Comments on: Everything You Should Know About FW Fins.

By: Sean OBrien

Sean OBrien — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:13:24 +0000

Hi Dave,

Website looks great! Thanks for posting here. Feel free to post some updates here when the event goes ahead, I’m sure a lot of readers will be interested.

By: David Kashy

David Kashy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:21:39 +0000

Hi All, I finally went ahead and put together a Web site. The main reason was to publicize my up coming event, but I went ahead and added a link to my design brief.
Take a look. (And Enjoy the Ride)
Dave

By: Fins!!!! « Pieter's Blog

Fins!!!! « Pieter's Blog — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:36:33 +0000

[...] Posted in 1 I found another great article at Carbon Sugar today! [...]

By: Tuning Your Kit for High Wind | CarbonSugar.com – The Secrets of High Performance Windsurfing

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:23:12 +0000

[...] If you want to learn more about fins then check our previous article on “Everything You Should Know About Formula Fins”. [...]

By: Sean OBrien

Sean OBrien — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:05:46 +0000

Hi Nemeth,

I haven’t tested the LWR (only HWR) so can’t give you any insight in to the fins etc. I think its best to decide on the Starboards based on their development models:

HWR – development of the 161
LWR – development of the 160

Both boards will be great but have different riding characteristics based on their predecessor boards having different riding characteristics.

If you are currently riding a 160, I’d suggest going with the LWR as it will have a similar style (obviously with improvements!) so you’ll already be used to it and most likely the fins you currently have will work great with the new board. Don’t read too much in to the ’size’ of the boards … 168L is only 7L more than the 162, I think you’ll hardly even notice 7L in a formula board!

By: Jules

Jules — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:54:14 +0000

Does anybody have have any information how there fins are laid up.
What weight carbon, what direction the cloth is laid in etc.

By: nemeth Lehel

nemeth Lehel — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:19:36 +0000

Hi Sean!
I see you testing formula HWR and LWR from Starboard. I am interested what fin will bee the best from deboichet.
I am 70 kilos and 167cm . I ride with severne code red 3 11m.
I hear the HWR is more stable but slower, LWR is faster but must keep board from more flying.
I racing, . I think buy lwr board, but I hawe dilema which is beter. I do not like the lwr is 168 litre. Is good for me HWR to?
For now I driwe starboard160 with R13 Medium.

Please tell me, what board is the best for me, and what fin for board.
I ride more on the lake, not to much chopy water, in wind 10-25 knots
best regards from Serbia

By: Filip333

Filip333 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:39:12 +0000

Hi,
great article! thanks a LOT!
filip

By: The Ultimate FW Board Tuning Guide | CarbonSugar.com - The Secrets of High Performance Windsurfing

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:55:26 +0000

[...] to the water. Don’t mistake a powerful fin for simply just an ‘upright’ fin; these are two different things. What the board requires is a powerful fin and the best way to do this is to try fins with little [...]

By: Sean OBrien

Sean OBrien — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:05:08 +0000

I’ve never heard of formula fins whistling, this is usually a common occurence on generic slalom fins (ie, ones that come with your board).

Fin whistling usually is because of the finish on the trailing edge (TE) of the fin.

Quoting Ian Fox’s words from the Starboard forum:

“Often if the TE is finished too symetrically, the waterflow “collides” as both sides of the flow come together off the back of TE. By angling the TE slightly, you minutely shorten the flow on one side, which disrupts the harmony of the flow/s, and they actually merge more smoothly, without the whistle, which in turn often can indicate some minor loss of efficency.”

What sought of fin do you have? I would imagine its not good to have a whistling formula fin; it doesn’t sound too efficient.

There’s a few discussions about this going on on the Starboard forum with some ideas on how to cure the problem.

http://star-board.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1466&highlight=whistle

http://star-board.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4113