Thrusters Quads

good little interview. I don't know if the quad (specifically the McKee quad) will supersede the tri-fin thruster. Some swear the fourth fin adds drag...but, for some reason, tri-fins feel they have more drag to me.

Bruce McKee claims credit for the original quad, but whether he actually did is debatable. According to others, Glen Winton is credited with the original quad.

"I put six on with the aim of picking one set to knock off. I actually won a contest on the six. That's how four fins were invented -- by knocking two off 'em." Glen Winton

I do agree the McKee quad (trailers close to the stringer) does ride a lot like a thruster...but feels faster to me.

 

didnt lazer zaps have quads?

 

The Campbell Bros were playing around with multiple fin configs before quads OR thrusters. As for modern quads, I think it was a slow progression, and not a singular "invention" by anyone in particular. Covergent evolution, as it were...

However... I did find this: Also, during the 80’s, enigmatic pro surfer Glenn Winton (Mr. X) developed the quad-fin. Quad fin boards were heralded as a whole new avenue for surf progression. Winton ripped all over the globe on four fins at a level that almost won him a world title.

 

agree...but drag vs. lift might be tough to distinguish...

certain quads (ones with all four fins canted out) feel to me like they generate more tail lift once your line is set and planing, and that might matter more than the tiny bit of drag difference. Tail lift = speed

 

yeah, I don't know sh!t about the technical side of anything concerning surfboards. For something that looks fairly straightforward and simple, it's actually all very complicated.

At the rebirth of the quad (around 2005), I remember how different all the fin spacings were from brand to brand, even on similar tail widths. I didn't buy one then because a lot of people were saying quads sucked...because very few shapers knew what they were doing in that area. Then, Rusty came out with his, the trailer fins close to the stringer. Confused me even more, but figured, he, if anyone, was probably right.

My first quad had the trailer fins closer to the rail and I disliked the way it turned...but my new quad has the trailers closer to the stringer and it does everything pretty much like a thruster.

For those of us who's technical knowledge of surfboard design is superficial, Pat Maus sums quads pretty well:

"...the brand of quad has just as much to do with your perception of a quad...just because you have a shorter, wider surfboard with four fins on the bottom doesn't always mean you will get the performance that so many people talk about...do a little homework and go with the guy who has the most experience."

 

I agree- find guys that really understand quads - I suggest talking with Brian Bulkley he definitely understands quads - he shaped and rode them back in the 80s - including riding them @ Pipeline - I still have a magic one he shaped me a while back. JayD give him a call he is very good, fair price and good turn around time
Jim

 

I've found that quads have fit in well with easy coast surf. Its much easier to carve in flat spots on the wave face. Same goes for a twin fin. When it gets bigg and hollow the thruster has better hold and doesnt get squirrley. The power of the swell will determine wich set up will be beneficial for your surfing pleasure.

 

Just from my experience and opinion.

I ride quads 90% of the time now...back when I was young, tri and even younger twin and quads...but quickly went to tri like everyone else. Felt great when younger but as I have gotten older quads just made me perform like I was younger and tri's felt sluggish and unresponsive. As you get older you just can't find the speed like I had in my younger years and speed makes good rail surfing which I was losing with tri but got it back with quads.

Reason-just my opinion. A quad will not go faster down the line straight when all things are equal within board design ...in fact I feel it's slower, creating a little more drag. But when you add the element of thrust, like a pump or a carve, you get a burst of speed, which a tri just doesn't do...you are putting pressure on more fins when you pump or carve which creates that burst of speed. I cannot do a roundhouse with tri's anymore unless I have a ton of speed...but quads I can do roundhouse with a minimum amount of speed...and the pumping action gets me moving fast, like when I was younger when using a tri...but with all that...when rear quads are close to the stringer you tend to lose that thrust feeling...I only like them close to the stringer on smaller tail block and in big surf...seem to hold better when it is barreling.

Hopefully that makes some sense.

 

adding to Mitchel's lift theory, just read something about the quad trailer fin "shadowing" behind the side fin during turns (and, to an extent, maybe even hard pumps). If that's true, the shadowed quad trailer has less drag than an exposed center fin. In other words, during steep turns, a quad-finned surfboard basically has only one fin actually dragging...or, at least, has less drag than the both the side + center fin on a tri-fin. The well placed quad may supersede the tri-fin, after all...at least in certain conditions.

 

This has been one of the most informative posts I've read on here in two years - thanks for that...I've only ridden two thrusters, but now I wanna go out and get a quad!

 

I have found this to be true as well.

Exactly!!!

 

I've been surfing quads for 4 years or so and would say if I could only have one board on the EC I'd take the quad. Thrusters are great in bigger steeper stuff but at times a little frustrating on typical small EC slop waves. I tried riding the quad as a twin but I really need a set of bigger fins for that.I Need to check out fin size/placement and compare to a true twin.

 

If you like this concept, look up how canard fins work on surfboards. It's been used in aerodynamics for a long time, and it's hydrodynamic iteration is interesting. Twinzers use a similar concept.

 

Isn't that what Cheyne Horan rode?

 

So after this past weekend I would like to say that my quad was a little squirrely on the bigger steeper waves. Had to really think about bottom turns. Guess I could get a set of bigger fins but next time I think I'll just bring a thruster for the juicey hollow stuff. Just an observation.

 

Yeah and if I remember, they were all singles fins.

 

I've got an old twinzer from back in the day. I usually ride my LB, but I brought it with me to South Jersey on Tuesday in case I needed something shorter if the surf got snappy. As it turns out, I was catching the big outside waves, so the LB was definitely the weapon of choice. Would have been fun to get on the twinzer, but the waves didn't call for it. I also have an old quad from the 80s. Total 80s board, with the no-nose teardrop profile, double concave baby swallow, all fins glassed on near the rail. My son is currently riding that as his first shortboard after learning on an 8'. It is awesome in EC waves, but will get squirrely in OH waves. It powerslides a bit like a snowboard.