How important is 'fin setup' on a beginners board?

[kiltedsurfer]

Looking to purchase my first board after renting and borrowing and pretty much decided on a mini-mal/funboard.

I've got a few boards eyed up but some have the quad fin set up and most the tri fin. Just wondering if this will make much of a difference for me?

Cheers

[drowningbitbybit]

Go with the thruster (three fin) set up... it will be more stable and a little easier to learn on than a quad.

[tilem]

I'm in the same boat. Going to buy my first shortboard (thruster set up fcs) I was wondering what do I base myself on which fins to buy ? Surfing mostly in Maine but if I have the chance/$$ go for a trip in central america.

[kiltedsurfer]

The tri fin (thruster) seems to be the general consensus from those I've asked.


Cheers

[jaffa1949]

A plus for the three fin set up for a mini Mal is using it you have three variants thruster 3 equal sized fins, 2+1 set larger centre fin two smaller outside ones ( side bites) and finally a single fin especially if you get a box for the centre fin rather than plugs. Have a read of the fin primer , the box means you can alter the centre fin characteristics for performance. You might have noticed I prefer the 3 fin option!

[peazz]

As an intermediate (would u call me this guys?) and going through the 'out of shape' 'paddle every day' phase recently. I would recommend quads.

I found at the start, thrusters reduced my time in the water. That middle fin does not create that much extra drag but it soon adds us and you end up blasted.

At a stage where you are a beginner and need as much speed as you can on the drops and down the line, again from my own personal experience I would recommend quads.

If you are confident in your turns, can do rail to rail really well then go thrusters.

[TowelCircus]

It's not very important as long as you choose small/flexible fins, basic fcs fins will generally be ok. Beginners dont need a lot of drive as they wont push their turn very hard, they do need to feel how their position and actions affect the board. Save money for now, wait until you are able to bottom turn and generate speed, then you can have a lot of fun testing fins and quad/thruster set up.

[benjl]

As a surfing newbie myself I can offer my experiences so far but would be leaning towards the thruster fin setup for the reasons Jaffa said.

I've got a 6'2 fish with fin plugs for both options and I've tried both in a variety of surf sizes and types.

My experience was that the quads were definitely faster / a bit looser but only really helped in anything really small (1-2 ft) or less. When the waves got any bigger the stability if the thruster was a big positive and helped me to stay on the waves for longer and learn faster.
Suppose it depends on the size waves you'll be surfing and your paddling fitness.
What I found was more useful than fin set up was having a board with a bit more rocker in the nose which meant that I could drop into the wave later with more confidence and when the wave had more power. Kind of making a quad fin set up pointless- even in 1 ft small waves.

Hope that helps

[peazz]

I kind of disagree with the above post to an extent, In waves and places with little power (especially crumbly breaks) quads are a lot better (I Ride kellys k2.1 or as ou buy them now 'V-2' ) choice especially for a newbie who already has enough trouble generating speed, they give alot more down the line speed and enable that critical first maneuver that sets up the rest of your ride.

Now, if you are on a punchy low-tide beach break I would definitely recommend going for thrusters (AM-2s perform well here or JW-1s), you can take a late drop and pick your line ALOT easier, once you engaged your thrusters as the above post points out they feel a lot of stable and do hold a line better (lower down the wave as well compared to quads) , but with that comes less down the line speed and you have to generate your own speed riding rail to rail.

I would say pick up a 5 fin set that allows you to test thruster and quads depending on the days conditions, its all comes down to personal preference mate.

[benjl]

I agree with peazz on that- if you can find a board with 5 plugs like my fish then it will give the best of both options to play around with.

For crumbly waves the quads have definately been faster for me but for steeper-beach breaks I swap back to a thruster set up.
Suppose it all depends on what waves you will be surfing and and what suits you best.

5 plugs for the win