Fins -Best set up for NON-23' Belmar?

Discussion in 'All Discussions' started by MFCondor, Dec 22, 2013.

  1. MFCondor

    MFCondor Well-Known Member

    426
    Nov 30, 2013
    Hey Guys,

    So I have a 6'0" Firewire Spitfire. I have tried the Quad Clay Marzo fins, The thruster EA Honeycomb's, and the thruster WCT's. I enjoyed them all for specific reasons but haven't found one that is good at everything.

    Quad Clay Marzo's - Fast Fast Fast. Not much else.

    Thruster EA's - Great tracking but no release or very much speed.

    Thruster WCT (MY Fav's) Fast and loose but no real hold. Good fins to spin around on but not so much to do powerful surfing. kind of get stuck on the rail too. Even when head high-ish they slip everywhere.

    So, My question is anyone have good feedback for a tall lanky guy? 6'4" 185? I generally steer clear of 23' Jersey waves. I surf the heavy (or to most of y'all - not so heavy) Delaware and OCMD. Mostly waist to 2' overhead.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2013
  2. 252surfer

    252surfer Well-Known Member

    Dec 1, 2010
    i really like the rasta quad set by futures. theyy have good flex, good speed, and good hold. the only gripe i have about them is i'd like them a little more loose but that's it.
     

  3. MFCondor

    MFCondor Well-Known Member

    426
    Nov 30, 2013
    Thanks for the advice. I surfed my quad marzo's today. They were decent but damn, i cannot seem to get on rail with them in. Pumping, speed, and control are are solid.
     
  4. waterbaby

    waterbaby Well-Known Member

    Oct 1, 2012
    I'm 6'/180# and just surfed head high waves on my WCT tech flex with no problems. They dig into a bottom turns and lay on rail easily (no sliding out) - very snappy and just a great tri fin set, imo. Both of us may be over weight for WCT template, but the EAs are a little bigger and I though those were super high performance and snappy, too.

    Don't wanna disrespect by insinuating it's you, so maybe it's your board...for whatever reason, maybe it's just not meshing with you(?) All the EPS boards I've owned felt slow (although they turned fine). My reasoning was they were too light...but I have seen some dudes hauling ass on firewires, so there goes my theory.
     
  5. Dyldo

    Dyldo Well-Known Member

    87
    Sep 3, 2013
    I'm surprised you couldn't work with the Marzos as well. He's a tall lengthy guy who constantly surfs on rail plus all of the other crazy sh*t he does. Then again he is Clay Marzo.....
     
  6. leetymike808

    leetymike808 Well-Known Member

    752
    Nov 16, 2013
    the rasta quads are the best quads ive tried. My buddy has a set of the b. irons quads. THey seem to work really well for him.
     
  7. MFCondor

    MFCondor Well-Known Member

    426
    Nov 30, 2013
    No offense taken. It could be me I guess. I've only had the board for a little while so adjusting while wearing 5mils of rubber is kinda hard. Maybe I'll keep trying my wct's
     
  8. fins369

    fins369 Well-Known Member

    195
    Nov 17, 2008
    I'm assuming you have Futures. I have the WCT Techflex, and haven't had a problem with them holding. I actually prefer them in larger surf compared to my other fins as I feel their flat inside edge slows the board down. The other fins I use are the Blackstix AM1. I am slightly shorter than you, but the same weight, and primarily surf off my front foot. The Blackstix are create for creating speed when you need it, and they aren't too raked out to prevent the board from being loose.

    If you find the AM1's are too loose, move up to the Rusty Blackstix, basically the same fin template, just slightly larger.
     
  9. Sandblasters

    Sandblasters Well-Known Member

    May 4, 2013
    yeah i had a firewire before and that thing when i wanted to would fly down the line quad and i dont remember the name but it was the only eps bored ive ever had and cannot say anything bad about it.
     
  10. Mr.Belmar

    Mr.Belmar Well-Known Member

    Aug 19, 2010
    If your ever going to take the next step and paddle out at Belmar- you will need a little longer fin - you'll need more hold on the steep barrel section on the inside artificial reef. It's gets heavy out there!

    #newfinsforbelmar
    #heavybarrelsectioninbelmar
     
  11. MFCondor

    MFCondor Well-Known Member

    426
    Nov 30, 2013
    Your influence, and confidence inspiring response makes me want to head to Belmar today.

    #belmarpeopleareaninterestinggroup

    #betterhavebiggerfinsfor23'belmar
     
  12. Mr.Belmar

    Mr.Belmar Well-Known Member

    Aug 19, 2010
    Brah if you ever need someone to show you around Belmar, ask for me! I can show you where to paddle out on a heavy day and the best spot to drop in.... But seriously brah you gotta get some bigger fins and a bigger board if your ready to paddle out in the 23' belmar. I'm stoked that your stoked on Belmar!

    #belmarisreadyforyou
     
  13. Mr.Belmar

    Mr.Belmar Well-Known Member

    Aug 19, 2010
    PS - hey broskis it's me- if any of yous paddle out at Belmar and want to hang after and -let's say- get some pizza after a Belmar sesh - let me know! Great place right across from the break- 3 Brothers Pizza

    #getpizzaandbarrelsinbelmar
     
  14. elementdtlop

    elementdtlop Active Member

    39
    May 6, 2012
    i hated bruce irons quad fins loved the tri fins from kinetik. same idea as the clay marzo quad fast but it just doesnt turn at all. i like pc-5 fcs but that doesnt really help you. at your weight the joel parkinson model tri's might be good. id experiment with smaller back fins i remember switching back fins on my old js quad to smaller ones they were just a basic future set to start but i added like the smallest trailer set i could find. really good hold and speed but loosened up a lot. i dont like a lot of the trailers they put stock in quads i think they are way too big, at least for nj surf. small trailers also gives you a little more drift like a thruster. you could also do small back fins with a little knub in back like kelly does. i would say only for bigger surf though otherwise its eh.
     
  15. JimB

    JimB Active Member

    42
    Aug 4, 2010
    I have to agree with Waterbaby....it could be the board. The Spitfire is great board but certain plan shapes have their limitations. Tried mine with a butt load of different fins and was never totally satisfied. Having that wider tail with a flat rocker is gonna give you good take off speed but makes it harder to get that tight on rail pivot in the pocket. If you get a chance maybe try a board with the same width but with more of a pulled in tail and possibly some vee between the fins. More of a New Flyer template....at least that was the solution for me. Just my 2 cents.