Saturday, May 3, 2008

Futures

Although selecting a fin seems like an incredibly simple issue, it is not. In actuality, the nuances between set are small, making the decision difficult. The intention of this page is to clarify the misconceptions and help you select the right fin.

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:
  1. Pancho Sullivan (160-200+)
  2. Mikala Jones (130-170)
  3. 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.

Next, the question is what material. Below, each material is laid out with a brief description beside each:
  • 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
Personally, my favorite material is the Black Stix. Also, given that they are the newest, I assume the have the best technology and therefore performance.



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 ** -

  1. more height means faster,
  2. less base means looser
  3. 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
    • 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.
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