How to Choose the Best Surfboard Fins
31. Dec, 2009 
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There are many types of surfboard fin systems to choose from. Choosing the one that you want is an important part of choosing your surfboard. Fin characteristics as well as the brand of fin system are to be considered.
Most surfboards today come with the removable, as opposed to glassed-in, type of fin. Most brands do not have cross compatible boxes. Boxes are the devices that hold the fin on the surfboard. This makes it important to choose the system you want, as it affects all your future fin choices for that surfboard.
First, consider these fin characteristics:
- Depth – The maximum height of a fin as measured from the bottom surface of the board. This shows how far the fin goes in the water. The hold of the surfboard increases with more depth but generally makes it harder to turn as well. 3-4 inch depth is standard on tri-fins and longboard single fins typically have a depth of nine inches.
- Template – The fin outline.
- Base – The length of the fin where it joins the surfboard. Increasing length adds forward drive, but makes it harder to turn. Shortboard tri-fins usually have a 3.5-4.5 inch base, longboard single fins are about 6 inches.
- Foil – The horizontal curve of the fin, measured from the front edge to trailing edge.
- Rake – The distance between the trailing edge of the fin base and the fin tip. This is the swept back characteristic of the fin. Increasing rake increases traction.
- Tip – The top third of the fin. More tip means more hold.
- Flex – Stiff fins are faster but flexible fins are easier to turn.
Second, consider the brands of surfboard fins available:
- FCS – These fins are the most widely used surfboard fins in the world. The great things about FCS fins are the huge variety and the availability. You can almost always find a replacement at the nearest surf shop. Since FCS is the most common fin system, most surfboards come with that type of fin box. FCS makes a huge selection of fins. For fins with a softer edge try Pro-Tech. The are compatible with the FCS boxes. Installation is with a simple allen (hex) key.
- Future – Probably the second most popular fin system in the US. They have some of the lightest fin boxes around, weighing in at about 26 grams/box. There are fins system for just about any type of surfboard out there. In particular, Future fins has an excellent selection of of Quad fins. There are also plenty of foils to choose from such as Vector, Vector 2, and the Scimitar. Future fins also install with a simple allen key.
- Lokbox – These surfboard fins have one significant advantage over most other fin systems; they are adjustable. You can slide them forward and back to find the sweet spot for you. They are easily adjusted with a slotted screwdriver.
- O’Fish’L – This is a snap in fin system. For those that love to experiment, this might be the fin system for you. You could even slap some fins in your boardshorts and change them in the water.
- 4WFS – The “Four Way Fin System”. Four ways as in forward/back, cant/flair, toe-in/toe-out, or an entire fin replacement. The only problem with this system is there are so many choices you might go crazy tweaking just one set of fins.
If your having a surfboard custom shaped for you, another consideration is the type of fin system the shaper has worked with before. It might be better to go with one he or she knows well rather than risk an incorrect installation of an unfamiliar one.
With so many choices of fins/companies available, you shouldn’t have a problem finding something close to what you want. Study the different brands. They should have descriptions of the type of surf particular fins work best in. They usually have charts available for recommended weights of riders as well.
Once you have a system you like, it’s nice if all your surfboards use those types of fins. It makes it easier and cheaper to build a decent collection of fins that you can swap around and enjoy. Visit Surfing-Gear.net to learn more about surfboard fins and find great deals on your next set.
Chris runs Surfing Gear, an online surf guide and surf shop. Also visit California Surfing, a website dedicated to all things related to surfing California.
Orca 12′ Standup Paddleboard
$895.00
Our Orca Stand-up Paddlefish is the largest in the school. At 12ft, it literally catches everything ensuring that youll be in command of any surf break. The twin longboard fins make sure that the board is very stable when standing at rest yet surprisingly easy to turn while surfing. Kaito-San says please be generous and allow other surfers catch some waves too. Includes 2 removable 8″ longboard-style fins (paddle not included).
We highly recommend the optional Orca Traction Pad – this pad cushions your feet and also eliminates the need for wax. You’ll receive $30 off if you buy the traction pad together with the Orca.
Glassing: 6oz+6oz+6oz deck / 6oz+6oz+6oz bottom with Excel EPS blank. Dimensions are 12′ x 27″ x 4.75″.
Habitat Molinar Tailwind Deck
Raymond Molinar is a dope skater and an amazing Polaroid photographer. Raymonds signature Habitat deck consists of crosslaminated seven-ply Canadian Maple for strength and snap, and the graphics pop like bubblewrap.Product FeaturesDeck Materials: Canadian MapleLength: 31.4in (79.75cm) Width: 7.5in (19.05cm) Concave: Recommended Use: Street skatingManufacturer Warranty:
Liquid Force Custom Wake Surfer
The Custom and the Thruster and consistantly being called the best wake surfers on the market. Ride one once and you’ll instantly become a fan. Smiles are never ending as you’ll continue to improve each time you drop in on your wake.
“The Flyin’ Fish” – 6′ Quad Fin Hybrid Fish
$365.00
The Flyin’ Fish Epoxy QUAD hybrid fish surfboard… Wide, Stable, and Fast. If you’re looking for speed down the line in small to head high surf then keep reading.One of the biggest transitions on the ASP tour (main pro surfing tour) is the move from traditional thruster fin setups (3 fin) to quad fin setups.Our quad fish surfboard is a one of the best hybrid fish surfboard designs out there. The nose is pulled back giving it a wider nose template for easy wave catching and with 4 fins the speed you will generate down the line will allow you to rip even on mushy waves.Add Epoxy EPS construction to the mix and you have a surfboard you can’t pass up…Epoxy construction makes this fish surfboard lighter and stronger than a traditional glass construction fish. This makes the surfboard float better, paddle better and virtually indestructible (it’s not really indestructible but pretty close).The quad hybrid fish surfboard is perfect for the intermediate surfer, or someone who wants to move from a long board down to a short board.It will allow you to perform the turns and cutbacks that a short board will, and at the same time it will still be thick enough to float you well and paddle easily. If you’re looking for a small wave short board this is the one. It has a little wider template for wave catching, and with 4 fins, when you stand up… hold on, this board flys down the line.
Surftech Nose Traction Pad for Stand Up Paddleboards
$36.00
Adhesive traction pad for nose of stand up paddleboard
Beluga 5′10″ Quad Fin Round Nose Fish Surfboard (Epoxy)
$535.00
Our 5′10″ Quad Fin Epoxy Beluga is the perfect combination of paddling ease and performance. It’s short length makes it very maneuverable while it’s width, thickness and extra volume up front makes it a wave catching machine! Wait till you see the surprised look on the longboarders when you catch a wave that they miss. We recommend this board for advance surfers or intermediates who want to drop down to a smaller board but still want to catch lots of waves. The quad fin setup makes it very versatile and allows you to progress your surfing even more. When you first start out, put the larger pair of fins on the back towards the tail. This will keep it more stable. Once you have the board dialed up, move the larger fins to the front and you’ll feel like you’re riding a whole new, more maneuvarable board!
“The Flyin’ Fish” – 6′4″ Quad Fin Hybrid Fish
$375.00
The Flyin’ Fish Epoxy QUAD hybrid fish surfboard… Wide, Stable, and Fast. If you’re looking for speed down the line in small to head high surf then keep reading.One of the biggest transitions on the ASP tour (main pro surfing tour) is the move from traditional thruster fin setups (3 fin) to quad fin setups.Our quad fish surfboard is a one of the best hybrid fish surfboard designs out there. The nose is pulled back giving it a wider nose template for easy wave catching and with 4 fins the speed you will generate down the line will allow you to rip even on mushy waves.Add Epoxy EPS construction to the mix and you have a surfboard you can’t pass up…Epoxy construction makes this fish surfboard lighter and stronger than a traditional glass construction fish. This makes the surfboard float better, paddle better and virtually indestructible (it’s not really indestructible but pretty close).The quad hybrid fish surfboard is perfect for the intermediate surfer, or someone who wants to move from a long board down to a short board.It will allow you to perform the turns and cutbacks that a short board will, and at the same time it will still be thick enough to float you well and paddle easily. If you’re looking for a small wave short board this is the one. It has a little wider template for wave catching, and with 4 fins, when you stand up… hold on, this board flys down the line.
Manta 5′11″ Performance Fish
$525.00
The perfect combination between a modern quad-fin shortboard and a fish, our sleek 511 Manta gives riders just enough flotation to keep paddle speed up, while offering performance rails that enable snappy, pivotal turns. A quad fin setup and small wings make sure that your tail will stay under control during a precision tube ride.
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