Forums > Windsurfing General

Fin selection help please

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Created by Corkers > 9 months ago, 2 Jul 2018
Corkers
NSW, 154 posts
2 Jul 2018 5:52PM
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Hi all,
getting back into sailing after a couple of years out. Will just have a simple 1 board 1 sail rig but wondering if a couple of appropriate sized fins might optimise the set up. I got a 114 L free ride board and a 7.2 camless sail. I'm 90 kgs. My aim is to just blast and get some fast jybes going again. What 2 fin sizes would you people in the know recommend? I do have a Select SL7 39cm already

cheers

Tardy
5015 posts
2 Jul 2018 4:00PM
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42

Subsonic
WA, 3120 posts
2 Jul 2018 5:16PM
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You could go with Tardys suggestion, youll really truck upwind, eh tardy?

a more sensible solution would be a 36 or 38 if youre after an upright fin. Youre 39 is probably not too far wrong. Unless youre having issues, id stick with that.

joe windsurf
1480 posts
2 Jul 2018 7:15PM
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have you tried that combo ??
as others have said - sounds about right ...
i also use 40 cm fin with 7 meter sails
but length is only one aspect of a fin
your fin is slalom - perhaps you would like to try a slightly longer , more swept fin too
and yes, having more fins can help extend a one board/one sail quiver ...

Corkers
NSW, 154 posts
2 Jul 2018 10:12PM
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Select to expand quote
joe windsurf said..
have you tried that combo ??
as others have said - sounds about right ...
i also use 40 cm fin with 7 meter sails
but length is only one aspect of a fin
your fin is slalom - perhaps you would like to try a slightly longer , more swept fin too
and yes, having more fins can help extend a one board/one sail quiver ...


Yeah I have used it, it works fine when powered up and get good speed. Wondering if a slightly bigger fin might be worthwhile in lighter winds. By a more "swept" fin you mean more freeride orientated?

forceten
1312 posts
2 Jul 2018 11:13PM
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Corkers said..
Hi all,
getting back into sailing after a couple of years out. Will just have a simple 1 board 1 sail rig but wondering if a couple of appropriate sized fins might optimise the set up. I got a 114 L free ride board and a 7.2 camless sail. I'm 90 kgs. My aim is to just blast and get some fast jybes going again. What 2 fin sizes would you people in the know recommend? I do have a Select SL7 39cm already

cheers


The 39cm fin is good for the 7.2m. I think a larger size would not be by much, 42cm as said .
The smaller fin, would need to be SMALLER to handle the 7.2 when really windy, so 34cm would be my pick.

Using a small fin, will help with control issues when its windy, dont expect a miracle , as the board it self will be the the main factor. Considering your weight , the fin you have should be fine with the 7.2m . I would look for a used fin of not larger than 36-34.

Comment-114 and 7.2 are the smallest and largest , I would think useable for you. Understood keeping to 1 board 1 sail. At some point a smaller sail will be useful.

boardsurfr
WA, 2324 posts
3 Jul 2018 1:57AM
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Short answer: what Tardy says.

Long answer:
General advice that I've heard and seen (for example on James Douglas' gear calculator) is to go +2 cm in fin size for light wind, and -2 cm when really powered. From a PWA pro, I heard smaller differences - total fin size difference on the same board just 2 cm. But PWA pros usually change boards and sails up or down if the wind changes, and have 3 boards to use from. On my 110 l board which I mostly use for free riding, I sometimes go up 4 cm to plane in marginal conditions, and down 4 cm when well powered on flat water, for a total fin size range of 8 cm.
If you can try fins from sailing buddies, that would be best. Not all fins are created equal, and you may find one that works better for you.

Corkers
NSW, 154 posts
3 Jul 2018 8:58PM
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Thanks for all your input. Sounds like ideally a 36 and 40-42 would be useful ... and a 39 ha ha

Corkers
NSW, 154 posts
3 Jul 2018 9:14PM
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While we are on the topic of fins, what would be a good size weed fin for this setup? Do weed fins need to be a bit bigger than a regular fin?

RichardG
WA, 3749 posts
3 Jul 2018 8:59PM
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34 cm weed. This is the depth measurement but the actual fin length is greater hence you would go smaller in the weed fins.

https://mfchawaii.com/catalog/windsurf/windsurf-fins/weed-ride/

mfchawaii.com/catalog/windsurf/windsurf-fins/weed-burner/

forceten
1312 posts
3 Jul 2018 10:08PM
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The fin area could come in the weed fin equation. Richard G, response is good.
I dont much like weed fins, but I use them where necessary. I think a better quality one, helps, the parts I dont like.

If availabe Makani fins, from Canada do a nice job at a moderate price, but CNC Fins in Niorth Carolina are the bomb.

NordRoi
638 posts
4 Jul 2018 9:48PM
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Select to expand quote
forceten said..
The fin area could come in the weed fin equation. Richard G, response is good.
I dont much like weed fins, but I use them where necessary. I think a better quality one, helps, the parts I dont like.

If availabe Makani fins, from Canada do a nice job at a moderate price, but CNC Fins in Niorth Carolina are the bomb.


makani now has a tumble weed custom carbon for slalom and this is behond what i ever used before!! Serious weed lovers must considered that new fin from them!



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"Fin selection help please" started by Corkers