5 Fin Surfboards: Enough Fin For Ya?

Filed in: Surfing Trends | On: July 8th, 2007 | Comments:
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The other day I was at the book store reading the current issue of Transword Surf magazine (I think it was Transworld) when I stumbled upon an intriguing article on the new trend of routing 5 boxes in your new board. The article wasn’t talking about some weird 5 fin bonzer or experimental surfboard. It was referring to a board with a thruster setup. And Quad fins. The recent popularity of quad fins surfboards has created a large movement of open eyed surfers who have added an extra fin and gotten rid of the one in the middle for way more speed and quicker turns and snaps. However, the majority of hardcore thruster setup enthusiasts are still somewhat apprehensive to fully embrace the four fin setup. A number of these ‘on the fence’ quad adopters have experimented with 5 fin boxes which allow you to ride your board both with a quad or thruster fin setup. For those that have been stubornly downplaying the advantages of four fins, the 5 fin box allows you to put the quad setup to the test. Go ahead and ride your thruster first and then switch them out with a quad fin set (Future quad fins seem to be the most popular here in Hawaii). And remember, give your quad setup several sessions for you to acclimate yourself to the increase in down the line speed and much more responsive turns. Like the not so old adage goes, “don’t knock it till you try it”.

Besides getting hardcore thruster believers to try quad setups, the 5 fin box is also providing new school surfers with a much versatile board. You can use your quad in quick beach break surf and go back to your trusty old thruster setup when you need a little more drive and not as much speed (what idiot doesn’t need more speed besides Mick Fanning). The aspect I really like about this versatility is that your board stays the same. Same rocker, outline, thickness, foil, rails, and every other minute detail. You don’t have to re-adjust to the actual board when switching between quad or thruster. In essence, you only need to get used to the different fin setup characteristics and feel. The only slight downside to having 5 boxes is that it may make your board slightly tail heavy (depending on the size of your board and glass job) but I personally don’t think most surfers will even feel the difference in weight. In my opinion, the extra weight is definitely worth the versatility and fun that you’ll achieve.

17 Comments »

T Kup, on September 17, 2007 @ 7:02 pm |

I agree about the advantage of having more versatility. But what I am kind of concerned about is that when shapers try to make a quad setup and thruster setup out of the same fins, they may sacrifice the alignment of both setups to achieve a middle ground. Do you know if it is as simple as adding a center fin to a quad fin setup, or is the quad fin setup kind of altered to make it work as a 3 fin setup too? I’d rather have it one setup than 2 that don’t work that well.

Neal, on September 18, 2007 @ 6:24 pm |

T Kup, the fin placement is the same. The front quad fins match a normal thruster placement. The only change is you add the rear quad fins farther back. Thus, you can go between thruster and quad setups without screwing the board up.

T Kup, on September 19, 2007 @ 5:01 am |

well then that sounds like a hell of a deal huh. As long as you don’t mind dragging along two empy fin boxes all the time, although the drag is probably insignificant. You’d think though that FCS would have an advantage over the longer Future fin boxes. some kind of plug would be nice to put in there when your not using them.

T Kup, on September 19, 2007 @ 5:02 am |

Although I thought I heard the front Quad fins were supposed to be moved further up on the board than the the usual tri fins.

Neal, on September 19, 2007 @ 4:12 pm |

T Kup, the empty plugs won’t make a difference unless you’re Kelly Slater and can feel minute changes. I personally can’t even tell I have extra plugs although your board may feel slightly tail heavy with 5 boxes. I’ve ridden my board a few times and can’t tell any difference.

Regarding the fin placement, my shaper uses the same fin setup and measurements and the board just rips. I’m sure other shapers may have their own theories on it. Best advice I can give you is go to your local shaper and ask him yourself.

T Kup, on September 20, 2007 @ 3:48 am |

cool thanks Neal.

Thruster Converted to Quad, on October 5, 2007 @ 5:11 pm |

[...] I decided to listen to my own advice and try a 5 fin surfboard. I have been riding my TORE Rocket Fish (thruster setup) for a while now and have gotten very used to the board. It has performed well in a variety of conditions both weak and crumbly to overhead and sucking. I have noticed however, that in weaker mushier surf, the thruster had a tendency to bog on turns. It was as if the board used all its speed to complete a simple turn. After having a discussion with Kent Senatore of TORE Surfboards, I decided to try the quad. He absolutely loves his quad and the big difference he feels is how much faster the board works in weaker surf. [...]

Tony Hill, on December 11, 2007 @ 6:49 am |

I’ve ridden a quad since back in Cocoa Beach in 1983. Mine is a vintage Rainbow, shaped by Doug Wright. Awesome design. There is a REASON quads are getting hot again. Now, I only wish I could find him to shape me a new one!

I’ve surfed a number of boards, of all fin configurations, but this board, by far, has been my favorite. Everyone looks at it’s short, wide profile, and thinks it’s slow, then I take off and shut them up.

The only problem for me is as I grew into full adulthood, I outgrew this board. I’m simply too heavy for this board. When I can catch a wave, I rip just like I was still 16, but catching waves is very tough on this stick.

Now I’m looking for a shaper to make me a 6′ 4″ quad of similar design as my old board. I’ve got a 6′ 4″ thruster, and it’s OK, but not as loose OR (surprisingly) as fast as the 4-fin.

If anyone has any recommendations on a shaper or company who excells in making quads, email me at tonyhill@tidalwave.net. Or if you know how to contact Doug Wright.

-TH

McKee, on May 25, 2008 @ 9:08 pm |

I see that this type of quad setup is going to inherit some problems from the old days.
Back fins too close to the rail need reduced sized fins to work..or rear fins toed-in at angles to stop the rails from locking in and bogging.
This setup works well if you have momentum in a bottom turn but when turned flatter feels skatey and has more of the so called ‘twin-finned feel’. Also the interchange between turns is delayed with a feeling like you are stuck on one tack rather than a fluid rail to rail transfer.
The pivotal qualities are also reduced with this old style positioning. A very ‘hit and miss’ combo.
A board with five plug positions is an excellent setup but I think that the positioning shown here will not do quads justice.
As with the flaws in Thrusters, riders of the quad shown here will adjust to the imperfections and possibly still love them for the new sensations. In the old days it was “One strike and your out”.

For a different take, check…
http://www.mckeesurf.com/brucemckee/multisystem.htm

G. Campbell, on June 15, 2008 @ 2:31 pm |

Whoever wrote that BONZERS ARE SOME WEIRD BOARD has never built one or never surfed one and should shut UP until they ride one . THEY BLOW ALL BOARDS AWAY

Neal, on June 15, 2008 @ 9:33 pm |

G. Campbell, take it easy dude. Perhaps weird wasn’t the best word but you can’t say that bonzers are the best. If they’re the best why aren’t all the tour guys riding them? Different folks for different strokes…some like twins, others quads, single fins, tri’s, bonzers, or what other fin configuration there is out there. That’s the great thing about surfing…many different ways to ride a wave.

Why don’t you send me a bonzer and I’ll see for myself…

g.campbell, on August 7, 2008 @ 9:03 am |

The only reason most pros don’t ride bonzers is that most there sponsers only shape crusters an they don’t want to shape bonzers cause they take longer to build an that means less money for them .
An people like Davey miller have been riding them for years .Yeah i agree not one size or shape works for all .

Professor, on October 8, 2008 @ 6:15 am |

Came across this debate while looking for a guide to making your fins. I have two bonzers, a three fin vintage and five fin egg, both fantastic fun (and I’m a shocking surfer!) I’ll back G. Campbell’s comment 100% IMHO they are better than anything else out there, just missing the promotion and open mindedness of others to them. If you want to get the low down check out the new issue of Surfer’s Path. It has an in depth interview with Malcolm Campbell (no relation G???) which explains all.

Professor, on October 8, 2008 @ 6:18 am |

P.S. I know for an absolute fact that Kelly that hassled Al Merrick for a long time to make him his own Bonzer model but to no avail. Too expensive to mass market - which they’d have to if Kelly rode them - is one excuse among many.

Jaime, on December 9, 2008 @ 3:59 pm |

I like the 5 fin boards. I have been surfing a 5 fin borad since 1992. In 1995 I had a 5 fin board made by POI DOG Surfboards here in Huntington Beach, CA. It works cool. I am going to get a new 5 fin box fins board, so I can use it either as a thruster, a 4 fin and 5 fin board, all of the best arrangements in one.
I think 5 fins are more stable for larger waves, 4 fins do the trick in smaller waves, and the thruster is a bit looser than the 5 fin board in big waves. Each to its own water conditions.

arian, on February 7, 2009 @ 4:16 pm |

bonzers are the best board you will ever ride. why? as fast as a single fin… but the little angled side fins end up straight down in the water when you get the board on edge so they turn better than any straight fin …thruster. bonzers are so fast. they turn amazing and you DONT HAVE TO WORK or pump the board to get some speed. you dont need a set up turn or even a big bottum turn off the drop in. top turn and go! put a little weight on your front foot and its like going into overdrive. ask any pro about the single to double concave bottom and they’ll tell you it really works. they can’t be mass produced on a cnc machine so none of the big corparate company’s promote them…almost every pro…slater, machado, burrows.. owns one that they ride when they’re not on tour. they are paid to ride they’re thruster. plus it would be hard to score the wave if you just turned and shot down the line, clearing sections easily with no big effort. no ones used to seeing that clean of surfing. try one and you’ll get it. dont let computers shape your board!

hes, on February 21, 2009 @ 8:07 am |

Hi Guys,
I am shaping my first board now, have been surfing since 2000. It’s a 6′7 egg, i want to surf it thruster and sometimes single. I normally surf with fcs. what kind of centerbox do you recommend and is it placed on the same spot as normally with a thruster set-up? (can i adjust the placement of the small fin in the big finbox when i go thruster?)

question 2; when making concave; is it true that when making single to double concave you dont have “V” at the nose? In other words; can you have “v” all the way and single concave on a board?

Some questions may sound stupid, but I in live in The Netherlands and there are not many good shapers over here..

grtz out of my garage!

hes.

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