3 vs 4

I can tell you that quads perform better on the backhand, well at least for me. They have drive plus response and don't fell as stiff as a thruster. Quads really depend more on the overall mix of fins vs a thruster. In smaller than chest high I usually run regular front fins and two smaller trailers. This loosens up the tail some but still drives like a thruster. In bigger surf I use a standard Future quad set where the front and back fins are much closer to the same size.

 

I use the standard Future Vector II Quads for the full size and for the small trailers. They are the same type of material as the FCS's you are talking about. THey come on a lot of standard boards too so nothing real special. The Vector's do have a concave side on the front fins but are a normal foil on the rears so I took an extra set of rear ones and cut and sanded them down for the small trailer ones. My buddy who shapes my boards swears by the Future Rasta's though but I have never tried them. I'm just an intermediate surfer and only surf up to a bit overhead waves so not sure if "advanced" expensive fins would help. FCS makes some good quad sets too.

 

Not the most experienced charger so take my comments with two grains of salt. I'm just now to the point of experience where I can notice any difference from one fin setup to the next, though I've ridden over 25 boards with various setups between ones I've owned or rented/borrowed so I have collected some data.

I second the notion that full-size quads are great in head high and above and staggered setup in smaller. Rode the former in OH yesterday and had best of all worlds. Futures Stretch fins on that stick. I've also got Futures Controllers on my quad groveler that buddy has been borrowing for a year now and we both agreed just yesterday that those fins make that board a hell of a lot more fun.

This changes my normal preference for thruster. I've liked the hold they offer on bigger drops especially when I'm not on pins or rounded pins yet (though want to score a good one). I like this tread since it's getting me thinking about trying my quads more since I ride my skates and Carvers both REALLY loose so I can definitely handle the slide. However, I do wonder if I should still rely on my good strength and power and go with my usual large tri-fin then have lots of input to the board rather than let the board skate loosely on water for speed.

Who knows man, I sure as hell don't! At least not yet. But having a blast figuring it all out and trying different things. I'd endorse the "find what works for you" mindset since we are all different cats with unique attributes.

 

from my limited exp: basically, quads on wider tails and/or smaller or weaker waves...tri for everything else.

I never believed "quads are faster" until I felt my V2 rocket (setup as a tri) bogging in small waves. The center fin really did feel like a little anchor dragging. Switched to quads and didn't feel that sluggishness anymore.

Although I can't yet get a quad to turn as abruptly as a tri, I've seen guys absolutely ripping on quads, so I know it's possible. I probably just need more time on them, but that introduces an acclimation period every time you switch back.

 

I absolutely love my quad with the two larger and smaller rear. Its fantastic for the waves around here.

 

I'd like to hear some opinions on the "twinzer" (smaller in front, larger in rear).

 

I like em.



PULL OVA DAT ASS TOO FAT! Whoop whoop

 

wouldn't work on anything other than a board designed to be a twinzer because the fin box spacing on a quad is spaced too far out. If you put small fins in the front on a quad, the "canard" dynamic would be absent, so you'd basically just be riding an under-finned twin.

 

I did not know that. Sounds like a disaster.

I guess I should rephrase: I'm curious if any Swellie's have any experience riding a true "twinzer", and if they could describe that experience.

 

Kid - I have ridden a couple of Twinzers- shaped by Mabile and Okamoto. I really like that set up, very fast right on takeoff and freefeeling- kinda like a twin but with better hold.
The Mabile I had was more of a small wave stick, the Wayne O shaped board works well in overhead waves.

I think the science behind the set up is sound, there are a lot of nuances that can be dialed in depending on how you want the board to ride.
Jim

 

quads are faster.
kinda like a manual transmission....
when you add a fifth gear...it goes faster.

 

I like quad setup. its fun. Weird though.

 

Wassup Saint? Good to hear from you. Thanks for the details, I've seen those Mabile twinzers and always wanted to give it a go.

Don't know if you'll ever find yourself out this way, but the invite is standing for you. The surf here is consistent and uncrowded, and actually warmer than that OBX sesh. Life is great and I'm finally living the dream brah.

Peace and waves....

 

I grew up on twins, then went to thrusters and back to quads and then back to thrusters for aboput a 4 year stretch. Then went to thrusters for 20 + years but now iam back to quads...4 fins now for me...I prefer the looser feel...IMO, a quad will make a poorer surfer look a tad better in average surf...3 fins just feel stiff to me and being avg surfer at best, the quad makes me feel better then what I really am. Might be because of my skating style but quads just fit my style better.

When I get a board, I try not to order it as a 5 fin set up but as a thruster. I add the quads in later. I prefer the rear fins to be located closer to the rails, so I install the quad boxes. I do have a bigger wave board that is a thruster which is pretty good in the larger stuff, but just bought boxes for that and may set those up closer to the stringer.

for me...95% quads, 5% thrusters...honestly, it just depends on the person...I certainly would never say one is better then the other, but for me, i just feel like i rip better on a quad and stiff as a board on a thruster...but i see people riding three fins that look crazy loose, but they are a hell of alot better then me.

 

5 fin option is so great, its like having 2 different boards. i'm a quad guy personally - just love the fluid flow and glide. someone mentioned FCS II quad performers i think, i use these on my better wave board, no complaints. my medium wave board i run lost seaworthy's (controllers) as someone mentioned as well. awesome fins for a fat, wide tailed board.

 

Kid - I'm really stoked that your plan worked out for you- I may take you up on your offer sometime- would love to surf that stretch of coast.
Stay healthy and keep surfing
Jim

 

Every bit of this...I also like quads with the rears closer to the rails, and dislike quads with the rear fins tucked in closer to the stringer.