Author Topic: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?  (Read 17315 times)

Dusk Patrol

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Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« on: July 23, 2017, 06:40:08 AM »
Currently have the stock 9" dagger style. Use is smaller closer frequency.... not big open swell.  I'm curious if anyone has come across a worthy alternative?
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

gone_foiling

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2017, 07:18:09 AM »
Fcs fat boy. Best fin for dw. 10" version for stability with great maneuvering and 9 if you really want to have fun.
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Luc Benac

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2017, 07:29:40 AM »
I can also add to that the Aercor and the Spartan from Larry.
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Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
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gone_foiling

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2017, 07:43:44 AM »
Yes Aercor is awesome - have that one too - but it needs a lot of wind to push you.
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Luc Benac

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2017, 07:56:05 AM »
Yes Aercor is awesome - have that one too - but it needs a lot of wind to push you.

Yes but depending on the board, it also works well with 15 to 20 knots.

The Spartan has been described by Larry as dedicated to big conditions. Here we do not have big conditions.
I have tried it a couple of time with my Vapor and like it. It does bring a lot of stability to the board when stalling and in between glides in mixed conditions and look pretty good to me when catching a bump. I was surprised as it is a big fin but still allow the board to move. That said I think that the bigger the condition, the better this fin is.
I also need to try the Fat Boy on my Riviera DW board as these two should be a perfect match.

Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

Dusk Patrol

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2017, 08:19:46 AM »
Thanks guys. Sounds like a variety of good choices for their conditions. I'll start with the Fatboy and go from there. It's significantly different from dagger so should be fun just to see what difference it makes. Thanks again.
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

Area 10

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2017, 08:34:01 AM »
FCS Fat Boy, or the True Ames Squirrel Cutaway, which is the fin design that the Fat Boy is based on. They are very similar, but the True Ames Squirrel has the slight advantage. It's a shade narrower at the base, and slightly thinner, with the bulb/base ratio slightly different. But since the two fins are substantially the same, either is good.

The 10" size is the more general use fin overall, better for surf and 20+ knots. The 9" is quite a bit faster for general ocean paddling, but there is noticeably less control in lively conditions and the board can tend to do its own thing rather than what you want it to do. So if you can only have one, get the 10".

Dusk Patrol

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2017, 08:52:36 AM »
Roger that. Thanks. Just checked the True Ames and see what you mean.  It's further along the shape spectrum. I'm a fan of of the fcsII click in base, so I'll try the Fatboy. Until one ever 'unclicks' on me.
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2017, 09:12:17 AM »
Yeah, I use the click-in Fat Boy a lot. It's been fine so far, but the board I use it in is a custom that has been very carefully constructed, so the finbox installation is perfect and the fin sits absolutely perfectly in it. My Bullet 14v1 however has a finbox that is slightly narrower at one end than another, so it's not easy to always get a perfect fit. But your SIC might be different.

burchas

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2017, 09:58:19 AM »
Another good option to check out is the Larry Allison GT Moray:
http://www.paddleboardspecialists.com/Moray/productinfo/LA16MO/

It is 8.5" but feels smaller. It really loosens up the the tail but does offer some
hold with its flex. It has a good base so it will help you to keep your momentum
on flatter sections. I like that fin for my SIC.

Comes with either click-it or screw options.
in progress...

PonoBill

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2017, 11:49:56 AM »
I think almost any 14' dw board comes alive with either a squirrel or an aerocore. Both enable you to pivot the tail quickly, but still have directional stability when you're ripping along. The Spitfire (dagger) fin aims to do the same thing, but it sacrifices directional stability for pivot and doesn't give the "carve-y" feeling a squirrel offers.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2017, 11:51:57 AM by PonoBill »
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

Eagle

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2017, 12:45:40 PM »
The 8.3 is a good all purpose fin.  If wanting more turning at the expense of some initial stability loss the 7.0 does the job.  Can really loosen up and transform a sticky board like the M14 in an instant.

Personally use the 8.3 or will put in the JL Tracker to give more grip and hold if conditions are blasting when using the Bullet.  If really need to go far left or right tho the 7.0 will allow that a lot easier.  In that instance the smaller profile helps stabilize the board when cutting across waves.

So would pick your poison depending what ride or challenge you want.  The SIC fin shape is very predictable and consistent so we use that a lot.  We have had no need at this point to change up as it does everything we want for our conditions.
Fast is FUN!   8)
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Area 10

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2017, 02:42:46 PM »
Thanks guys. Sounds like a variety of good choices for their conditions. I'll start with the Fatboy and go from there. It's significantly different from dagger so should be fun just to see what difference it makes. Thanks again.
It will make a very substantial difference.

Did your Bullet not come with the SIC weedless fin? As Eagle says, that's a good all-rounder. Cheap too, in some markets worldwide. It's not as good as the Fat Boy/Squirrel DW but it's good for general ocean racing. I don't know how easy it would be to get hold of one since the change of ownership of SIC though. But if you can find one at a good price it would be worth buying because it is a very versatile fin that works excellently in flat water too (the 7.0 for flat water).
« Last Edit: July 23, 2017, 02:49:34 PM by Area 10 »

Luc Benac

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2017, 05:54:48 PM »
Dusk Patrol if you do a search on a couple of Canadian web site they had them on sale at some ridiculous price like CAD 60. In US it would be like nothing for you.

ps: the SIC find not the Fat Boy...
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

Dusk Patrol

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Re: Downwind fin advice for V1 Bullet 14?
« Reply #14 on: July 23, 2017, 07:21:35 PM »
I actually do have a SIC weedless in a V2. I'll give it a go on the V1... even tho' I was getting all intrigued with the idea of trying a new fin in a new to me board... a 'rescue' from the garage of a family into OC1.
Thanks all, for the advice.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2017, 07:48:03 PM by Dusk Patrol »
RS 14x26; JL Destroyers 9'8 & 8'10; BluePlanet 9'4; JL Super Frank 8'6

 


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