Surfboard fin

However, the fin is part of the equipment in water, in contrast to the rudder fixed. Mostly it is mounted at the rear, where it serves to maintain the directional stability, similar to the fin in fish or the tail of aircraft. Be converted into propulsion example, when surf boards with the help of a fin sail forces. When kayaks and the English expression skeg is used for Finn. In dinghies we speak of a mobile sword that reduces the drift instead of a keel.

Dimensioning

When surfing the fin size is being used depends on body weight, board size, sail size and strength of the wind. Too small dimensions or for example after jumps to heavily loaded Finn leads windsurfing to spin out with the effect that the surfboard loses its stability in the driving direction and suddenly sideways slipping.

In contrast, a fin with too much space or - worse yet - too much draft means that the board responds sluggishly to the controller or at high speeds to Aufkentern the windward edge of the water rises.

In general, however, that smaller fins are driven to have for a loose, lively Board ( wave riding and freestyle ). Larger fins are preferred by slalom and race drivers. And since it is easier for upwind, just by slightly advanced windsurfers.

When surfing the fin size is determined by the number of fins used, the body weight of the surfer, the wave size and power of the wave. Larger fins provide more stability at high loads due to heavy surfers and high speeds, smaller fins are more agile. When surfing between one and four fins are used.

Forms and Types

Regarding the form short, curved fins are for a higher revving with surfboards used rather long for higher tipping stability, straight fins.

Windsurfing

When windsurfing only one fin is usually used. In special situations, two equal-sized fins are mounted side by side on a surfboard, so-called Twinser (increases maneuverability and allows larger sails forces in shallow water ). Or, there are two smaller fins on the left and right of the central fin, called Thruster (eg for surfing in high waves to grip with strongly angekantetem board yet). In places with sea grass or shallow water and windsurfing are also special weed fins are used, which are strongly bent backwards to offer at low fin height still a large area.

Surfing

When surfing various fin configurations (English setups ) are sorted by class board and range in use:

Single Fin

The straight, parallel placed through a longitudinal axis of the surfboard fin is the fastest configuration when moving straight ahead. It requires a lot of fin area to offer sufficient stability and is therefore not particularly agile.

2 1 setup

The case of long surfboards (English Longboards ) most commonly used configuration consists of a large center fin and two small, obliquely side fins. For a better board control and stability is achieved than in the single-fin setup.

Twin Fins

With this configuration we obtain very fast and maneuverable surfboards, which provides more stability than with surfboards single fin setup. This setup is used more in smaller waves.

Thruster

The case of short surfboards (English Shortboards ) most commonly used configuration is a good combination between stability and maneuverability. Three fins are generally equal. Surfboards as they are surfed in competitions are predominantly equipped with this configuration. The rear fin is in the center and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the surfboard, the side fins are set at an angle.

Quad

This configuration is slightly faster than surfboards with the thruster setup, but just as agile in the curves in the straight ahead position. The front fins are greater than the rear fin. All fins are slightly obliquely.

Systems

The fin is screwed into a groove on the underside of the surfboard, the so-called fin box (german box or plugs ) or is permanently connected to the surfboard. There are the following relevant systems:

• Systems Windsurfing: Power Box
• U.S. Box
• Trim Box (now no longer in production)
• Tuttle Deep Tuttle box or ( Tuttle still does not fit in Deep Tuttle, conversely )
• Mini Tuttle box ( at Quad - and Tri - Board)
• Mini U.S. box ( at Quad - and Tri - Board)

• Systems Surfing: FCS (Fin Control System)
• Futures Fins
• U.S. Box
• Firmly laminated Finns