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Equipment
Guides - Fins
Fins are an often over looked part
of a wakeboard, riders seem more content buying decorative
nuts to hold them to there board then then investigating what
type of fins would suit them most. Below are some tips on
choosing the right sort of fins for your board and style of
riding.
Function
Basically fins keep your board traveling in the direction
in which you point it, preventing it from freely rotating
on the water. They do this using vertical depth and the shape
of the foil, or profile, of the fin
from front to back.
- Wider foils move more water and create drag and lift under
your feet
- Thinner foils push less water and let the fin guide your
board without resistance
Depth and Base
Rocker and fin hole placement should be considered when
selecting a fin depth.
- Extra rocker pulls the fin up out of the water and compromises
hold, as will a wider fin setting
- Elongated bases address rocker problems, giving the water
a snowy feel and giving shallow fins more surface area for
effective cutting and tracking
- Measure the rocker and fin holes in a complete board that
feels comfortable to you and compare it to those in a new
board you're thinking about buying.
Boarding Conditions
- If you board in often rough conditions larger fins will
provide hold and control while you're bouncing around in
the chop
- For smooth, clear conditions, the maneuverability of a
smaller, thinner fin is preferred by most boarders
Styles
In general, a ramp style fin is a good place to start. It is
considered the most universal of shapes, and seems to work for
a lot of different riding styles. Having a few sets of fins
can give you almost as much versatility as owning a collection
of complete boards. A long base shape with different depths
and foils offer a great deal of riding variety.
- Sharper and deeper for choppy conditions or extra control
in new maneuvers
- Rampy and shallow for smooth, free-riding conditions
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