Just purchased a new old board for this year and I'm looking to buy some fins...I bought a Liquid Force 02 Picklefork 141 - a nice short board that should be fun to ride with enough power. (Couldn't pass up the $120 price w/shipping...that's new!) Currently I have a Wipika 179 and that is great for the light stuff...
Anyhow, since I have never purchased/ridden this short of a board, I was curious as to what size fin I should look at. I was thinking of a 1.5", as my board skills are not the greatest and I thought the extra grip would help when riding a shorter board, but my questions are:
How much does Fin size matter on a shorter board? My thinking is more since there is less edge, but I'm not sure.
Would it make sense to have smaller fins on toe side of the board, or is this irrelevant?
Any thoughts/input is greatly appreciated...thanks in advance.
Michael
Fin Size???
Moderator: MK
Here's my 2 cents worth.
When I bought my board, I read a lot about what people were riding with it and those that had swapped the fins out. Sounded like the stock fins were the most versatile. Coach swapped his out for larger ones on the heelside. I held out and then I found when I was way powered up that the edge would give way. I ended up buying a pair of 1.75" fins for my heelside and no more slip. I also took the recommendation of a shop that knew the board and knew the fin. I would suggest you do the same. Find a shop that has sold, ridden and knows that board and knows fins. Or call Wipika.
I also know that if I left all 6 fins on my last board when if was really powered, the fins gave too much lift and I couldn't hold an edge. So you can go too big.
I'd say ride what you have and find out where the stock fins aren't helping you, then find a fin that is designed to help out in that area.
I think fins are much less important with kiteboards than with sailboards.
When I bought my board, I read a lot about what people were riding with it and those that had swapped the fins out. Sounded like the stock fins were the most versatile. Coach swapped his out for larger ones on the heelside. I held out and then I found when I was way powered up that the edge would give way. I ended up buying a pair of 1.75" fins for my heelside and no more slip. I also took the recommendation of a shop that knew the board and knew the fin. I would suggest you do the same. Find a shop that has sold, ridden and knows that board and knows fins. Or call Wipika.
I also know that if I left all 6 fins on my last board when if was really powered, the fins gave too much lift and I couldn't hold an edge. So you can go too big.
I'd say ride what you have and find out where the stock fins aren't helping you, then find a fin that is designed to help out in that area.
I think fins are much less important with kiteboards than with sailboards.
Tighe