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Stand Up Paddle Center Fin Placement |
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By: Nate Burgoyne, Editor
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Friday, 11 April 2008 |
I was always kind of skeptical about the importance of fin placement on a stand up paddle surfboard, however, over the last year I've seen the light and I thought I'd share my thoughts on the the topic here in the Editor's Blog. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has stood there looking at the fin box with one eye closed hoping for some divine inspiration as to exactly where to place the center fin. Although, sometimes we get it just right, other times a little guidance could help.
I have been riding a 2+1 fin setup for ever, so that's really what t his applies to. By 2+1, I mean two smaller side fins and a longer center fin. The theory is that the side fins keep your board from slipping sideways down the face of the wave and also creates a pivot point for increased maneuverability. The center fin stabilizes the board, and controls how the water moves under the tail of the board. Since the tail of the surfboard both holds the board in the wave and contributes to the performance of the surfboard even the slightest changes can truly make a world of difference.
Unless your fins are all glassed on, you probably have the ability
to slide the center fin forward or back. Finding the sweet spot for
this center fin is what we're all looking for. As I mentioned before,
generally, when you move the center fin forward the board turns quicker
and when it's moved back, the board is more stable and rigid in it's
line of travel. When you have side fins on a board you need to take
into consideration their placement as well, when you decide where to
put your center fin.
I'm no expert on hydrodynamics but I do
know that when we ride waves, there is water moving from the front to
the back of the board as well as side to side. If there's too much
turbulence between all the fins, the board is going to feel stiff and
not perform as well as it could. There are three boards of different
shapes that I've been toying with fin placement on and I've found the
same results for each. I may change my opinion about it later but, this
is what I've come up with so far.
 Fin Totally
Forward: When I put the fin totally forward it usually overlaps, or
lines up right with, the rear of the side fins so that if I look at it
from the side, there is no space between them. Here's how this has
performed for me. This setup feels stiff to me, unless my feet are in
just the right spot. However, as soon as my feet find that spot, it
turns on a dime. In fact, it turns a little too much in my opinion,
almost so that the board almost spins out on me. Also, I'm not able to
carry the speed through the bottom turn on a larger wave when the fin
is extremely forward. It sort of feels like the board puts on the
brakes before making a super sharp turn. This is sweet for a small to
medium size wave, but on a big wave, I'm looking to carry the speed
through the bottom turn. On the topic of speed, it seems to me that the
board isn't quite as fast with the center fin all the way forward. My
guess is that when the larger center fin is clustered too close with
the side fins, it creates too much turbulence in a concentrated area,
slowing down the board. I have to mention along with that, that the
problem can probably be remedied by adding a smaller center fin and
some larger side fins. Infinity Surfboards has mastered this setup with
their "Cluster"
fin setup. I've ridden an Infinity longboardboard with the Cluster fin
setup and it's nice. Their boards were designed to have the fins
clustered together and they perform great. Hey, move the fin all the
way up on your board and see how it performs for you. It could be the
magic spot.
 Fin Far Back: With the fin far back, the
board is fast, stable and straight. I'll turn almost any board into a
straight shooter. This may ideal in a big, fast wave where you just
want to drop in and head straight down the racetrack. To turn the
board, you'll really have to get your weight back on the tail of the
board to sink it and redirect your momentum. Careful. My friends more
than once I have stepped right off the back of the board only to see
the tail of the board pop up and bruise me in the thigh...narrowing
escaping a castrating...I mean catastrophic incident. I have tail
blocks now and more importantly, I do all I can to intuitively know
where the board begins and ends.
 The Magic Medium:
so, far, every time, the magic spot has been where the leading edge of
the center fin is about 2 inches behind the trailing edge of the side
fins. I seems that the spacing allows enought room for the water to
flow around the fins so the board is fast in the straightaways, and is
far enought forward that the board can turn quickly and controlled. The
board maintains speed throught the turns and accelerates quickly when I
need it.
You're probably wondering what kind of fins I've been using. The side fins are Future Fins SB2 and for the center fins I was experimenting with were a Bonga "Da Fade" 8.0" and a Flex Fin 7.5", both by Island Fin Design.
We'll, that's my 2 cents on center fin placement. If anyone has found
the magic fin setup, let me know. I'd love to give it a shot. Happy
Surfing and Much Aloha.
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GEAR INSIGHTS 
March 09, 2011
70.154.16.51