Quatro 81 twin fin

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

Mike...
I've known Dunc and Mal since '71, and rode some of their boards since '73.
I was being ficitious about the center fin, as I know about his side fin evolutions since then and on Les's boards.
Remember, I was a surfer for years before windsurfing, and a shaper in the area.

gerritt · Joined: 06 May 1998 Posts: 632 Location: Redwood City, CA

And "Quads, trifin etc don't seem to work on a WSboard, because the smaller fins don't and can't support the higher speeds of WSboards compared to Sboards" has what to do with DTL wave sailing?

Attitude of your response to Arnie's attempt to provide helpful relevant information and why you can't seem to find a real wave to ride. If you don't understand, you never will.

windoggi · Joined: 22 Feb 2002 Posts: 2743

As the old Gorge bumper sticker once said...Attitude is Everything. A bit aged, but still true.

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

I wonder if anyone besides maybe HIFLY has experimented with similar shaped single vs twin finned, and variable fin sizing of course too....
Seems WS mag suggested some of the twin fin HF's are pretty fast....JOSH, where are you?
As an ex shaper of surfboards, it'd be interesting.
I had twin fin 9' gun surfboards for big OceanBeach and Wiamea/Sunset. They seemed similar in speed to my single fins.
Some of my twin fins designed for +7' waves were plenty fast to make anything out there.
Design difs were straighter set side fins, slightly longer side fins, flatter rail lines at the backfoot, and usually deepV's back foot thru the tail.
The rail fins offset the flatter rockers for turning, and dropping in stall are compensatedf with slightly wider tails, which side fins can support.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

gerritt · Joined: 06 May 1998 Posts: 632 Location: Redwood City, CA

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

I've never tried a twin fin, but I've been using Open Ocean tri-fins with a lot of success since 1996. What's of real value is noting how the total package works in its medium. Really, that's the true bottom line.

No doubt, the twin fin concept is seeing a lot of interest these days, and who knows, it could be key in the upcoming design concepts we'll see in the near future. I'm sure that fin designer/manufacturers are stoked with the trend.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:12 am Post subject:

The Twin fin wave boards from what I have read and seen in events
work really well in some environments, most PWA sailors still use both, depends on conditions.
So yes, I think the board companies may have a hit here, (from a sales view) cause you would need 2 boards to cover now . The interest is very high.

I haven't seen any real advantage in B & J or high wind for these, just waves.

Plenty of European tests already out would substantiate that.

The Mistral seems to have the upper hand, but have yet to see the Tabou DaCurve Twin tested.

SWE106 · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 264 Location: San Mateo

Isobar: why don't you answer Derek's question? I did, if you can't then please go to another forum that you can f'up, 'cause that's all you do. Nobody is interested in what you write if it isn't helping to answer the original question posted. I included some opinion about the previously mentioned quads, trifins by another author. That opinion is based on conversations I've had with some VERY influential shapers. You're certainly not one of them.

Gerrit pointed correctly out my wording "don't seem to work", because with the current board and fin shaping knowledge those type of boards are inferior to either single and twin. If they would be superior, every pro would be on them. They are not! As shaping evolves and knowledge increases, quads/trifins etc may become the standard. Nobody knows for now. Certainly you don't.

In general, reflecting on some previous author's:

Twinfins work very well in MANY conditions. From mushy onshore to masthigh sideshore, from underpowered to overpowered; these boards do it all, and better than singlefins. Twinfin boards are WAVE boards, so use 'em for what they are made for.

There is nothing wrong with singlefins all of a sudden. Twinfins allow you to sail the same wave differently: different lines, different style, more surfy, more skaty, easier.

Pro's carry around MANY boards, it's part of their job. You can't compare us more average joe's with them: we need to pick 1 or 2. Based on experience I'd pick a twinfin.

Swchwandler: The "forward nature of my fins" is because I have my rear strap all the way in the back. Being 6'5", I need a wide stance (my front straps are all the way forward). The fins could be moved max 1.5cm more back -which would be all the way in the back (see attached picture)- but that would make the board too directional. The more forward position of the fins on a twinfin is the nature of the board, allowing for insane grip in turns. However, the leading edge of my fins are still positioned under the center of my rear strap, which is where you want your fins, even a singlefin.