Welcome to the series #3 of Fin test
In this series you will find 3 fins back to back test. Criteria of the test procedure is following.
- Initial board side to side effect
- 1min/1min rest both direction
- Keeping stroke rate at 51-53SPM average
- Level 3 HR zone.
- 3-4min rest and changing the fin and quick logging the memo
- Two fin box location for in-depth testing. All fin test will be place in the middle of the fin boxes.
- Condition for base line is to be medium bump with some wind
- Board: 2020 Infinity Blackfish Dugout 14×24 (297L) -Custom shape board
- Paddle: Quick Blade U-V82 (71.5″ length)
- Rider: 175lbs, 5′-7″
I will try to make simple as possible but also enough data for those may want to understand in depth.
Fin selection
For the test fin we are using following:
- Black Project Maliko V2
- Stavron (Infinity)
- Larry Allison GTX
- Larry Allison Gladiator Fury (Original Fibre version)
In order to facilitate this test as close as we can I chosen a similar surface area fin. This was to minimize the deviation and fairness of the test.
| Maliko V2 | GTX | Gladiator Fury | Stavron | |
| Depth (cm/in) | 24 / 9.45 | 22/8.75 | 19 / 7.5 | 19 / 7.5 |
| Area (cm3 / in²) | 283 / 43.9 | 316 / 49 | 336 / 52 | xx / xx No data |
| Cord (cm / in) | 15 / 5.9 | 26 / 10.25 | 22.86 / 9 | 20.32 / 8 |
| Fin Base (cm / in) | 17.5 / 6.9 | 14.6/5.75 | 19 / 7.5 | 17.14 / 6.75 |
| Leading Curve | 14.6 / 5.75 | 12.7 / 5 | 16.51 / 6.5 | 16.51 / 6.5 |
| Leading Edge (degrees) | 35° | 45° | 45° | 45° |
Fin is more complicated than you think if you spend time and understand how fin works. Fin can actually works on your favor or against your favor in many ways. Visual appetite can be deceiving and you will be surprise how it performance differently.
Fin test results
In this blog we are not going to discuss about how fin are designed and foiled. We cover that in later in this series.
With no further due here is a Speedcoach results of each Fin follow by this order.
- Black Project Maliko V2 -Front fin box and Rear fin box
- GTX -Front fin box and Rear fin box
- Gladiator Fury -Front fin box and Rear fin box
- Stavron -Front fin box and Rear fin box
Black Project Maliko V2
GTX
Furry
Stavron
Above is all you need to know the base line of fin test results. I know you are still thinking are you sure you duplicate the Black Project data? I did not and let me share you the time stamped version for you. I’m was surprised about the data after view the results on speed coach.
Conclusion
I personally I didn’t had no expectation of results but I just want to make sure I paddle fair and square for the test. One of my great skill is ability to paddle consistently with the right averages of SPM . Having to paddle with consistently the same rhythm of stroke is easier said and done. Pretty happy with all the 8 runs with great average stroke rates.
Having a two fin boxes is very useful to see the effect of the fin performance. Depending on size and foil of the fin you can be under fin or over fin. Here is a chart of results
| Maliko V2 | GTX | Fury | Stavron | |
| Front Fin Box (U) | 0.085m/5.078mph | 0.096m/5.7710mph * | 0.088m/5.257mph | 0.087m/5.234mph |
| Front Fin Box (D) | 0.094m/5.637mph | 0.094m/5.637mph * | 0.098m/5.861mph | 0.098m/5.883mph |
| Rear Fin Box (U) | 0.091m/5.413mph | 0.093m/5.548mph | 0.090m/5.3697mph | 0.087m/5.234mph |
| Rear Fin Box (D) | 0.095m/5.704mph | 0.096m/5.771mph | 0.097m/5.794mph | 0.099m/5.950mph |
| BP Maliko V2 | LA GTX | LA Gladiator Fury | Stavron | |
| Stability Test (F) | Worse | Better | Better | Worse |
| Stability Test (R) | Worse | Better | Better | Worse |
| Upwind (F) | Lighter feel on governor. No power hold to glide | Power hold at base. Lighter feel and glide | Wind condition changes but felt like Maliko | Felt smoother than Fury or Mailiko |
| Downwind (F) | Lighter feel on governor. Smoother and Faster | Power hold at base. Lighter feel and glide | Felt better than Maliko. Glide was better. | Smooth and speed was good |
| Upwind (R) | No governor Feel. | Power hold at base. Lighter feel and glide | Felt like Maliko. Wider base was noticeable and governor feel | Felt like Maliko and slightly better. |
| Downwind (R) | No governor Feel. Felt smooth | Power hold at base. Lighter feel and glide | Felt smooth as GTX and felt like Maliko | Felt like Maliko and slightly better. |
Interesting about testing with various of fin is you really get to know how you feel and what results are within same proximity of conditions.
So how do I feel about this bigger fin test? This was little more confusing than my prior fin test. Although if I think about how I felt under my board versus the results, Larry Allison’s GTX wins an overall best performance. All fin across the downwind has very un-noticeable change to even compare. I know fact that even at smaller fin test it was the same results.
If you go back to the other blog, upwind always find to be a better performance with right fin as well. In small fin LA Kicker and large fin LA GTX both were comparable spec for the fair testing.
One of the interesting results is the Stavron fin. This fin seems to be the hacked up version of LA Ninja fin which remarkable did best downwind on both of my fin box. But surprisingly upwind in both fix box I was able to pull same speed. This is primary problem the base of the fin has no hold therefore release too fast and de-accelerate the speed.
I know you thinking right now saying really? Does it work on my board better? As we continue to do additional fin test I will share the thoughts on what you need to know.
So what’s next?
Upcoming test is Black Project Sonic V4.1 , VMG Mako 28 and LA Dolphin Mini.
You want see extended version of data since all 4 fins was marginally close. We will skip and go to the next fin test.
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