Big Wave Quad fins

[Aruka]

Has anyone tried any of the big wave quads from Futures? There is the Pyzel Padillac set which look more conventional with the larger fins up front, smaller fins in rear and then there are the Billy Kemper and JJF sets which are tiny and have the unusual looking, super upright front fin tempates. The Kemper template still has slightly bigger fronts than rears but the JJF has the larger fins in the rear. Both the Kemper and JJF show 4.0 and 2.0 degrees of cant which seems pretty upright as well. All 3 sets have 80/20 fronts, 50/50 rears which is a combo I've never tried.

I've been running fiberglass EA's in my Padillac for a long time but last winter I went with a smaller, more upright set and I really liked the way they felt. The board was looser but also easier to control somehow. Like there wasn't as much resistance when making small adjustments at high speeds so it didn't feel like I was just along for the ride. I thought the smaller fins might not have enough hold and I was actually pretty nervous to try them on a solid day but they felt just fine. I think the board has so much inherent hold and speed that maybe it just doesn't need much fin area. Just thinking out loud. I'm not a big wave hell man but I do like to push it a little each winter.

@Pyzelsurfboards if you care to share some insight about any of these fins that would be really cool.

 

[Maz]

Of the unusual setups, this is what I have experience with. You'd think they'd lack drive, being tiny and upright, but they don't.

http://instagr.am/p/CiTjL_lBQb2/

 

[Aruka]

Of the unusual setups, this is what I have experience with. You'd think they'd lack drive, being tiny and upright, but they don't.

http://instagr.am/p/CiTjL_lBQb2/

The rears are larger than the fronts too? I might try the kemper set while cleanline has then discounted.

 

[Maz]

Yep, rears larger, and all are tiny.

The whole board/fin setup is a conundrum: hard edge all the way up, but still buttery smooth. Tiny, upright fins, yet ultra drivey.

 

[Aruka]

Im sure those channels dont hurt the drive. The paddy doesnt have channels but it feels like there is so much hold and drive off the rail that i think you just need enough fin to keep from slipping which apparently isnt much.

 

[Northern_Shores]

I drove him off the forum with this clever reply

 

[Duffy LaCoronilla]

I used these in an 8’6 Padillac….

Front….

Side Bite 4.35 - Futures Compatible (Solid Fiberglass)

( 2 Fin Set ) Futures Compatible - Solid Fiberglass: These side bite fins are designed to provide the maximum amount of performance when added to a single fin on 2+1 surfboards. A great all around template, these fins will provide that extra level of stability, projection, and hold you are...

www.trueames.com

Rear….

6-4 Rear Quad - Futures Compatible (Hexcore)

( 2 Fin Set ) Futures Compatible: These are a specialty rear quad set up using a 60/40 foil. This means they will be more powerful and excel in bigger surf.

www.trueames.com

 

[thekadvang]

Have used a set of stretch gun fins (super old with the OG "S" logo) for years in boards 8'0"+ and they work insane. boards relatively nimble for the size, no issues with drive/hold

4 equal size small fins, 50/50 rear foil with probably 80/20 front foil. closest in template to the pyzel fins but with a bit more stretch beak

intrigued by the even more upright fins a la Maz or the JJF gun fins but also not trying to fix what ain't broken in bigger waves

will try and take a pic later

 

[money4coffeeman]

I have a set of the Padillac fins and like them in my 7'10 Padillac, more so the the EA's I used in it previously (and in most of my other big wave boards). The padi fins were just a touch looser and smoother. Maybe psychological, as these were the "fins designed for the board" but I'll keep the padi fins in the 7'10 Padillac.
For my 7'4 Padillac (picked up used in great condition) I go back and forth between the EAs and Padillac fins, haven't decided which ones I like better.
For my 6'10 mini padillac l, I like the EAs better.. felt faster and more in control, but I am surfing way smaller waves with the mini padi than the padis.

I would also love to hear what @Pyzelsurfboards can say about the above big wave fin alternatives and also what fins he recommends for the smaller (7'4 and below) Padillacs and mini-Padillacs.
Thanks

 

[Aruka]

I have a set of the Padillac fins and like them in my 7'10 Padillac, more so the the EA's I used in it previously (and in most of my other big wave boards). The padi fins were just a touch looser and smoother. Maybe psychological, as these were the "fins designed for the board" but I'll keep the padi fins in the 7'10 Padillac.
For my 7'4 Padillac (picked up used in great condition) I go back and forth between the EAs and Padillac fins, haven't decided which ones I like better.
For my 6'10 mini padillac l, I like the EAs better.. felt faster and more in control, but I am surfing way smaller waves with the mini padi than the padis.

I would also love to hear what @Pyzelsurfboards can say about the above big wave fin alternatives and also what fins he recommends for the smaller (7'4 and below) Padillacs and mini-Padillacs.
Thanks

Thats pretty helpful because my padillac is a 7-10 also.

 

[money4coffeeman]

Was a while back but I put up some photos comparing the EAs and padi fins and some thoughts (and confusions!).

Pyzel Mini Padillac

Not easy, aye, MFCoffee! This is the board the fins were made for. It's sitting in FR76's shed at the moment, so I can't give you any details or ride reports yet. Beautiful board Maz. Reminds me a bit of some (Brewer disciple) Lyle Carlson "Turbo" models I've seen here. Should go well...

forum.surfer.com

The JJF fins above are really interesting. The rears look like they're set pretty far forward (look how much futures base is behind the trailing edge), I'd guess to keep them from being too stiff. They look well thought out.
I wonder if the fin box placement stays the same for JJFs padis if he's using these fins?

 

[doc_flavonoid]

Have used a set of stretch gun fins (super old with the OG "S" logo) for years in boards 8'0"+ and they work insane. boards relatively nimble for the size, no issues with drive/hold

4 equal size small fins, 50/50 rear foil with probably 80/20 front foil. closest in template to the pyzel fins but with a bit more stretch beak

intrigued by the even more upright fins a la Maz or the JJF gun fins but also not trying to fix what ain't broken in bigger waves

will try and take a pic later

i have those fu stretch gun fins in my buzzgun. i think they are all 4.0. maybe a touch larger. they are great fins. they hold in critical sections but really open up when you want to turn.

ea's are way stiffer by comparison. ran them in a couple semi guns over the years but always wound up pulling them for the stretch template

 

[freeride76]

Thats interesting, I've always run the EA's in my semi-guns and never felt the need to change.

100% trust in that fin set.

Might have to start searching alternatives now.

 

[surfride1977]

Interesting thread! It seems like several of the big wave quad designs are trending smaller, more upright/less rake.. I'm no big wave hellman but I do have 7'4 and 8'0 Padillacs with the Padi fins sets, never tried switching them out because they feel so good.

I believe the Padi quad rears are double foil but the EA rears are flat foil(?)

 

[money4coffeeman]

Yes, EAs are single foiled (flat inside foiled), both fronts and rears.

 

[JDJ]

The Pyzel template with the 50/50 reads and 80/20 fronts and “normal” looking size and rake seem like a winner for the typical surfer that wants a big wave quad. The JJF and Kemper sets are pretty far out and I doubt anyone on this forum is even looking at maxing WB, Jaws, North Shore outer reefs. So not sure how applicable these fins are.

 

[Aruka]

Sh1t i just ordered a set of the kempers, does this mean i have to paddle out at jaws now?

 

[Duffy LaCoronilla]

Sh1t i just ordered a set of the kempers, does this mean i have to paddle out at jaws now?

Yes. As soon as they come in.

No surf in the forecast so you should be ok.

 

[Aruka]

Yes. As soon as they come in.

No surf in the forecast so you should be ok.

 

[JDJ]

When you paddle out and immediately take a 40 foot wave on the head and snap your leash, at least you’ll know that you had the right fins for the occasion.