a stringer is a stringer. idk what you mean. the bump (wings) makes it go well in chop/mush/small surf. if it gets hollow that wing will bog on turns off the bottom.
Head high, this is not my first board (see original post). I usually ride a superfish II. Nice try though....
choose your pad based on color. if it matches, you're good. placement shouldn't matter. if its off 2cm, dump the board and quit surfing, or and get a custome 7'6" egg and eat your own feces. seriously, technically the rear raised part should go over the back fin, and the front of the pad should go over, you guessed it, the front fins. the raised arch part should go over the quad mids if there are any. I pull mine off the leash plug as much as i can get away with and always go with the fins. but im a very front foot surfer. if you have to ask where to place your pad, chances are you're not throwing airs. I'm not throwing airs, at least not on purpose.