Fanatic Freewave 96TE Fins

shamran · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 23

I just bought myself a new Fanatic Freewave 96TE. I was lucky and were able to test it out right away on a rare warm and windy day during Chicago winter. I used it with 4.7 on a small flatwater lake. I really like it a lot. It was first time I ever used a thruster board. It behaves so well, I haven't really noticed many differences between sailing this board and a single fin board.

Some reviews mentioned that different set of fins might make a great board even better. It comes with MFC fins (19cm/12cm). MFC recommends additional set for winds over 25 knots (18cm/11) or single 25cm fin.

Black project fins recommends 17.5cm/11.5cm or 28 single fin.

I really like it with the stock fins but I can't stop wondering what the difference would be with another set of fins. Has anybody tried it? What was your experience?

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 9:26 pm Post subject:

K4 , are a composite plastic, they offer several styles, AT very affordable prices.

See below and order from 4Boards

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

What type of sailing do you do? I have tried their 86 version. Did it come with blanks? Do you have any single fins that you can use? Can you change positions? What would you like to improve?

wdsurf · Joined: 22 May 1999 Posts: 335

Super you bought a tri fin.i have quatro sphere boards 115 and 85 love the MFC tri fins use the fins that came with boards.115,4.5 to 6.0 20 center 10 sides,85,3.5 to 5.0 18 center 10 sides.move the center fin forward in overpowered 3.5 sometimes.i K.I.S.S. Love these boards sail on Great Lakes also.lake Erie.just came in from 5.0 session on the 115 65 degrees!

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 6:53 pm Post subject:

Part of the beauty of 3 fins is the fins cover a broader range of sails.
Part of the problem with fins that come with the board is they can almost always be improved on.

The great part is how many different feels you can achieve using different SIZE fins. The 2+1 setup that came with, rx 19 center n 11 side forward fins will as you reflect feel rather like a single, hopefully it turns better and sticks to the water.
To make it looser, so TWIN like, use 3 fins that are closer in size, with this it will turn tighter. Rx all fins 13.5

Black Project Fins, Maui Ultra Fins are premium fins.
K4 are still the only company to offer Ezzy signature fins that offer toe in ,hailed by some others say they create too much drag for the advantageous.

You could just purchase a smaller center fin to compensate for hi wind .

The size that others use unless it the same board , sailor is the same weight and sails along you , USE as a guide, they are not written in stone

shamran · Joined: 21 Mar 2010 Posts: 23

U2U2U2 · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 11:06 pm Post subject:

skyking1231 · Joined: 10 Jul 2000 Posts: 280

i'll throw my 2cents into the ring....

i have 2013 96TE fanatic...i sail it with 20 center and 11 sides.

one thing i noticed is that the maui fins felt very draggy. I went with makini which has a thinner porfile or thickness. Sailing with the makini fins feels like i am sailing single fin....where as the Maui fins, i can tell i am dragging three fins. Big improvement when tri-fin mode.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 10:55 am Post subject:

The after market FINs, are to me like
Tires
You use the ones that came on the vechile when you purchased it, most people on replacement will opt for a different tire, read better, as in more mileage and handing character, most do not all, some people as long as it's black and fits on the wheel.

The above post is a reflection that is similar to mine.
I have Makani fins, some are great, in particular the weed fins.they have some that are truly innovative .

My general rule is if the setup feels good on the water, then stay with it.

some fins are going to provide better upwind , some turn better, it's always a compromise till you find the sweet spot. Which is size and brand....

wdsurf · Joined: 22 May 1999 Posts: 335

that bullshit what people think about tires that come on vehicles new is crap.my first set on my 2002 gmc 3500 went 70,000 miles,the second set of the same tire went 77,000 now I,m on my third set at 168,000.same with fins buy what you want to try.some times you like em some times you don,t.what I like might not be for you.i,ve Bought other fins on recommendations of them and they SUCKED Exclamation

some of these companies try to compete with the big boys friggin fins won,t even fit in the respective fin boxes Question

MFC and BRIDGESTONE gotta be loyal don,t you Question