Side fins

[Saturnx]

Hi there - been surfing the 12ft NFA mostly with the 10 inch fin which you kindly supplied me. I've never put the side fins in but tried them with the 8 inch Gong middle fin. I found that the board really felt way over finned. when I got home I looked at the side fins and found them to actually be thruster side fins FCS G-5. Was I given the right ones as these are kind of big! Thanks.

[MagW]

One more fin makes big difference.
Where did you put the fin in the USbox? Front, back or the middle? The more front - the better turning ability.
Test some different setups.

[Saturnx]

[quote="MagW"]One more fin makes big difference.
Where did you put the fin in the USbox? Front, back or the middle? The more front - the better turning ability.
Test some different setups.[/quote

Hi - yeah - it isn't the positioning of the centre fin - I usually have them middle to forward as a single fin - but with the side fins in the board felt really difficult to turn...and it shouldn't. That's when I started to look closer at the side fins and found them to be standard thruster fins...not your usual smaller sidebite fins. I'm under the impression I've been given the wrong side fins.

Perhaps Patrice can confirm this?

[MagW]

Ok, let´s hear what Patrice says.
Maybe you should try a much smaller middlefin, since you have 5size side thrusters? And since you obviously feel that the fins are limiting your surfing.

[waterman]

I'm a huge fan of the NFA's since the first model. They came with only the US finbox at that time and never had the feeling I needed side fins

I did try a smaller fin and that worked.

Maybe go for a smaller mid fin in comb with the side fins and all the way back in the box. Could do the trick?
Patrice has the most hours on the NFA for sure and knows what will work in a given situation. Going for 360's a smaller center fin is good.

For me the bigger NFA's 11'and 12' are really good with the standard center fin in any situation.

[coolas]

I guess G-5 are too big for side fins. They should be completed by a small central fin, same size for a thruster configuration.

For side fins, small fins like the GL or GX are nice.

And of course, single fins work wonders.

[Saturnx]

I guess G-5 are too big for side fins. They should be completed by a small central fin, same size for a thruster configuration.

For side fins, small fins like the GL or GX are nice.

And of course, single fins work wonders.

That's what I thought.........G5 are too big to go with a stock 8 inch central fin....think I have been given the wrong side fins!

[Saturnx]

I guess G-5 are too big for side fins. They should be completed by a small central fin, same size for a thruster configuration.

For side fins, small fins like the GL or GX are nice.

And of course, single fins work wonders.

You get the really small ones whihc might be useful - otherwise reckon it is better as a single fin. No word from Patrice as yet to get his take on this.

[Ours]

Hello,

with a 8'' the side fins G5 are better. If you go for the GL you will do 360° Helico every time you will go to the nose.
If it is your goal, go for GL !!!

If your goal is to have a better grip, G5 are better.

If your goal is to surf with a very clean style, use only the 10'' center fin.

Any question, just let me know.

Thanks.

[Saturnx]

Hello,

with a 8'' the side fins G5 are better. If you go for the GL you will do 360° Helico every time you will go to the nose.
If it is your goal, go for GL !!!

If your goal is to have a better grip, G5 are better.

If your goal is to surf with a very clean style, use only the 10'' center fin.

Any question, just let me know.

Thanks.

Okay - reckon I'll stick to the single.

[Saturnx]

Was going to say - the other big advantage for me is pivoting the board as a single is much easier when you need to sink the tail and turn the board round to get a wave. I'm not very good at that but it is certainly way more tricky with those big side fins in.

[jonysan]

Hi Saturnx,
You could even try a 7.5 centre fin, with no side fins. good for messing about days, on longer boards,
maybe not much "drive" but ridiculously loose feeling, and slides on top turns.,
and the pivot turns are easy-er !!
makes your board feel like it's having fun
probably wouldn't recommend it for big days, but up to waist high it's hilarious.

[Saturnx]

Hi Saturnx,
You could even try a 7.5 centre fin, with no side fins. good for messing about days, on longer boards,
maybe not much "drive" but ridiculously loose feeling, and slides on top turns.,
and the pivot turns are easy-er !!
makes your board feel like it's having fun
probably wouldn't recommend it for big days, but up to waist high it's hilarious.

Yeah - had tried it with just the 8inch fin and it was a bit crazy......maybe a bit too loose I'm relatively new to SUPs so probably better to stick with the 10 inch single as it is a bit more predictable.

[jonysan]

Good plan,

Is it your first Gong? It's cool that the boss gives advice to the customers ,to get the best out of their boards. !

[Saturnx]

Good plan,

Is it your first Gong? It's cool that the boss gives advice to the customers ,to get the best out of their boards. !

Yeah - first Gong .....I normally surf surfboards but have two SUPs...the other one is a Nah Skwell 9ft 6 swallow tail.....got too many boards! I like SUPs as they open up more possibilities in weaker/smaller waves but still prefer the surfboards if I have the choice of good waves.....but good to mix it up.