Can any board be ridden as a single fin? I have a 8' Stewart Funline 11 I am going to swap in a 9 inch fin instead of the 2+1 fins that came with the board. I also have a matador 9'2 east diamond tail longboard that is sold as a 2+1 board. Interested in any opinions if any board shape/length can be used with a single fin. I know the answer is likely just try it and see, but i think some board makers advertise some boards 'can be ridden as a single fin' and don't make the same statement for other boards.
Sure... all boards can be ridden as a single... but they might not ride good! I'd say all 2+1s can, though. They're usually designed that way, and by that I mean center box with removable sidebites (smaller rail fins). I rode one HPLB that had glassed on sidebites, but it had the full on banana rocker, and needed them. They were too big, though, so they ended up getting ground down to make them smaller. Sidebites add drive, and open up the performance window, preventing spinout when you put the board on a rail, or when you're high on the face either trimming or doing a turn, where it's very vertical. They also hold better in the tube, unless you have a full on barrel board with a very narrow tail. So if your style of surfing is smooth and glidey, singles are great. But if you're pushing it hard off the tail and shredding, multifinned boards have the advantage.
Absolutely, dude. I have a single Rainbow Sweep in my 2+1 as we speak. The 9" might be a little too much for your 8' Stewart, so I would be more inclined to put the 9" in your 9'2" instead. It's always nice to have a 2+1 on standby, but if you really want to ride it as a single fin, I would start with 7.5"-8" fin. True Ames' punchy L-Flex fin should be a nice compliment to your 8' Stewart. When surfing bigger waves, go back to the 2+1 for more stability and overall control. Right now, the 2+1 might be holding you back. Enjoy the glide.
I'm riding a 9" Farberow Flex in my 9'3 single. I like an 8" True Ames cutaway and sidebites in my 2+1.
LBCrew & dlrouen - thanks for the advice. I am going to do a bit of experimenting, I can't shred (not good enough) and generally i prefer a smoother cruisy style, thanks for the vote of confidence regarding trying the single way on my boards. Probably get the True Ames for the Stewart.
I've never ridden a 2 + 1 on a longboard that I liked--seems way too directional and tracky for the way I like riding LB's. So, my opinion is: Burn the side bites.
Start with your fin all the way towards the tail of your fin box. This is the most stable fin positioning, but also more challenging to turn. If you want a looser feel, start by moving the fin forward in about 1/2" increments until it feels just right. If you go too far, you are are most likely going to spin out. It's all personal preference, but you should definitely get that cruisy style you're looking for with a single fin. Hey DawnPatrolSUP, what fin are you riding in your 8'1" Fireball? Any advice for eastcoastticy?
I rode a buddy's WRV 9-0 modern noserider with a True Ames D-fin in it... must have been 8" and I can't remember who's model it is... but it's one of those awesome pro lb-ers signature fin. Previously I've only ridden D-style fins glassed on to classic shapes, so I was a little wary... But dayum if that thing didn't work like a freaking charm--"Ive been missing this the whole time!?!?!" kind of moment. I loved how well it held off the bottom, pivoted mid-face and noseriding. I know what I'll be riding the next time I get a LB....
At one time all boards were single fin. I've got an old 7 0 stinger and a 7 4 Robert August that are both single fin and they ride fine for a smooth arcing, gliding style. I position the fins about 1/4 of the way back from the front of the fin box for better turning ability.
+1 to most everything that has been said already so I'll just share my experience, I have a 8'1" McTavish that came as a 2+1 setup, it was fun, but I ended up snapping off the tip of the center fin. I decided to a get a bigger fin and dropped the side bites and ride it as a single. I went with an 8" FCS Dolphin Hydrofoil and it's been really fun, changed my board for the better, it rides so much better now, more nimble, and turns on a dime, I think a 9" would be too much fin for an 8' board.
I think there is a lot of love for riding my 8' single fin. It's kind of a back up board for when it gets a bit steeper, i love my 9'8 single fin longboard, so i echo the comments from Erock, i feel a bit more alive on the wave than on a 2+1. I have put in an order for a True Ames 8 inch Norm Flex, I think i like a bit of rake in my fins, so i thought i'd give it a go. Thanks for all the help on my first post.
Pretty awesome advice all around, I still think it's awesome how there's so much practical knowledge here to appreciate. Don't get me wrong , I love all the bull$#it also. I hope everyone gets some good waves today.
A year ago I wanted to experiment with a single fin on my 10' Stewart Hydro-Hull, so I removed the side bites and threw on a 10" Bing fin, it turned out as a bad idea, I lost all my glide, after missing wave after wave I jumped out and put my 7.5" and rode that as a single, and the board performed much better. In the end I went back with the tri-fin set up. I've ridden some single fin boards since, that rode real nice. To this day I'm not sure if the fin was just too big for the board or if the board shape just works better with the tri set up. Let me know how you make out.
Single fins are sweet! I have a 7'8" single fin a buddy shaped for me that I love. It is modled after my first board from the late 80's (a 1970's Jim Ovelin single fin) and I also have a 6'1" single (orange board) that is super fun in anything over waist high. The smaller one is a take off of the CI single fin that Machado helped Merrick design. Dluroen the yellow one was done glassed by Eavey.
Those are some fine looking boards, rcarter. You must be a very proud man. What are their names? I would like to take that 6'1" out for a nice seafood dinner sometime. I hope you're staying fresh in the big city!
for small summer i would ride the longboard as a single fin (less fins=less drag). when a decent swell fills in, if you still ride a longboard as opposed to shortboard, throw the sidebites in for drive and hold. you'd be surprised the things a HP longboard 2+1 setup can do. my single fin preference is the 8" Greenough 4A on my 9' longboard. i just convinced a good buddy to get the same fin as well, they are tried and true.
Bears can smell the menstration! Actually Dlrouen that little single fin was sold to a guy in Wilm last fall. I have a similar shape and size version of it now with diamond tail and 5 fin boxes. They are all shaped by my friend in Wilmington who actually has the yellow one back at his place since I "loaned/left" it there.
