| Parabolic Carbon Fiber Frame, High Density EPS Foam Core, Epoxy Laminate, Custom Shaped -- |
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Questions and Answers
Q. If I ding my FiberFlex, how can it be fixed? A. If you get a ding in your FiberFlex board, treat it the same way as you would with a PU board – except use Epoxy resins. First dry the board out to evaporate all water in the core, pre-sand, bog it up – with epoxy resin, reshape, laminate – with epoxy resin, pre-sand, then filler coat and sand back. Solarez has a epoxy repair kit for small cracks and dings. |
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Fiberflex
Firewire
"The whole concept of the firewire design is to try and emulate the 'springiness' of a freshly glassed PU board."
While both Nev and Dan have considerable shaping expertise, due to the sophistication of our computerized design programs and shaping equipment, we prefer to call them Designers. Drawing on their actual shaping expertise and combining it with the unlimited design capabilities of Firewire’s CAD/CAM platform, Nev and Dan have the tools to take surfboard design into the next frontier, a place where materials have as important an influence on performance as proven design principles.
Future Shapes Technology (FST)
Unlike regular Polyurethane cores, which weigh approximately 3lb per cubic foot, Firewire cores are built from 1lb EPS foam. Not only is this EPS material significantly lighter than regular PU, but 1lb EPS also flexes considerably more. In order to stabilize the flex of the 1lb core and to give it strength so that your foot does not go straight through it, we’ve add a 1/8” layer of extremely hi–density aerospace composite to both the top and bottom decks. This process is called sandwich construction and is exactly what the word implies; the internal EPS blank is sandwiched between the two layers of hi–density skin.
The sandwich is constructed with a layer of lightweight cloth and resin between each layer, both top and bottom. Then the whole assembly is placed in a vacuum bag until the resin cures. The combination of epoxy resin and vacuum pressure creates a very durable bond.
The other components added to the blank build are the balsa rails. Like the tension of a bow before releasing an arrow, the balsa controls both the degree of flex and equally importantly, the specific rate of return. If the board is too flexible you lose drive and it feels like a bodyboard. On the other hand, if it is too stiff its like riding a car without shock absorbers. In addition, with flex, you gain the extra energy created when the board bends during a turn and then snaps back to its original rocker as you come out of the turn, catapulting you forward.
The specific construction of the balsa rail is also important. While the balsa looks like a thin veneer on a completed surfboard, in fact it is over half an inch thick, built from 3 x 4mm strips laminated together and running the length of the surfboard perimeter, creating an incredibly durable structure and incidentally a great buffer for those inevitable rail bashes when surfing.
There is another performance benefit inherent in Firewire’s flex characteristics. Most surfboard design represents a trade off between rocker and planing speed. A heavier rocker allows for tighter turns but pushes water in the flats. Alternatively a flatter rocker is faster in the flats but does not turn as sharply. Because Firewire’s are actually creating rocker when you lean into a turn, the overall rocker can be slightly flatter, allowing for a faster board in the flats without sacrificing turning radius – the best of both worlds.
CONSTRUCTION
EPS Foam Core: Firewire is 100% committed to EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) for our shaped cores. In addition, the 1lb core is an essential part of Firewire’s high performance. The way in which materials travel through different mediums is a direct result of their density AND shape. For example, a baseball and tennis ball are roughly the same shape and size, but behave completely differently when thrown. Similarly, a 1lb foam core allows for rapid direction changes and overall responsiveness during rail–to–rail turns.
Corecell Skin: Corecell is an amazing material with an extremely high strength to weight ratio. One of its primary uses is in wind turbine blades, which gives you an idea of its durability. It is flexible and has very high impact strength with very little material fatigue over time. Unlike traditional PU foam boards, Firewire blanks are not only lighter weight and stronger, but the flex characteristics remain intact for a considerable amount of time, long after traditional blank materials have fatigued and lost their spring.
Epoxy Resins: Firewire boards are built with epoxy resins, which are not only far stronger than polyurethane based resins, but emit only 2% of the VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) versus regular PU resin. Unlike a PU based laminating facility, you can walk anywhere in the Firewire factory without a mask and without a headache. Furthermore clean up requires simple citrus cleaners.
Balsa Wood Rails: The specific construction and choice of balsa for the rails is vital to Firewire’s flex characteristics and performance. While the balsa looks like a thin veneer on a completed surfboard, in fact it is over half an inch thick, built from 3 x 4mm strips laminated together and running the length of the surfboard perimeter, creating an incredibly lightweight, durable structure and incidentally a great buffer for those inevitable rail bashes when surfing. The balsa endures that the degree AND rate of flcx is controlled to maximize performance.
Lamination: With the inherent strength of our custom blanks and the epoxy resin systems, all our shortboards are laminated with a single 4oz deck both top and bottom, except for the FE606P and FE608P Step Up Guns. All other models over 6’10” have a double 4oz top deck and a single 4oz bottom. Given the fact that some Longboarders actually prefer additional weight, we’ve added a layer of 6oz to select longboards and these are delivered to retail with a special sticker clearly showing the lamination schedule.
Hi Density Fin Inserts: All Firewire Surfboards have hi–density inserts surrounding the fin boxes for both FCS and Futures. This is a far stronger method of attachment than anchoring the boxes to the top deck as is the case with the regular FCS installation, or letting them float directly in the EPS. This also allows the tail to flex more than a system anchored to the top deck.
The Vent: The 1lb Firewire EPS core contains a lot of air. It is NOT a hollow core, but as you can imagine a blank that weighs 1lb has far more air inside than a blank weighing 3lbs. As an added precaution to allow the core to expand and contract during extreme changes in temperature or air pressure, the vent allows air to pass back and forth between the core and the exterior of the board, while preventing water from entering. The GORE–TEX membrane does not require any maintenance, other than kept free of wax in order to breathe. You can imagine the stresses and strains on any surfboard materials when you take a board on a hot day and jump into 50‘degree water. While some may argue that the vent is not essential, we believe that it does prolong the life of the board.
Balsa versus Carbon
According to one poster, "apparently, carbon fiber just cannot match the superior flex properties of balsa." Another reader substantiates the stance by stating "the problem is controlling the speed that carbon flexes at; apparently, carbon fiber springs back to its memory shape far quicker than balsa, which effect the reaction time for the surfer. Apparently."
Both of the above comments, especially with their use of 'apparently' show unsureness of response.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Surfboard materials
Advantages: The advantages of epoxy are, according to Al Merrick, its ability to be
- Lighter
- A little stronger than a polyester board
- Tendency to delaminate
- However, this limitation is greatly reduced with extruded polystyrene.
- Epoxy's flex pattern is "a little different than a polyester board, but they're close. They tend to have that consistency we're used to having, the way they work with you through a turn, and have that particular bend to a wave's face," again, according to Al Merrick.
Epoxy Surfboards
- Examination of epoxy resin
- The epoxy resin is stronger and more ding resistant than polyester resin. Epoxy resin is used in many applications other than surfboard building such as boats, electronics and aerospace parts.
- Epoxy resin can only be used with polystyrene foam.
- The epoxy boards have been associated with names like Surftech, Boardworks, Firewire etc.
- Shaping Process -
- Handshaped - One type of epoxy surfboard is quite similar to the fiberglass board. The only difference is the polyester resin is substituted for epoxy resin and the polyurethane core is substituted for a polystyrene core. The styrene is hand shaped or machine shaped and then laminated with epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth. In the aftermath of the Clark foam shutdown, many shapers quickly switched to this method as polystyrene foam cores are readily available in the marketplace in order to meet demand when traditional polyurethane foam was unavailable. They are very common amongst big brand name shapers and are widely available and customizable due to the fact they are all finished by hand.
- Hand Shaped Epoxy with High Density PVC Compression Step: Our Resin8 Epoxy surfboards represent this type of technology. This is very similar to the 1st type of epoxy surfboard as explained above. The difference is a very strong PVC layer is compressed onto the EPS and glassed with epoxy resin. This compression step adds tremendous extra strength. It is much more difficult to build as the boards are not built in mold hence the phrase pop-out. These boards are all hand shaped and refined to duplicate the master copy it is being modeled after.
- Molded or Popout - In this type of epoxy rather than hand shape the polystyrene core, a mold is created based on the dimensions of a traditional fiberglass plug. The hollow mold is then injected with the polystyrene foam to mold it into shape based on the master, and then covered with several layers of fiberglass cloth, epoxy resin, and typically a layer of high density foam to reinforce the structure and placed in a vacuum or press to compress all the materials together, hence the term sandwich construction. Typically a heating element can be built into the mold to allow the epoxy resin to cure at a higher temp increasing the strength. The techniques employed during these steps can be varied by different companies to get the desired strength, flex, weight, etc..
- Foam - there are two types
- expanded polystyrene: The EPS is beaded foam and the foam is much like that of your beer coolers in the grocery store or inside your bumper on your Mazda Miata. Since the foam maintains a structure based on an open cell it will absorb water like a sponge if exposed to water.
- Some limitations are the poor strength, low resistance to compression, and difficulty of shaping due to the small round spheres. If you are buying a low end epoxy board you can basically count on it to be expanded polystyrene in the core. Most epoxy boards are made from expanded polystryene foam (open cell, water absorbing), the type used in coolers and coffee cups.
- http://www.fiberflexsurfboards.com/ff2site/frameset.htm - fiberflex surfboards are made of polysterne foam; however, partially compensating for lesser foam, it has a parabolic carbon fiber frame. Its benefits are maintaining speed, drive and lasting up to 2-3 times longer than a standard PU board.
- extruded polystyrene core: This is a closed cell core and since it is “closed” it repels water and is more resistant to compression and damage.
- One of the most notable differences from the Expanded Styrene Cores is the flex patterns are greatly enhanced due to its closed cell structure which will allow for greater response under pressure. All your higher end epoxy boards utilize this type of construction.
- History: Certain pioneers such as Javier Huarcaya, owner of Epoxy Pro blanks and glassing in Oceanside, CA, have made innovations to epoxy that are 'huge.' Epoxy's main limitation, its tendency to delaminate may have been overcome by Huarcaya's invention, 'Thermovent,' which is producing 'tiny, gas-releasing pinholes on the deck of your board.' Branding - boards such as Merricks, Rustys and Mayhems are stamped with the XTR logo. "XTR" is the acronym for extruded polystyrene or closed-cell foam commonly used in airplane wing insulation. Another big proponent of extruded polystyrene, Patagonia's Point Blanks in Ventura - "We're approaching this a bit different than Javier. Point Blanks shaper Fletcher Chouinard. "We're putting a little more emphasis on durability while still maintaining a relatively light weight. It's more work with these boards -- we have to make the blanks from scratch -- but with the minimal weight we can apply more glass to them. You can pull into a lot more closeouts on these."
Traditional Fiberglass Surfboard Technology:
- Foam - polyurethane foam core, PU, is the foam of the traditional fiberglass board (ie Clark Foam).
- Process - A traditional fiberglass board is hand shaped or CNC machine shaped out of a The foam core is laid up with weighted fiberglass cloth and laminated with polyester resin. The board is cured and then sanded to a desired smoothness and voila! you have a traditional “fiberglass” surfboard or PU. These types of surfboards are most notable for their performance and specific flex properties and have been around since the 1960s
- http://surfinglife.com.au/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1929&start=0
http://epoxysurfboards.com/articles.shtml
http://www.islesurfboards.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=68
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Surfboard Tail Shapes
You start splitting hairs when you're talking about a rounded squash versus a squash, but
I like to tell people that basically an angular tail creates a more angluar turn.
A good rule of thumb is to think of a more angluar tail as creating more angular, square turns. A rounder tail will create more elliptical, smoother turns. For instance, Rusty Preisendorfer said in a Transworld Surf article: "I like to tell people that basically an angular tail creates a more angluar turn."
There are two basic tail designs: the pintail and the square tail. All other designs are variations on these two themes.
Outlined below are the pros and cons of each surfboard tail type:
- Narrow Tail
- Pros: hold wave better
- Cons: less turning ability and speed
- Surf conditions: Gun type surfboards designed for big waves have a long pointy tail designed to hold on the face of the wave, effectively digging into the water to maintain stability and direction.
- Rounder, squarish tail
- Pros: will generate more speed and maneuverability since it does not dig in a much
- Cons: less hold
Pintails
Pintails are designed to provide maximum control and surface hold on the wave. They have minimal surface area and come to a point at the end with little curvature. This decreased surface area decreases the lift on the tail and allows the point to dig into the face of the wave, causing the board to "track" or maintain direction. Pintails are used almost exclusively on big wave gun surfboards, where control is the most important element. Pintails are not so maneuverable, but when you're speeding down the face of a 20' Waimea bomb it is more important that the board go straight and not suddenly start snaking all over the place.Roundpin Tail
This surfboard tail design is a more versatile version of the pintail with a bit more width and curve. It is the halfway point between round tails and pintails, ideal for medium sized surf, anywhere from shoulder to almost double overhead. Softer curve coming to either a point or a rounded point. This tail design provides a moderate reduction in surface area to maintain control, however it is not as extreme as the pintail. Roundpin tails have less release and create smoother, more drawn out turns. This tail can be found on a variety of boards from shortboards and hybrids to longboards.Round Tail - This is a smoother continuation of the board's contour, coming to a rounded end. The increased surface area helps give the board a bit more lift in the rear and allows for a looser, more turnable board. These are popular on shortboards where maneuverability is key. A round tail will provide more release off the top of a wave than a squash or swallow tail, however it makes square turns off the bottom or mid face a bit more difficult without a corner to work with, such as exists on a squash or swallow tail. Round tails help direct the water around the end of the board and provide more stability in hollow, fast surf. Both the round pin and the thumb tail compliment bigger waves and more powerful carving styles.
Thumb Tail - http://www.cisurfboards.com/sb_ksmall.asp . For 2008 Kelly jumped over to a new tweaked version of Flyer rocker. We added the Ksmall Thumb to complete a board that became Kelly’s small wave favorite (ankle to two feet overhead). Substantial rocker, slight single concave forward flattening out the back. Kelly's Ksmall is the the board he rode to victory at the 2007 WCT Trestles contest. According Proctor, the thumb tail offers a more clean carving effect.
Rounded Squash - nice pivot and snap of squash tail
Squash Tail
Conditions - "knee to over-head" - ambrose
Very responsive, the squash surfboard tail design provides all the surface and planing area of a round tail, contributing to speed and lift and helping to maintain speed in slower spots. The rounded corners provide a bit more bite and control than the round tail, and the square end allows the board to release. The corners allow for more pivotal, abrupt turns off the bottom or on the face, but will provide less release off the top. This tail design relies on the tri-fin setup to maintain control. The squash is the most popular tail for a shortboard. One of the most versatile shapes. According to Proctor, more pivoty and snappy. Ambrose writes - "The squash is the child of the square. The edges of the once sharp square tail are simply rounded a bit to create a 'squashed' appearance. This tail results in a design that is more stable than the square yet still loose when it needs to be. The squash is by far the most popular and versatile tail today and is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced surfers alike."
Square Tail
Conditions - knee to overheardThe square tail is like the squash, but the pointed corners create more square turns with less release and more bite. According to ambrose surfboard shaper, this board is better in knee to overhead conditions. Ambrose continues - "This is a good overall tail shape although it is not a very common choice these days. The sharp corners provide a bite that aids in both drive and maneuverability. This is a tail that is loose and effective for smaller waves and more radical, fins-free surfing."
Swallow Tail
The swallow tail is related to the squash tail in that it provides more surface area from rail to rail, allowing for planing speed and lift. The tail of the board curves down to two points as in a squash, but the area between those points is decreased by a vee cutout resulting in two soft points. The decreased area between the corners and more pronounced points give the board more "bite" and control in critical maneuvers, as well as when going into and out of turns. The two points on the swallow tail act sort of like dual miniature round point tails, but without the pronounced "tracking" that a pin or rounded pin provides. The swallow tail is generally good for small waves, but it also is good for surfers who want a board that's going to stick during deep carves. Fish type surfboards tend to have a pronounced swallowtail, compensating for the wider, straighter outline which is more difficult to maneuver. According to Proctor, it creates something more loose and skaty.Bat Tail
(sometimes called a star tail) This is rare surfboard tail design. It's a version of the swallow tail and essentially performs the same way. Helps keep the tail wider so the rails can run straigher down the length of the board. The bat tail is essentially just a cosmetic difference, as it is extremely difficult to percieve any difference between the Bat, Diamond and Swallow. Some say that the center point of the bat tail adds a bit more stability.
Diamond Tail - The diamond tail is a lesser used tail design now that the squash tail has become more popular. The original intent of the diamond tail was to soften up the square tail but keep some of its speed.
Wing Tail:
The wing is really not a tail shape but more of a rail shape. It can be seen as the bump in the rails just in front of the front fins. Don't be confused and think that this is a different tail shape. The tail shown on the left is still a Swallowtail, the board also has a wing.http://www.transworldsurf.com/surf/print/0,20087,1211781,00.html
osted 07.10.2006, By Casey Koteen - "What do the last few inches of your board actually do?"
It's common knowledge that a pintail is typical of a big-wave board and 95 percent of 6'2" shortboards are squashtails. For shortboards, the squashtail is the undisputed king of tails. But why?
Is there really a huge difference between getting a rounded pin, squash, swallow, or something else on your shortboard, and could the average surfer even tell the difference?
"I think so," says master shaper Rusty Preisendorfer. "You start splitting hairs when you're talking about a rounded squash versus a squash, but I like to tell people that basically an angular tail creates a more angular turn."
It makes sense when you visualize how water flows off the back of a board as it goes through a turn. "Water is kind of a sticky substance," says Todd Proctor of Proctor Surfboards. "It's touching your board at the entry point, grabbing the rails, and the last thing it does before leaving the board is bending around the tail shape. It can bend around the tail and hold on to it the whole way, like on a rounded pin, which keeps things stable. The smoother the rail line is, as on a pin or rounded pin, the smoother the turn will tend to be.
On a squash, square, or any tail where you have some flat area, water jumps off the flat areas. That creates a pivot point and makes the board skatier."
Rounded tail (are smoother)
Square tails or wider tail shape (overall, more lift and release).
- Creates more volume. This translates to more
- Stability
- Lift,
- Both stability and lift are good for mushy sections, but they fair well in hollow surf, too. In a word, they're versatile."The water wraps around enough so it can carve," says Proctor, "but with the flat space at the end of the tail, the water can release and you can make the board pop off the lip. You've got the best of both worlds; it'll draw a nice, clean arcing turn, but it'll still release."
What about the wily and weird swallowtail? "Depending on the depth of the cut, you'll get a bitier tail. Swallowtails sink and bite a little better," explains Rusty.
That, too, makes sense, especially when you consider that most fish-type shapes have swallowtails. The thinking is that you want to have as loose a tail as possible on a fish, because their typically straight outlines make them quick down the line but harder to turn, and a bitier tail shape compensates for that.
If you're still having trouble processing some of the subtleties of tail design, Rusty describes it this way: "Just imagine you have three squashtails that are all the same: What happens if you cut a notch out of the tail and turn it into a swallow? Well, you lose area and volume, and that corner goes into the water and it becomes bitier. What happens if you sanded the corners off a squash? You lose some area, but you gain curve so the tail sinks a little easier and the board will be smoother feeling." Apply that thinking to the rest of your questions about tail shapes, and you start to get an idea about the cause-and-effect relationship each design has.
But ultimately, you have to actually ride each one of these different tails to really know how they differ. So get out there and start filling out an order form and experiment a little. You can stay conservative and order that swallowtail or rounded pin you've always thought about, or just go hog wild and order up some crazy asymmetrical tail-either way, you'll end up knowing more about surfboards.
Pull Quote: "I like to tell people that basically an angular tail creates a more angular turn."-Rusty Preisendorfer
http://www.proctor-board-shop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=grovIV%2Ep%5F6963
Product Specs:
Dimensions: 6'3" x 18 5/8" x 2 1/4"
Tail Shape: squash tail
Construction: polyester/ Y2k UV Isothalic Light Cure Resin
Glassing: 4oz bottom, 4oz+4oz deck/ Direct Size cloth
Fins: FCS Fins
Rider Weight: 160 - 185 lb. / 72 - 84 kg
Groveler IV.p [performance]
Most versatile and well received new shortboard design.
This is a very fast design that generates it’s own speed when it’s small, yet holds in and rails tight arcs in the pocket when it’s overhead.
The rocker has a flatter area between the feet combined with an even, flowing single-to-inset double concave bottom. This creates a rail line that runs straighter from under the front foot to the lead-in fins, giving the board quick bursts of speed and incredible drive around sections. There is a good amount of tail rocker and release coming off the back fin allowing for lightening quick, explosive turns.
http://www.proctor-board-shop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=sr71%5F6%2E2
Recommended Cure Time: cured & ready to ride
Construction: Polyester/ Y2k UV Isothalic Light Cure Resin
Glassing: 4oz & 4oz + 4oz Direct Size cloth
Fins: Future Fins
Rider Weight: 155 - 170 lb. / 70 - 80 kg
Blackbird
New and improved...
Straighter tail rocker increases drive
Heavier concaves through the fins adds a whole new responsiveness
Heavy single concave through the tail makes this board really alive in the pocket.
STILL....AND NOW MORE THAN EVER...A spry, lively bugger of a backfoot board. Developed around San Clemente’s variety of waves; goes mental in points, reefs, and beachbreaks alike.
It will release out the back and re-engage for fins-free type of maneuvers, airs and reverses.
Ideal Conditions: Knee-high to Slightly Overhead
Experience: Intermediate to Advanced
Designed for: Fins-free maneuvers, airs & reverses
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Fin terms
Depth: is the length of the fin. The length of the fin influences a board's hold in the water. The longer the fin, the less slide or more stable the board. However, the problem is if the fins are too long, they can bog you down. A big fin will be 4 3/4 inches or 12 cms approx. A small fin will be 4 1/4 inches or 10.5 cms approx.
Area: because fins are not just two dimensional, a fin's area is more than base times height divided by two. There is also the thickness or its girth.
Cant: is the angle of the fin in relation to the board's side. A steep cant, means its leans closer to the rail.
Sweep: The sweep of the fin is how far it is canted backwards. The further your fins are swept backwards the longer or more rounded your turns are going to be. A straighter fin will tend to pivot more.
Toe: The toe angle is the angle of the fin in relation to the stringer. A 0° toe angle means the fin is parallel to the board. Unfortunately, box plugs are impossible to move as they are determined beforehand by the shaper.
Foil: Fins are similar to the wings of airplanes since both are foiled (curved). Centre or back fins are typically foiled on both sides and side fins are most often foiled on the outside, but flat on the inside.This creates high pressure and low pressure. Hence it is designed to move into the wave (hydrodynamics) to hold you in (move away from high pressure to low pressure).
Just like the weather where wind flows from high to a low.
Flex: Weight is important as is flex. The lighter the better.
Futures
First, the most important issue is your weight. For your ease, Futures recommends selecting your fin based on the riders they provide.
So, the main riders are as follows:
- Pancho Sullivan (160-200+)
- Mikala Jones (130-170)
- John John (lighter than Mikala Jones
For me, however, and I am sure others, this assistance guide is difficult. For me, I weight 170. Therefore, do I want to be on the upper limit of Mikala Jones or on the lower end of Pancho Sullivan.
- Black Stix CTM - engineered flex; torsional flex created by cresent shaped carbon along the leading edge. The inlay of two materials creates this unique torsional flex pattern storing potential energy when flexed, which is released during turns.
- Fiber composite - Good Starting point. Sensitive, snappy and a lightweight fin that retains proper flex patterns for performance.
- Natural composite - Great flex rebound characteristics, an all around material.
- Fiber Glass - Sensitive fin with a natural, progressive flex pattern. Heaviest of all construction
- RTM - Resin Transfer Molded - Advanced aerospace technology, customized flex patterns, unique ride, light foam core and hex, fast, light, loose.
- Glass lite RTM - Foam core, very light, bold colors. Natural, flex pattern of glass
- Red Black Tip-Soft Flex RTM - Foam core. For lighter riders, smaller surf or looser ride, very light.
- Clear Hex Glass RTM - Natural progressive flex patterns, this is basically a removable glass on fin.
- Blue Aluminum RTM - Aluminum coated foam core - Special flex pattern for Vector 1. Lightest fin on market.
- CTM - Comibned Transfer Molded - Engineered Flex created by a unique process to create and control flex
Best to start with rider weight- Number on each Future fin denotes height of fin in inches. Larger the number, the bigger the fin. For example: FG1-400= G1 template at 4 inches high. EA- 450= EA template 4.5 inches high. Currently using Vector Tech Foils (VF 460) - Vector Tech Foils VF 460.
Weight in lbs
**Generalization ** -
- more height means faster,
- less base means looser
- less area means looser
- 130 lbs / 59 kgs. and below -
- 130-160 lbs -
- 160-190 lbs
- No - height too small and not enough area
- FWCT-450
- Height: 4.5 in – 11.4 cm; Base: 4.37 in – 11.1 cm*; Area: 14.89 in² – 96.06 c
- The name says it all. For progressive and high performance surfing.
- Available Materials: Fiber glass
- No - not a lighter rider (based off of this, looking for something with base bigger than 4.45 and area greater than 96.19 cm).
- FYU- 4.59
- Side Fins: Height: 4.59 in – 117 cm; Base: 4.45 in – 11.3 cm*; Area:* 14.91 in² – 96.19 cm²;
- Center fin: Height: 4.44 in – 11.3 cm; Base: 4.25 in – 10.8 cm*; Area:* 13.3 in² – 85.81 cm²
- A high performance fin for the fast lighter rider. Lots of drive and easy release off the top.
- Available Materials:- RTM Soft Flex, Fiber Glass (all 4 colors), RTM Honecomb (ClearHex), RTM GlassLites
- No - this fins appears also for 130-160 lbs surfers, too small
- FJC1-460
- Height: 4.58 in – 11.6 cm; Base: 4.37 in – 11.1 cm*; Area:* 15.05 in² – 97.1 cm²
- This fin equals drive. The full tip with a medium base allows this fin to do its magic.
- Available Materials: CTM Black Stix; Natural Composite
- No
- FMB1
- HEIGHT 4.62 in - 11.7 cm; BASE 4.5 in - 11.5 cm*; AREA* 14.84 in² - 95.74 cm²
- This template was designed for speed, perfect for fast surfers with a loose style!
- Available Materials: Clear Hex
- No - appears too small, not a loose style
- FAM1-450
- VII FAM1*- Height:* 4.563 in – 11.6 cmBase: 4.50 in – 114 cm Area: 14.84 in² – 95.74 cm²
- One of our most popular templates along with the VII Foil generates speed while releasing off the top.
- Available materials - CTM Black Stix, Natural Composite
- No
- FWT-453
- Height: 4.53 in - 11.5 cm; Base: 4.49 in - 11.4 cm; Area: 15.1 in² - 97.42 cm²
- Tested and proven in Hawaii. For serious power surfing.
- Available Materials: -Fiber Glass (blue, red, smoke, clear).
- No - want a base bigger than 4.45, this is too loose
- FDHD-469
- Height: 4.69 in - 11.9 cm; Base: 4.33 in - 11 cm*; Area:* 15.19 in² - 98 cm²
- With a taller height, smaller base, and less area; this fin is fast and loose.
- Available Materials: Fiber Composite (Black/White)
- FJS-466
- Height: 4.59 in - 11.7 cm; Base: 4.35 in - 11 cm*; Area:* 15.13 in² - 97.61 cm
- A fast and loose template accompanied by a Vector Foil allows this fin to make sections and destroy them.
- Available Materials: RTM Honeycomb
- FEA-450
- Height: 4.57 in – 11.6 cm; Base: 4.40 in – 11.2 cm*; Area: *15.16 in² – 97.81 cm
- The EA template accompanied by a VII Foil is perfect for in the pocket surfing. Perfect for medium size waves and powerful surfers.
- Available Materials: CTM Black Stix; Natural Composite; GraphFlex - Blue Camo NEW!
- FGP-456
- Side fins: Height: 4.56" – 11.61 cm; Base: 4.40 in – 11.2 cm*; Area:* 15.2 in² – 98.06 cm²
- Center Fin: Height: 4.375 in – 11.1 cm; Base: 4.25 in – 10.8 cm*; Area:* 14.2 in² – 91.61 cm²
- Tested and proven for years in Hawaiian waters.
- Available Materials:Fiber Composite (Black/White)
- FR1-454
- Height: 4.54 in – 11.5 cm; Base: 4.27 in – 10.8 cm*; Area: *15.21 in² – 98.13 cm²
- This template is specifically designed for explosive radical surfing. Perfected by the Pros, the VII FR1 is great for speed and releasing off the top.
- Available Materials: CTM Black Stix; Natural Composite; GraphFlex - Grey Camo NEW!
- FTP1-4.62
- Height: 4.62 in – 11.7 cm; Base: 4.52 in – 11.5 cm*; Area:* 15.27 in² – 98.52 cm²
- Its wide base with a narrower tip makes this fin a standard for high performance surfing.
- Available Materials: Fiber Composite (black/white); Fiber Glass (all 4 colors); *NEW RTM Honeycomb (blue, red, yellow, green)
- Maybe
- VF3/2/1-452
- Height: 4.52 in – 11.5 cm; Base: 4.37 in - 11.1 cm*; Area:* 15.39 in² - 99.29 cm²
- Trailer: FCH2 (450 Hatchet); Height: 4.50 in - 11.4 cm; B*ase:* 3.35 in - 8.5 cm; Area: 13.2 in² - 85.16 cm
- The revolutionary VF452 3/2/1 cuts down drag by increasing water attachment, which allows for maximum speed. Ideal for fast punchy beach break, vertical surfing, and powerful waves. 3 foils, 3 different angles of attack give incredible drive through the turns, with a tip that allows immediate release.
- Available Materials: Natural Composite
- No - appears a touch too big
- FChilli-474
- Height: 4.74 in - 12 cm; Base: 4.54 in - 11.5 cm; Area: 15.65 in² - 100.91 cm²
- Great for all conditions, from height and base to area, it is a well balanced fin.
- Available Materials: Fiber Composite (Black/White)
- No
- F5-450
- Height: 4.50 in – 11.4 cm; Base: 4.45 in – 11.3 cm*; Area:* 15.89 in² – 102.52 cm²
- This is a looser template than the F6, but is also for bigger guys or bigger waves.
- Available Materials:Fiber Composite Black/White.
- No
- F6-461
- Height: 4.54 in – 11.51 cm; Base: 4.57 in – 11.6 cm*; Area:* 15.71 in² – 101.35 cm²
- Classic down the line fin for the bigger guy or bigger waves, works on everything: shortboards, guns & funboards.
- Available Materials: Fiber Composite Black/White.
- No
- FR3-450
- Side fins: Height: 4.53 in – 11.5 cm; Base: 4.70 in – 11.9 cm*; Area:* 16.13 in² – 104.06 cm²
- Center fins: Height: 4.48 in – 11.4 cm; Base: 4.48 in – 11.4 cm*; Area:* 14.6 in² – 93.9 cm²
- Speed and Drive...A larger base fin with a lot of area, holds great for heavier surfers and powerful waves.
- Available Materials: Natural Composite; NEW! GraphFlex - natural checkers
- No
- AM2-479
- Height: 4.79 in – 12.2 cm; Base: 4.70 in – 119 cm*; Area:* 16.16 in² – 104.26 cm²
- This template is the "bigger guy" template, with a full base and large surface area.
- Available Materials:Fiber Glass (all 4 colors); Fiber Composite Black/White.
- No
- VF3/2-467
- Height: 4.67 in – 11.9 cm*; Base:* 4.64 in – 11.8 cm; Area: 16.47 in² – 106.26 cm²
- Trailer: FCH1 (425 Hatchet); Height: 4.25 in - 10.8 cm; Base: 2.56 in - 6.5 cm; Area: 11.55 in² - 74.52 cm²
- The VF467 3/2 decreases drag while increasing speed. Perfect for point breaks, power surfing, and powerful waves.
- Available Materials: Natural Composite
- FPS-476
FOIL - similar to the rocker and bottom shape of surfboards. IE double barrel concave or single concave. Foil powerband - water attachment and release - foils are designed to release at different points in a turn. Flat fins release earl to control speed and have a narrow powerband. The Vectors and Scimitar are designed t o hold onto water (attachment) and in turn create more speed, longer throughout the turn - best for conditions when you need to generate speek and larger waves when you need to blast around sections.
- Sounds very nice
- Vector 1- Fast tight top turns, good round house turns, carries speed from maneuver to maneuver
- Vector 2 - Vector Foil at base transitioning into a flat foil towards the tip. Creates burst of speed off the bottom, yet feels loose and free on the top turns and great for breaking out the tail.
- Vector 321 - Projects out of every move. Great for punchy beach breaks, designed for tight and crisp top to bottom surfing.
- Triple Plane angles
- Scimitar
- the Scimitar is a constant varible plane fin, based on a variable algorithm. Starting with our Vector foil, the fin twists from the base of the fin and then cants in. We do it on three different agles of attack for maximum water attachment. A highly refined design and smooth riding fin that holds through more of the turn. A very lively fin, best for rail-to-rail surfing.
- Maybe
- Classic flat side - First foil used for thruster setup. Conventional feel for pocket surfing.
- No - seems like a bad call
- Vector 3.2 - Good for powerful waves. Makes long sections by holding speed down the line. Very loose off the top. Good for long lined up waves.
- Vector
- VF 460
- Power, Speed, Drive...For power surfing, larger surfers, and bigger waves.
How to choose an OUTLINE
Similar to choosing outline of surfboard and dimensions of surfboard, this is just like choosing the correct fin template.