Fin too big ?

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

i think isobars may have a point
rather than changing things - learn to work with them
if i am not mistaken , Ittiandro has changed his board five times since 2009
SB RIO 195 -> Rocket 145 -> BIC 293 -> Mistral Competition -> BIC WindSUP
that's almost once a year
as he says ... this WindSUP is "better than any shortboard yet"
then make the $10 change U2U2U2 offers ... or learn to ride it

these changes apply not only to Franco's boards, but also to his sails
the SailWorks sail is just a sample
on other sails, the battens were shortened (?huh?)

too many changes just confuses the issue

this post went from "fins too big"
to "is my boom too low"
to ittiandro's WindSUP Smile

Brian.bigfella@gmail.com · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 127

If you aren't planing the only way a fin can really be too big is if it's dragging on the bottom. Yes, bigger/more fins will create drag, but if you cruising along at a happy 5 knots, who cares?

Once the board starts planing it's a whole different ball game. The fins at that point aren't just providing stability and pointing ability. They provide lift, which is why race boards have the straps WAY on the outside rail, so that you can hold down the fin. The faster you go, the more lift you have. The advantages of a longer fin is they give you a platform to work against to get on a plane and the can go much further up wind.

One of the worst wipeouts I ever had was when I went out from the Event Site on a 95cm lightwind board with a 70cm formula fin in 13-16. I went up to the Hook and started back and the wind came up. On my last reach back into the Event Site my fin decided to show my 280 pounds who was boss and launched me right into my boom. How much force does it take to snap a carbon boom clean in half? Whatever force 280 pounds going 30mph is does it.

My fin was too big, I was holding down an 8.5 fine.

If you aren't doing things that a mentally deficient person does (like I do) you'll probably never have "too much fin". Your fin will become uncomfortable before it decides you're going to fast. If you aren't planing a larger fin will give you more pointing ability with the drawback of limiting you to deep water.

I like the centerboard and thrusters. That would allow you to take the board out in waves easy with onshore wind and then have fun on the waves. The only drawback is extra drag, and that doesn't sound like an issue. Stick with your current setup.

That's my attempt to tie this all together.

ittiandro · Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Posts: 294

U2U2U2 · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 4:53 pm Post subject:

Series II of winged fins, used to have a slot where the carbon is,
Wing and winglets cut. Need further shape then attached to the fin.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 10:25 am Post subject:

http://www.windance.com/FCS-M3-Green-Flex-Tri-Set-SM.-SUSF00010/

U2U2U2 · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2016 4:13 pm Post subject:

Another way to bake the cake

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

yeah, but can it do this ?? Confused

U2U2U2 · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2016 5:05 pm Post subject:

The difference between a FIN and a foil

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

i know, but your fin looks "foilish" Smile

first time I have seen that !!

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

Gary, I love that you take chances. No one can't say that you don't push the envelope, and you've got the goods to prove it.

Another guy, Wolfgang Lessacher, thinks out of the box. Actually, some years ago, Wolfgang was adding horizontal foils to windsurfing fins, to include holes in the nose of boards to channel air flow and reduce nose lift.

Today, I used a Lessacher 28cm asymmetrical carbon Duo Weed fin on my Mike's Lab at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara. With my 7.0 Sailworks Retro, I was styling through the weeds like they weren't there. Lessacher's weedfins are incredible, and nothing is lighter. Super trick fins like no one else.