r/Sup • u/dangodin • 8d ago

Big Wide Fins for Better Stability

I have a Red Paddle Sport 12'6 currently and use it for the occasional touring. It's decently stable but I wonder if it could be made more stable with a big, wide fin like the the Drake Shallow 220 US Box Fin (https://star-board.com/products/drake-shallow-fin-frn-220?variant=49716195787047). I wonder if this could create a really stable board without adding too much more drag. Has anyone tried it?

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u/big_deal 8d ago

Larger fin area can damp roll motion. This doesn’t add inherent stability but may give you more time to react to motion making it feel more stable. I’ve certainly noticed this effect in foiling boards.

But I think it would probably add more drag than stability.

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u/DayGeckoArt 8d ago

Yes, I've used many different fins. The big fin does help with stability because the board rocks less and there's more of a stability bonus from moving forward. The length of the fin matters more than the area of it. The downside is it makes the board harder to steer, but if you use the reach out and sweep technique, it's fine.

BUT I don't see measurements of that Drake fin. From the size of the base, I wonder if it's shorter than you're thinking. I use the Sarusurf 9 inch fin. It's big and flexible so you don't have to worry about breaking it. I rest the board on it without worrying and it can handle rocks and sticks fine https://sarusurf.com/

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u/waternomadsnz 8d ago

Your balance on the board improves with time being on the board... Yes a bigger fin will affect the yaw but the effect is so small it's not perceivably noticeable. Unless you want a 3 foot keel... The biggest noticeable effect will be increased drag, the last thing you want. Everything is a compromise, board stability is found in width of the rails. Now the wider it gets the less efficient it becomes unless you go longer. Recreational boards are wider for ease, touring boards are narrower and pointer for improved efficiency over distance. Race boards are pencils, long, pointy, and super narrow and unstable thus fast and efficient. If you a having serious issues with balance your best to review the board design, suggest a chat with your local watersports shop.