Comments on: 5 Fin Surfboards: Enough Fin For Ya? http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/ Custom Surfboards, Shaper and Surfboard Reviews Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:03:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Jaime http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-23875 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:59:42 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-23875 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. 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.

]]> by: Professor http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-19271 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:18:12 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-19271 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. 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.

]]> by: Professor http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-19270 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:15:16 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-19270 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. 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.

]]> by: g.campbell http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-15294 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:03:25 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-15294 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 . 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 .

]]> by: Neal http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-12566 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:33:27 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-12566 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, 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…

]]> by: G. Campbell http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-12553 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:31:19 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-12553 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 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

]]> by: McKee http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-11568 Mon, 26 May 2008 07:08:35 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-11568 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 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

]]> by: Tony Hill http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-4695 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:49:13 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-4695 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 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

]]> by: Thruster Converted to Quad http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-2958 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:11:40 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-2958 [...] 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. [...] […] 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. […]

]]> by: T Kup http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-2605 Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:48:28 +0000 http://custom.surfboardshack.com/5-fin-surfboards-enough-fin-for-ya/#comment-2605 cool thanks Neal. cool thanks Neal.

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