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grantmac017
Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946
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Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 9:01 am Post subject: fin selection for onshore wave |
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I understand most go bigger on rig and fin. But do you also change fin design?
I normally sail enclosed side shore with short, sharp chop. We have an atypical westerly rolling through which opens up an area with a lot more fetch to build swell and I'd like to take advantage. |
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dllee
Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay
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Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 10:46 am Post subject: |
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If there's any angle at all, use your bump n jump fin, typically a Freewave 11"er for 160 lbs'ers.
If it's dead onshore, go short pointer, like a 12" wider chord old style slalom fin and a fast bump n jump board that float's you. |
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grantmac017
Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946
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Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 11:52 am Post subject: |
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200# brought my 106L FSW. I'm still working on not being so back footed with smaller fins. I've got a 32cm free move that I can spin at will and a 36cm pointer that hooks up really well. Thinking of that second fin for today, it's less turny but I'd rather have something I can push on.
Wind should be dead on shore 25-35. |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: fin selection for onshore wave |
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grantmac017 wrote: | I understand most go bigger on rig and fin. But do you also change fin design? |
Much depends on your sailing style and objectives. Getting upwind and away from the shore is mandatory, and favors a straighter fin than a sideshore wave fin. If you're just chop blasting and don't maneuver a lot, a straight fin is fine. The more frequent and aggressive your maneuvering, the more curve you want in the fin ... such as an "onshore wave" fin, which emerges from the board fairly straight before sweeping aft to aid maneuverability and tracking in sharp turns and rough water. A B&J fin fits in between those choices, a sideshore wave may cost you too much upwind drive to escape the shorepound.
I keep surprising myself how big a fin can be (for getting and staying upwind) before it starts interfering with extremely sharp slashing, as long as it has a small, swept tip. Roll damping, which makes quick rail-to-rail transitions sluggish, increases very rapidly with fin length and tip area and to a lesser but still noticeable degree with fin stiffness. If you don't have access to used fins for experimenting inexpensively, borrow some. The effects are usually pretty obvious pretty quickly. |
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westender
Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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Personally I've never understood the need for a swept fin for turning?? My straight narrow fins have never let me down. Get a good one. Turn on a dime. |
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grantmac017
Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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Didn't actually manage to get out past what was a pretty viscous shore break. However I retired to a bit more sheltered spot which was still onshore but with less fetch and deeper right off shore for a nice 1.5 hours of very powered up sailing.
Took the 36cm pointer and ultimately that was the better fin. It will likely get a lot of use on that board since it let me crank into turns without worrying about spinout. Also landing hops was less critical. Didn't notice any reduction in carving since I could really dig unlike the other fin.
I'm battling the issue of my booties getting stuck in the straps on this particular board so that is my next item to address. |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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I HATE f-ing booties. Can't FIND the straps, can't FEEL them when I need to, and can't get OUT of them in a hurry with 100% reliability, but they beat the alternative (not sailing) until they cause an injury. |
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sailwave
Joined: 11 May 2000 Posts: 113 Location: Redwood City, CA
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Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:50 am Post subject: |
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westender wrote: | Personally I've never understood the need for a swept fin for turning?? My straight narrow fins have never let me down. Get a good one. Turn on a dime. |
Ya, I know what you mean. I think it only matters on a wave face when going rail to rail quickly. If you crank the rail deep you will turn just fine and tight. I have a low wind wide 150l board with a 53cm fin and even it cranks a tight turn on a plane if I push it. |
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grantmac017
Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946
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Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:03 am Post subject: |
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isobars wrote: | I HATE f-ing booties. Can't FIND the straps, can't FEEL them when I need to, and can't get OUT of them in a hurry with 100% reliability, but they beat the alternative (not sailing) until they cause an injury. |
So what is your bootie preference? I believe we both have fairly large feet.... |
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dllee
Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay
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Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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Wear booties that are slick on the bottom from lots of use, never wear new booties if you are used to bare feet.
If you can't tell the difference in turning between pointer and wave fins, then just use what you want and need.
Not too much "rail to rail" in onshore wave conditions. |
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