Fin Selector
Related links: New
fins, Used
fins, Metric conversion table, Finbox
types
|
Fin Selector Chart |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sail Size |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your Weight |
3.5m2 |
4.0m2 |
4.7m2 |
5.5m2 |
6.5m2 |
7.5m2 |
8.5m2 |
|
|
|
|
|
120 lbs. |
7.25 |
8 |
9 |
11.25 |
13 |
15 |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
140 lbs. |
7.25 |
8.25 |
9.25 |
11.75 |
14 |
17 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
160 lbs. |
7.5 |
8.5 |
9.5 |
12.25 |
14.75 |
17.75 |
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
180 lbs. |
7.75 |
8.75 |
9.75 |
12.75 |
15.5 |
18.5 |
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
200 lbs. |
8 |
9 |
10 |
13.25 |
16.25 |
19.25 |
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
220 lbs. |
8.25 |
9.25 |
10.25 |
13.75 |
17 |
20 |
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fin notes: |
These recommendations are for the
Intermediate sailor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners may want to increase their sizes by
1/2"-1" to help them plane and stay upwind |
|
|
|
|
Advanced and Experts may want to decrease
their small fin sizes by 1/2"-1" for agility and
maneuverability |
Fins come
in many shapes and sizes. Hopefully we will be able to help
you make some sense of the flotilla of choices.
When choosing a fin, the first thing to think about is the type
of base: will it fit in your finbox? Click here
to see the different types of fins and boxes.
The "A-box" was "borrowed" from the surfing
industry years ago, and reinforced to be used on sailboards.
It works fine for fins up to about 11" in length. For
longer fins which exert more side pressure on the finbox, a
"through the deck" box is better (and stronger).
Most production boards and race boards now use "through the
deck" boxes. Figuring out what type of base you have
will be the first thing to determine when shopping for a new
fin.
Once you determine the type of box, then you need to figure out
what size (total surface area), outline, material, foil
shape, and of course price.
Fin Size should be proportionate to sail size. The
purpose of the fin is to counteract the sideways force of the sail to make you
track forward, not sideways. A larger sail
will require a larger fin to balance out the force of the sail. When selecting
fins it is important to consider area not just length. A short fin
with a long chord length may have a greater surface area and produce more lift
than a longer race fin. Some manufacturers make recommendations to
help you choose the right size of fin for a particular
sail.
Wave Fins
2.8 -3.8
sails
7-8" |
3.5 - 4.5
sails
7.5"-8.25" |
4.0 - 5.0
sails
8"-9" |
4.5 - 5.5
sails
8.5"-10" |
FreeRide and Race fins:
5.0 - 6.5
sails
10"-14" |
5.5
- 7.0 sails
12"-14.5" |
6.5 - 8.5
sails
13"-15" |
7.0 -9.5
sails
15" + |
Fin Outlines: Once you figure out the size of
fin for your particular use, and the box type that you have, the
next thing to determine is the outline. There are advantages
and disadvantages with most features on a fin, and most of the
fins available today are somewhere in the middle of the extremes.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing an outline:
Chord Lengths: Click
here for a definition of chord length.
- Longer chord lengths make the fin more stable, shorter
chord lengths make the fin looser, or more squirrelly.
So, basically, the stubbier the fin, the more stable it will
be.
- Longer chord lengths have a slower top end speed than a
shorter chord length. On the other hand, longer chord lengths
are better at getting a board planing, because they have
better low
end power.
- Too long of a fin can cause the board to rail
up. This can be particularly annoying on narrower
boards.
Rake: Click
here for a definition of rake.
- More rake makes the chord length longer (see chord lengths above). For an extreme example, consider the weed
fin. The water on a weed fin contacts the fin for much longer distance
before it leaves the fin. This makes the fin slower, and
also makes the board more
difficult to turn.
- A "blade"
fin with little or no rake has a high top end speed, which
is good for some racers, but can be too "high
strung" for many
intermediate sailors.
- Varied rake like on a wave fin is a good compromise for many
people. Even some racers prefer a fin that has a bit of
varied rake (or curve). The rake in the fin takes the
edge off the fin making it a more
controllable.
Foil: Click
here for a definition of foil.
Quality and workmanship on fins has improved substantially in the
last 10 years. Foil shapes have become more refined, and
smooth. Fin makers have determined a good compromise foil
shape, and
there usually isn't much of a choice in foil shapes. If you
are interested, though, here are some tidbits of info on foil
shape:
- Thinner fins disturb less water, and as a result are faster.
- Thinner fins break easier
- Thinner leading edges are faster, but don't point upwind as
well as a thicker leading edge because as you point higher
into the wind, a pointed leading edge is more likely to lose
contact with the water, increasing the likelihood of spin-out.
Cut-outs: For a definition of cutouts, click
here.
Cutouts on the back of the fin help prevent spin-out
by increasing the distance of the base of the fin from the tail of
the board. Most wave fins have at least a small cut-out.
Slots: Click
here for a definition of a slot
Slots on a fin definitely help prevent spin-out,
but add noticeable drag. They are only available on fins
with a wide enough base, because the slot weakens the base.
Frequently asked Questions
What size of fin should I get?
Fin size should be proportionate to sail size. A larger sail
will require a larger fin to produce a balanced ride. When selecting
fins it is important to consider area not just length. A short fin
with a long chord length can have a greater area and produce more lift
than a longer race fin.
If you have any questions that might be
good here, please let us know at windance@windance.com
.
|
