Welcome to the series #1 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 Tiger V2
- Larry Allison Dolphin Mini
- Larry Allison Stinger Kicker
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.
| Tiger | Dolphin Mini | Stinger Kicker | |
| Depth (cm/in) | 20 / 7.87 | 15.9 / 6.25 | 16.5 /6 .5 |
| Area (cm3 / in²) | 216 / 33.5 | 187 / 29 | 206 / 32 |
| Cord (cm / in) | 14 / 5.5 | 17.8 / 7 | 20.3 / 8 |
| Fin Base (cm / in) | 16.5 / 6.5 | 14.6 / 5.75 | 7 / 7.8 |
| Leading Curve | 61 / 2 | 9.5 / 3.75 | 13 / 3.5 |
| Leading Edge (degrees) | 35° | 40° | 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 Tiger -Front fin box and Rear fin box
- Dolphin Mini -Front fin box and Rear fin box
- Stinger Kicker -Front fin box and Rear fin box
Black Project Tiger V2
Dolphin Mini
Stinger Kicker
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
| Tiger | Dolphin | Stinger Kicker | |
| Front Fin Box (U) | 0.083m/4.944mph | 0.085m/5.100mph | 0.084m/5.0338mph |
| Front Fin Box (D) | 0.096m/5.771mph | 0.097m/5.791mph | 0.099m/5.096mph |
| Rear Fin Box (U) | 0.083m/4.944mph | 0.085m/5.078mph | 0.088m/5.257mph |
| Rear Fin Box (D) | 0.096m/5.771mph | 0.101m/6.017mph | 0.101m/6.040mph |
Here is a chart result of my personal feel of the fin from one to others
| Tiger | Dolphin | Stinger Kicker | |
| Stability Test (F) | Better | Good | Excellent |
| Stability Test (R) | Worse | Good | Excellent |
| Upwind (F) | Governor feel was less than rear | Under fin due to high volume of the board | Base of fin too wide and feeling the depth of the fin |
| Downwind (F) | Felt smooth with limited top speed | Top speed and speed increase compare to Tiger | Base of fin too wide and feeling the depth of the fin. Still felt much better than Tiger |
| Upwind (R) | Governor feel was noticeable | Felt smooth with good speed/glide | Best upwind speed/glide compare other fins |
| Downwind (R) | Felt smooth with limited top speed | Felt equally fast as front fin box. | Felt good as Dolphin and top speed was much better and less de-accerlation |
I was quite surprised to see that Black Project Tiger fin had restricted top speed. One of the reason keeping mid pace is to allow the proper time for board to glide. This results itself doesn’t mean that fin is not for you. I think putting these three fins on upcoming sprint test could be interesting results and something to talk about.
What I know is that Tiger fin is very upright fin and becoming more pivot fin with small cord length and much less of foil. Relatively small differences of spec and foil can change results in many ways.
Even placing Larry’s Dolphin and Stinger Kicker fin in either of the fin box can results of different feel and outcome. With this test I can say that Stinger Kicker is still taking home the win. Condition do matter and I think this test was not pure glassy condition yet most would consider flat condition.
If you are interested here is link the Stinger Kicker fin at Paddle surf warehouse . Also Larry Allison’s available products page from them.
So what’s next?
Upcoming test is Black Project Maliko V2 and Stealth Ninja as candidate but all TBA at this point.
So the meantime next series is extended version of this blog to bring more extra data.
If this series interests you please follow here or follow me at my facebook JuneTheMachine
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Here is a overlay of the fin to see differences
