely strong 'leg' in order to support all the load on the 'head.' Through extensive research and testing we finally landed on an extremely unique lay-up combination of high-density epoxy and fiberglass materials that met the qualifications without suffering fatigue. Our Power Blade fins meet 3 different demanding requirements within a singular fin. stiffness where needed, flex, and the ability to twist.
Find more information from Andreini here regarding performance characteristics of the Power Blade.
Yep, similar.
The one I had wasn't a super narrow base, different shape but with the twisting head idea that loads up, flex and springs back through turns theory.
It was called a football fin.
Select to expand quoteSP said..
Yep, similar.
The one I had wasn't a super narrow base, different shape but with the twisting head idea that loads up, flex and springs back through turns theory.
It was called a football fin.
Good or ****e?
Select to expand quoteSP said..saltyheaven said..
Nice one.
Where's that Parmenter quote from SP? I'd be interested to read it in context.
p.s. Andy, in a world where style on the wave is the thing that matters above all else, you're anything but boring to watch. I personally couldn't care less how many times someone hits the lip or how much spray they throw, if they've got no flow or have some horrendous poo stance that's not good surfing by my criteria.
Sorry mate don't remember where it came from.
There's a version of it at the end of his answer to question 4, here:
michaelkew.com/dispatches/2014/09/catching-up-with-dave-parmenter.html
Thanks McGuane, and SP as well.
Can't say I'm really any more enlightened by that context but I appreciate the link all the same.
There's a Parmenter article in TSJ 25.1 'Must we Burn the Single Blade' which is a worthy read for anyone wanting a pro single fin perspective. You gots to pay though I'm afraid... www.surfersjournal.com/product/must-we-burn-the-single-blade/
Speaking of Michael Kew, I've returned to this little piece of wisdom a few times over the last couple of years...
michaelkew.com/dispatches/2015/8/4/quiver-qualm-celebrate-the-one-board-epoch
Select to expand quoteAndyrooMac said..SP said..
Yep, similar.
The one I had wasn't a super narrow base, different shape but with the twisting head idea that loads up, flex and springs back through turns theory.
It was called a football fin.
Good or ****e?
I used it for a while, wasn't great, wasn't terrible had its moments but it's sat in my fin box unused for 15 years so that probably says it all.
That's some awesome marketing spiel you posted, I'd say like all fins some will love it, some will hate it. Personal preference in the end.
Select to expand quoteSP said..AndyrooMac said..SP said..
Yep, similar.
The one I had wasn't a super narrow base, different shape but with the twisting head idea that loads up, flex and springs back through turns theory.
It was called a football fin.
Good or ****e?
I used it for a while, wasn't great, wasn't terrible had its moments but it's sat in my fin box unused for 15 years so that probably says it all.
That's some awesome marketing spiel you posted, I'd say like all fins some will love it, some will hate it. Personal preference in the end.
I'm more curious than anything... but not that curious that i'm dropping $$$ to try one...
I'm not really a fin collector, I find one fin that works nice then set and forget... Maybe thats a ability (lack of) thing though.
Select to expand quoteAndyrooMac said..SP said..AndyrooMac said..SP said..
Yep, similar.
The one I had wasn't a super narrow base, different shape but with the twisting head idea that loads up, flex and springs back through turns theory.
It was called a football fin.
Good or ****e?
I used it for a while, wasn't great, wasn't terrible had its moments but it's sat in my fin box unused for 15 years so that probably says it all.
That's some awesome marketing spiel you posted, I'd say like all fins some will love it, some will hate it. Personal preference in the end.
I'm more curious than anything... but not that curious that i'm dropping $$$ to try one...
I'm not really a fin collector, I find one fin that works nice then set and forget... Maybe thats a ability (lack of) thing though.
Says its not true.
I cant you seriously now after reading that.
Select to expand quotesaltyheaven said..
Thanks McGuane, and SP as well.
Can't say I'm really any more enlightened by that context but I appreciate the link all the same.
There's a Parmenter article in TSJ 25.1 'Must we Burn the Single Blade' which is a worthy read for anyone wanting a pro single fin perspective. You gots to pay though I'm afraid... www.surfersjournal.com/product/must-we-burn-the-single-blade/
Speaking of Michael Kew, I've returned to this little piece of wisdom a few times over the last couple of years...
michaelkew.com/dispatches/2015/8/4/quiver-qualm-celebrate-the-one-board-epoch
That was a good read, SaltyHeaven. If you have only one board, you can't end up looking at the surf thinking, "I wish I'd brought the other one."
"Simplify, simplify," as Dave Parmenter (or maybe it was Thoreau) said. 
Select to expand quoteMacaha said..
Lacey has a room dedicated to fins,poor bugger still can't get it right.
Good enough for you to copy
Select to expand quotelaceys lane said..Macaha said..
Lacey has a room dedicated to fins,poor bugger still can't get it right.
Good enough for you to copy
Only took me 7 years
Select to expand quoteMacaha said..laceys lane said..Macaha said..
Lacey has a room dedicated to fins,poor bugger still can't get it right.
Good enough for you to copy
Only took me 7 years
I know. You just wanted to make sure
Proof my wife is stalking me but that she's equally awesome...
Soundtrack is a pretty nice listen the kids were into it
