Is one better than three ?

I ride an 8' 6" Ricky Carroll. I started with three fins, went to a single 9 inch power flex fin. Now I'm back to three. I do like the glide and more relaxed turns with the single, but you definitely get quicker turns and more "snap" with three. I'm experimenting with outside fin placement.

It's a funny transition going from 1 fin to three. The first couple of waves my board turned quickly down the line and I quickly face planted into the surf. lol

 

I go single, I also enjoy those drawn out turns. Got a 9 California classic from tru ames. Very good all round fin. But I got to say, I think tail rocker has more of a effect on getting snappy turns. Maybe not snappy, but not exactly drawn out either, ya know. Got to get back on that tail and things just tend to happen

 

On steeper waves, and waves shoulder high plus, I feel a 2+1 setup gives me more hold on the drops and more down the line drive. If it is small and slow, anything waist high and below, a single fin gives me the glide and smooth turns I am looking for. I usually ride a shortboard when it is firing, but sometimes, when it is sectioning fast, a longboard is the only way to go, so the extra side fins help make the wave.

A shortboard wont get in early enough to make it down the line on the outside, on those certain days. A longboard also helps you beat the crowd on primo swell days, if it can handle the juice.

 

Aw sheet... I thought you were talking a nite out with three chicks all at once.
You burst my bubble with all this sheetey fin talk....

 

Gee whale pus, finally got out of school or work?? Must be a bummer to have to do that......

 

My 8'1"' Mini LB came as a 2+1 but I switched to a 8" FCS Dolphin Single Fin and love it. My 9' custom HPLB by Orion I had shaped with only a single and I went with a 9" Greenough 4-A that I got from through True Ames. Similar to the FCS dolphin but better quality product I feel and has a little more flex in the tip. I have no issues on the bigger steeper waves typically but my board gots some rocker for that. Long drawn out turns sure, but can turn on a dime too if foot placement is right.

 

lol thank u,I thought I was the only one misleaded

 

Definitely like the longboard best with a squirrel fin single. It feels faster down the line, and the energy you can store up in that fin on a bottom turn and then slingshot out is cool.

One is not better than the other, they're different. Like you said...if what you want out of your longboard is tight radius turns, then you might like the tri setup better.

 

My present go to on the LB is a True Ames Squirrel cutaway. I like it alot. It is only an 8", I am thinking of going 9" for bigger surf.

 

Mine is a 9" and I mostly only ride a longboard in bigger surf anyway.

 

Single fin up to head high three fin set up above head high. Add 50/50 rails awesome.

 

Thought you switched to the BLEF?

 

i have a glassed in 10 inch captain fin co. fin. on my 9'8 classic log noserider. i love that damn board so much. its kind of all ive been riding as of late. ive been surfing everyday here in vb this week because of it. it works great in in ankle high all the way to shoulder high before it gets a little hard to drop into waves. can't beat the feeling of doing big drawn out bottom turns and getting right into the pocket to walk the nose.

 

Depends on conditions for me, because sometimes I take an HPLB out in faster, bigger surf, and i like the sidebites for those conditions. I am a convert to the wavegrinder foiled fins. Less drag for same lift.

 

Time to send it on. I lost Clemsonsurf's address when I cleaned out my PM box. I might buy one from Roy when I have an extra mortgage payment laying around.

 

HAHA! What's he asking for that thing?

 

Yeah, solid. Uh huh..solid...we did you a solid.

 

I ride a single on my log... 9" Farberow Flex fin suits my style and board design. It's got that delayed response in terms of energy input, so it makes those lazy, soul arch and drop knee turns nice and smooth, with very little drag down the line. It noserides well, too... not as good as the squirrel fin, but the board's rocker, rail profile, and weight make up for it.

On a HPLB, I like an 8" cutaway with sidebites. Not the squirrel style cutaway, but this kind...