I rarely log...maybe 5-10 times a year...but really enjoy the rush now and then of going fast on a 9 foot board. Not interested in nose riding at all...lined up, semi hollow waist - chest high waves, slotted, high line kind of stuff. Since i wont longboard enough to really dial stuff in, i'm interested in how these fin setups might ride. So far the only one ive used is the single squirrel fin and find it really springs you off the bottom and shoots you down the line. board is HP 9' x 22 1/2" X 2 3/4" Setup one- 9" squrrel fin:Setup two- 3.25" side bites, 6.5" cutawaySetup three- 3.25" side bites, 7" takayama off an old single fin egg:
I have a fin similar to the squirrel fin on my 9-0 Bing Trimulux (single fin only) and it is the bee's knees for everything from mushy crap to solid chest + fun surf. Since you have a 2+1 you may also want to try 4.5" sidebites with a 4.5" trailer for a true thruster set-up. I have found large-wave nirvana with this setup on my 9-4 Soul Performance speed log. Nice hold on steep faces and great tight (for a longboard) turns. Of course when we get head to overhead surf, you will probably grab a shortboard and leave the log alone in the garage pining for you to return. . .
the first fin will have nice flex and make the board really responsive in turns it will work in knee to head higg conditions. The second fins set up is reall a wasit of time . I find 2+1 set ups like that to me rather useless . They dont have any drive and I find the tail to slip out of sharp turns. The third set up is a step in the right direction. the Bigger center fin will give you more drive , and flex off the fin . I would lose the side bites they would really serve on purpose imo
The 2+1 has really been a misused setup. Unfortunately, it's been a real magnet for guys that think that want the latest gadget or (never having a single fin) think that a single fin either can't turn or is for geezers. The truth is, with the right shape, 2+1s can enhance performance. Personally, I think they require a "performance" longboard shape, with a narrower tail and some "V" for transition from rail to rail. I also think that (using it with the right shape) a 2+1 setup is ideal setup in steeper waves (OBX). While some may use 2+1s on a noserider, putting that setup on a wide, flat-tailed & soft railed board is a waste of money. Soft rails provide all the hold you need in steep waves and if you want to crank tight turns, the noserider just isn't the tool for the job. All that being said, I think, of the three, that the squirrel fin is best for what you plan to do with it. The side bites will induce more drag than benefit for taking the high line and drawing a line down the face of a flatter (i.e. semi-hollow) wave. Personally, I'd put a Greenough 4A and lose the side bites for that. Just my 2 cents. Oh...and to sorta echo what Mikey said, my 10' Cluster V has 5.5" sidebites and 3" trailer. On steep, juicy waves, that board can pull off some incredible stuff. Tiny tail, though, and good amount of "V".
the greenough 4A is my all-time favorite fin for single fins, whatever the type. i love the 10" i have in my 9'6" log & loved an 8" in my single fin egg while i had it. it's a great fin.
I'm going to have to both agree and disagree with Ray... for what you want to do ditch the sidebites, and stick with a single fin... whatever you like in terms of size, flex and template. I have had great success with 2+1 setups on HPLBs with concaves... sometimes in combination with vee, chined rails, etc.... but always some kind of concave. Thin, light, rockered out longboards with shortboard rails and concaved bottoms work well with sidebites and the right sized center fin. The cutaway in the pic is too small, IMO. My all time favorite setup for an HPLB was a 8" cutaway with sidebites on a board with deep double concaved vee. Yes... the tail did slide out on hard turns, but that's what I liked about it. But getting back to what you want to do... high, speedy trim line in medium sized surf... go with the dragless feel of a pure single fin. You don't need all that tip on the squirrel tail fin if you don't noseride. But if you like that feel, go with it... or try a Harbor fin.... lots of rake, lots of tip... lots of leverage. Flex fins feel great, too, and I recommend getting one just for fun. I like the Josh Farberow Flex Fin over the Greenough... wider template and tip. But maybe that's because I'm a bit bigger than average.
single fin in the mush. 2 plus 1 if its good generally speaking. if your tail is super bouyant then ditch the 2 plus 1 and ride something else when its doin it
Mitchell: Sorry to dig this up, but I actually found it via google looking at different squirrel fins. Did you ever try all these setups and if so, where do you stand on the three listed above?
I've mostly stuck with the squirrel fin midway in the box just like the pic. I only enjoy longboarding in fast steep hollow medium sized waves...waist to chest and peeling down the sandbar too fast to really do any turns. Pop/Drop/Slot kind of surf. The single fin seems to be the fastest out of the bottom turn, and holds the high tight line the easiest. Its amazing how much you can load that fin up on a bottom turn and just SHOOT down the line when you release it. The tri fin setups definitely loosen up the board, reduce the tracky feel. But like I said...not riding the longboard to do a bunch of turns.
I'd stick with the squirrel with no side bites. Sounds like it's working for you. Matt johnson, njsurfer, and lbcrew all basically nailed it. If your looking for something diffrent get your self a fin like the greenogh 4A and ride it and as a single. If you don't want to buy a new fin just stick with what you got with the squirrel as a single. For what your doing and the waves your surfing the LB in, that's your best choice in my opinion. I have a board with almost identical dimensions and ride it as a single with a California classic by tru ames. That board can do anything I want it to but deffinitly excels in the type of conditions/surfing you mention
Dude I prefer the single fin. But I think it's just a matter of preference... You really gotta get out there with the 2+1 on a good clean day with some size to really try it out... I would guess that you would know if you like it or not within the first wave. I have never really liked the 2+1- but that's cause I like the glide and turning of a single... I would try the last pic that you posted... Or keep single fin. That cutaway would work great in a single fin short board
running to the nose is functional on a longboard. this is how one gains speed sometimes. i wouldn't knock noseriding/running to the nose. it doesn't need to be your sole mission while riding a longboard (which I see often and I think is stupid), but it is something you need to embrace.
