Board advice for 95 L Bump and Jump

J64TWB · Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Posts: 1685

Which side of lake Michigan do you sail? Which wind directions and your weight?

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 9:07 pm Post subject:

3S 236/61
RRD 230/62
Cross 245/63. EDIT ::240/61.5 is correct .
Simmer 234/63

I would consider the planing flat on each, and the nose and tail width.

The Cross being longest would be closest to the Flow, which would be long and narrow .

Arrgh · Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio

Correction: the Cross 94 is 240/60.5. You were looking at the 104.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 10:45 am Post subject:

dhmark · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 376

So I don't sail waves (tight turns on swell occasionally), but Simmer states that tri-fin "adds control in choppy conditions...more controlled ride in overpowered conditions." If just for that, one appeal of Simmer might be extended range of use so that I would get to use the board across broad range of wind. Since it is a bit wider than the others (63 cm) I might get to use it in slightly less wind, and then switching to tri-fin keeps it under control with overpowered 5.0 and lower. Price is very good on this board, and Windance says factory in Vietnam makes very good product.

Arrgh · Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio

Nothing beats the Tabou for smooth comfort and control in chop. RRD would be my first choice for swell. Based on currently owning 2015 Tabou 3S 96 CED and 2017 RRD Firemove 100 LTD - 68cm wide and jibes effortlessly - plus smoother than the 2010 Cross III 104 it replaced. One possible downside to Simmer is US box ???

-68 years old with bad knees, bad back, occasionally bad attitude. Cool

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:02 pm Post subject:

The tri fin, will have approximately.5 more fin area total than the single fin.
It pivots off the longer center fin, with support from the sides, that help with control .

The companies description , is advertising the product to a degree.

I see more a plus for a USBox on this size board, its adjustment alone over a powerbox .

Nothing beats the Tabou , several Naish boards have and for sure My Witchcraft .

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Tri fin good, more solid on landings and holds in more predictabally on hard turns in sketchy conditions. Keep sides small and somewhat straight, and rocker at b&j.

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

I thought that I would offer a perspective. All my boards are custom boards, but for many years I have owned a number of Open Ocean Tri-Fins, to include an OO single fin in 1992. Regarding the Tri-Fins (4 total), all were 80 liters or under, but you're right, OOs are super easy to control and can handle rough water very comfortably. Yet, the thing about OOs is that their design is based on a standard single fin (8.75" in my case) with the very canted small side fins. Definitely old school in today's realm of mini-fin concepts (tri and quads), but still very capable.

But, to the focus of my thoughts, you really need to think about what you already like.

I'll go back to my surfing days to make my point. I started surfing in 1963, and for many years I based my style and approach to the sport on single fin boards. When small tri-fins came about, I found that they just didn't work well for me. I really liked the drive of a large fin. They definitely don't slide and break loose as easy.

Given your B&J focus in Lake Michigan, I would recommend a board that could be set up with a standard sized center fin, whether that was based on a US style or a cavity box. The use of optional smaller side fins gives you added options, should you want to go there.

Now, in a true wave sailing venue, the popular smaller fin tri and quad configurations unquestionably offer a lot of unique performance characteristics.

Much depends on your focus and style.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

Isthmus has some nice boards at a great price right now.