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rangerider
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 206
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Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 10:22 pm Post subject: New fin - waste of money? |
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I have a JP X-Cite ride 145L board (76cm width) that I use with my Ezzy Lion 9.5M on lower wind days- last year I used the 48cm freeride fin which came with the board and it worked reasonably well. True Ames makes a sweeper fin in 54cm for power box which per their website is ideal for 7.5-9.5 which are the two sails I will be using this summer. Anyone think this will improve my light-wind planing or will the difference be negligible? Also, can a powerbox really handle that long of a fin without damage?
I was also thinking I might be able to get a bit more upwind in marginal planing conditions.
For lower wind I have two longboards and am considering picking up a Formula board so I have other options but if the longer fin would help I might hold off on Formula for awhile.
Thanks for the input |
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swchandler
Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 3:46 am Post subject: |
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rangerider,
I'd be surprised if you don't get more upwind drive with the larger fin. Still though, a lot depends on the fin's outline and flex characteristics. I'm not familiar with the TA Sweeper, but when I bumped up from a 46cm Tectonics Spitfire to a 50cm Tectonics Mirage, I noticed a marked improvement, both in early planing and upwind drive. The sails I was using were in the 8.1-8.3 range.
Regarding the use of 54cm fin with a Powerbox base, it could be viewed as pushing the margin a bit. Usually, at that length, Deep Tuttle bases are pretty much the call. Just to be careful, it would be wise to keep an eye on the finbox for hairline cracks. |
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d0uglass
Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1286 Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:18 am Post subject: |
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Measure the width of the board where the back footstraps are- about one foot from the tail.
It's generally counterproductive to use a fin length in excess of that width.
My hunch is that you're not going to want to exceed ~50 cm. _________________ James' Blog: Windsurfing Equipment Size Calculator
http://jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2010/11/updated-windsurf-calculator-online.html |
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3-phase
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 481
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U2U2U2
Joined: 06 Jul 2001 Posts: 5467 Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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without your weight its a guess... if you are around 175lbs, then
the area of the TA Sweeper 48cm is close to these:
Maui Ultra Fin, slalom 52cm
or Black Project Fins freeride at 47cm in length
the fin is very important in the whole rig performance, you will get more performance from a better one _________________ K4 fins
4Boards....May the fours be with you
http://www.k4fins.com/fins.html
http://4boards.co.uk/ |
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rangerider
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 206
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone. I weigh 175-180lbs. I haven't measured the board width under the straps and the board isn't here so I can't measure it now but I will the next time I'm at the lake.
U2U2 - The fin that came with the board looks to be of good quality but I don't have any way to judge - are you saying that these fins you suggest are necessarily "better" than the stock fin.
Jurg - I have looked at the Select fins and at your site - not sure what in the range would be suitable - there seems to be more there for slalom or formula than for a freeride board in the lengths I was looking for but I realize I'm trying to take a larger freeride board and make it work like a formula board so there is going to be a bit of a mismatch with some compromises - I have considered the slam XL in 53-55 cm but again I'm concerned about this length of fin with a power box.
I should also mention that I have a TA Blade Weed II 43cm with huge area but it doesn't seem to plane any earlier than the stock 48cm freeride fin - maybe this tells me that I'm planing as early as I can expect with this board/sail combo? |
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U2U2U2
Joined: 06 Jul 2001 Posts: 5467 Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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weed fins are designed to shed weeds as a primary purpose.
for everything else they lose out to slalom, pointers ,wave et all fins, because they are a compromise of character, I use them when necessary, expect some minus in turns
YES: those fins will be better than the Cobra produced fin that came with your board. please note that the newer fins from Cobra are quite acceptable , its just like the tires that came on your new car, acceptable, better ones exist.
if upwind is the primary goal, then a race/pointer is the way to go, a swept type like the TA sweeper will turn somewhat better, less a upwind weapon.
with our equipment its always a comprise of what you want MOST of. _________________ K4 fins
4Boards....May the fours be with you
http://www.k4fins.com/fins.html
http://4boards.co.uk/ |
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adywind
Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 665
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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You'll feel some improvement espatially for going higher upwind. Will it be worth the money? Depends how high your expectations are.
I have a JP SS 79 with a 50 cm stock pb race fin. I use it exclusively wit a 9.0 Retro. The combo gets planing around 10mph wind and starts tail walking around 18 mph. I am 170 lbs.I think a simmilar fin will work for you too and I don't adwise you going any bigger then this or you may get uncomfortable back leg pressure among other ills. |
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rangerider
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 206
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, for gybing I will be in stronger wind and then I think the stock 48cm freeride fin will be fine and probably get used more with the 7.5M sail.
For this new fin I am looking for better upwind and early planing if possible and not so concerned about ease of turning.
Adywind - thanks for the suggestion - maybe a 50-51 is all I need to notice an improvement rather than going 53-55. |
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adywind
Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 665
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Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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rangerider wrote: |
Adywind - thanks for the suggestion - maybe a 50-51 is all I need to notice an improvement rather than going 53-55. |
Get a race type one and don't worry, you'll be gybing just fine. |
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