SUP fins
Guide: Find the right SUP Finn
Buy the right SUP Finn
Finns are the subject of endless articles in magazines, in the SEA as well as in the surf sector, side-by-side forum discussions and hotly debated Youtube videos. Opinions differ as well as the results of SUP Finn tests.
Optimizing around SUP Finns is not just something for professionals who want to tickle out a few thousandths. Normal stand up paddlers can get a lot out of their SUP with the right SUP fin.
The fin does not fundamentally change the driving characteristics of a board. A short Wave SUP will never be a touring board. The fin will rather polish your SUP and improve the characteristics that are important to you.
In my article I will teach you the most important knowledge about the Finns, introduce perfectly matched SUP fins and show you how to attach your SUP fin.
While several Finns are frequently seen on surfboards, SUP boards usually have only one central fin.
First, some key facts about SUP Finns:
- Fin position: The further up the Finn is placed, the more revving your SUP board is.
- Surface of the fin: The larger the fin surface, the more grip and driving stability the fin offers. Negative is the low acceleration of the board and the poorer rotation. Tour paddlers and heavier paddlers should rather resort to a big fin. Race Finns are the best choice here. Light stand up paddlers and those who incorporate many twists and turns should prefer to resort to small areas.
- Thickness of the Finn: Thick Finns make you slower than thin Finns. However, thin ones are less robust. Of course, the SUP Finns should not break and sometimes can put off the collision with obstacles. Ultimately, it’s a material issue. More on that later.
- Length of the fin: A large fin surface improves straight-line stability. However, a large fin also provides frictional resistance and therefore slows you down. Small Finns achieve the highest speeds in theory, but are wobbly in straight-line running. Here a compromise must be found.
Later I will go into more detail about the shapes and material of the Finns.
The different SUP fin systems
With Stand Up Paddling Board, two systems have prevailed. The US box comes from surfing and is one system. On the other hand, there is the mating system on inflatable boards.
The best SUP Finns US Box System
The US box fins are very numerous. This fin system has existed for a long time and accordingly there are already many good Finns on offer.
Mistral Soft SUP Fin for US-Box
- Fin system: US box
The Mistral Finn for US boxes is the ideal alternative to the first standard fin, which is often top of the board purchase. The Mistral has three main advantages:
- The Finn is soft and flexible. For stones or other obstacles in the water, it does not break immediately.
- Due to the curvature little seagrass gets caught in the fin.
- The tip is soft, this reduces the risk of injury.
The fin in dolphin shape is also the ideal all-rounder. Suitable for just about anything that is not exactly a SUP race at full speed or a racy white water rafting, most Stand Up paddlers have become friends with this design.
Mistral is one of the premium brands in the SUP segment. The quality and, for example, the customer support is correspondingly good. After all, you do not have to pay more for this Finn than for other models.
Conclusion: The offer of Mistral deserves my unqualified recommendation. For a very fair price Mistral offers the ideal substitute fin, if your old one is broken or lost. The soft construction defies obstacles – from this Finn you have something longer.
ColdRiver SUP Finn US Box Size L Fin for iSUP and Hardboard
- Fin system: US box
With the SUP Fin, ColdRiver is making a solid model for US boxes. The SUP fin is suitable for inflatable SUPs and hardboards.
The dolphin construction has now established itself as the industry standard. Finns like Mistral’s ColdRiver or SUP Finn can be put to practical use across many applications.
Leisure, touring, training or SUP Yoga – with ColdRiver you are not doing anything wrong.
Conclusion: The ColdRiver is my savings tip when it comes to Finns for the popular US Box Standard. It serves as a great replacement for your old Finn. If you already had a similarly shaped fin before, the ColdRiver hardly changes the driving characteristics.
saruSURF US Box SUP Fin
- Fin system: US box
This race fin from saruSURF is a real speed upgrade for your SUP. The so-called sword design is an alignment to the straight ahead without compromise.
The high speed and the very stable straight-ahead driving comes at the expense of the revving of your SUPs. But for tours or if you just want to be really fast on the road, this should not play a big role.
There is a little hint for the twists. If you shift your weight backwards, you can use the sword fin to spin around your own axis much more efficiently.
Conclusion: This US box fin is a real appreciation when it comes to the speed. When driving straight, the Sword Finns are really good.
Mistral SUP Finn Honeycomb US Box
- Fin system: US box
Honeycomb could be the future of the Finns. The honeycomb structures of the fin allow manufacturers to save a lot of weight.
The clever construction, based on beehive architecture, does not lose its stability.
In this way, lightweight and stable SUP fins can be built that are still so flexible that they will not break at the first obstacle.
Conclusion: Whether future technology or not the Mistral Honeyomb SUP fin is a light, sleek and stable sword fin, with the proper speeds can be achieved. However, you participate in the development of the new technology by a relatively high purchase price.
The best SUP Finns for plug-in systems
The connector systems for Finns are a little less common.
The systems of well-known brands are compatible with each other. Naish fins on Nash boards but also on the boards of Aqua Marina, Fanatic, Red Paddle, BIC, JP Australia and co.
Unfortunately, plug-in fins are not always compatible with no-name fins.
Naish iSUP fin for plug-in system
- Fin system: plug-in system
Naish’s fin is compatible with the plug-in systems of all popular manufacturers: Naish, Bluefin, Red Paddle, JP Australia, BIC, Fanatic and Aqua Marina.
The fin in sword form improves in particular the straight line. With this model you will also achieve higher speeds. Fast turns are made more difficult by the elongated shape.
Conclusion: If you come from a crescent-shaped fin (dolphin shape), this Finn of Naish is certainly exciting for you. Especially for tours, the sword fins are very popular. Although the Finn is from Naish, she is priced in midfield.
Aqua Marina Dagger SUP Finn for plug-in system
- Fin system: plug-in system
The Aqua Marina Dagger Finn is a classic dolphin fin. This design is the all-rounder among the Finns. The dolphin fins are suitable for longer straight-ahead as well as curvy channels.
At 11 inches (28 cm), the Finn is very long, which especially increases the speed when driving straight ahead. In terms of maximum speed on straight stretches, this dolphin fin does not come close to sword fins.
Aqua Marina’s model is compatible with most other connector systems of well-known manufacturers.
Conclusion: Aqua Marina offers this SUP finely priced for its own and correspondingly compatible plug-in systems. The dolphin fin is a compromise between maneuverability and speed. However, the model of Aqua Marina is very long, so that the focus here is more on straight driving and a high top speed.
Mistral SUP Finn for plug-in system
- Fin system: plug-in system
According to the manufacturer, this fin is compatible with all standard connector systems of all manufacturers.
The design of the Finn of Mistral looks like a mixture of the models of Aqua Marina and Naish. As a half-dolphin and half-sword fin, the Mistral SUP fin mixes tipping stability and the speed of the straight sword fins with the agility of the dolphin fins.
The fin is a bit shorter (24.5 cm) than the aqua marina fin (28 cm).
After all, you will hardly notice a difference between this hybrid and a pure dolphin when driving.
Conclusion: Mistral has a special design on offer. For plug systems, the company offers a mixture of sword and dolphin fin for a fair price. It is an alternative to the classic all-round fin in dolphin form, which differs only slightly from the driving experience.
The best SUP Finns for Race Boards
Race board Finns are small and have a low draft. This means they offer little water resistance are accordingly fast, but also little tipping stability. Turns work really well with these Finns.
Siren Race SUP Fin
- Length: 30 cm
- Thickness: 0.6 cm
- Draft: 21.4 cm
- Weight: 248 g
- Fin system: US box
Want to make your race or touring board even faster? Then the SUP Race Finn from the German company Siren SUPsurfing is the best choice.
The thin fin and sleek design reduce water resistance so you can reach even higher speeds.
The fin system is the US box. At least 20.5 cm, your US box must be long. But with almost all SUP boards with US box fits the Siren Finn.
The relatively thin fin is robust and flexible thanks to a construction made of the materials nylon and plastic.
Especially handy I find the vault back, because so caught no underwater plants in the fin.
Conclusion: The Siren Finn is a top choice if you want to get even more out of your high-speed boards at SUP competitions or just want to beat your own record time on the next tour.
MFC Sprint – SUP Fin Race
- Brand: MauiFinCompany
- Length: 10.16 cm / 12.7 cm
- Weight: 120g / 135g
If you are happy to be convinced by results, you will be satisfied with Finn quickly. Kai Lenny won at the 2013 SUP Race World Championship. And he used the MFC Sprint Finn .
This model is even lighter than any previously introduced fins. With only 120 g (or 135 g) in the 4-inch (5-inch) variant, the weight is halved again to the Siren SUP fin.
The small size is somewhat at the expense of tipping stability. Experienced Stand Up paddlers can compensate for this with their skills. Beginners are with this Finn probably more often in the water.
Alternatively, the fin is also available in yellow as a 10.16 cm long version * .
Conclusion: Maybe you can not make it to the world record with this Finn. You can be fast anyway. And with the MFC Race Fin you are well equipped for it.
Common SUP fin shapes in the overview
The molds are an important element of fin construction. The different construction methods are surprisingly far apart. Sword-like Finns are available as well as hump-shaped middle fins or curved fins.
The shape is by far not just an optical detail. The different shapes are the result of complex simulations designed to improve driving characteristics. Due to the many factors in the calculations, deviant variables (like another subject) can cause dramatically different results in SUP Finn tests.
In the following table I present common construction methods and roughly describe the corresponding properties. I also always linked an example.
| SUP fin shapes | |
|---|---|
Aqua Marina 22.9 cm large central fin | dolphin:The curved dolphin is the standard form for SUP fins. Most Finns are shaped this way. In essence, the shape is a great compromise. The medium-sized surface and watershed edge ensure neat speed and good straight-line stability.Seagrass and other plants are hardly attached to the fin due to the curvature towards the stern. The dolphin is a great all-round shape, deservedly the most common model. |
FCS II SUP Touring Fin SUP US Box Fin | Wing:This fin shape is typical for touring boards. In straight-line running these Finns are hard to beat. The longer edge, however, slows you down slightly. Equipped with this fin, your board is perfect for shallow water. Rivers can not be traveled so well with the Wing Finn.If you want to equip a touring board with a fin, the Wing models are top. It is best to choose a short model (less than 9 inches) that does not have a steep angle. You expect more speed and less seaweed gets caught in the Finn. |
Mistral Honeycomb 9 “SUP Finn US Box | Sword:The sword shape is the uncompromising focus on straight-ahead driving. Along with that go losses in speed. For clean turns, you should shift your weight backwards.The sword is suitable for heavy paddlers who value the straight-ahead ride. However, I recommend a model with a flat angle, otherwise there will be so much seaweed hanging. |
Siren SUP Race Finn | Middle fin : This type of fins are very short. The short water cutting edge provides only a very low resistance, which is why – provided the right board – high speeds are achieved. These short fins are particularly suitable for long race or touring boards. |
SUP Finnish Materials – Which are the best?
The material significantly influences the stability, robustness, durability and weight of your Finn. In my opinion, the weight for beginners and advanced stand up paddlers plays only a minor role. The few grams more or less under the board you will hardly feel in the water.
Unlike backpacks, belt bags and anchors, where weight really matters, you’d better pay attention to their ruggedness. Otherwise, an unfavorable lying stone, pretty much go into the money.
In any case, you do not need super-light, modern fins. I advise to materials such as carbon, nylon, fiberglass or hard plastic / PVC. Finns made of these materials have prevailed. Most popular sports models are made from one of these materials.
Honeycomb SUP fins can also be exciting. The very light models are robust but also flexible.
Fastening the SUP Fin – How to attach Finns correctly
Attaching a SUP fin is usually not a big effort. If you practice it may take 15 seconds to half a minute. It is nevertheless an annoying activity, which is why I briefly list the necessary steps here. Maybe I will spare you such a frustration.
Attach SUP fin in US box
- Place the thread of the fin through the wide recess in the fin carriage. First slide the tile into the front part.
- First forcefully insert the fin with the rear end into the fin carriage.
- Now fold the Finn down completely.
- Place the thread plate just below the mounting hole of the fin and screw in both.
If you’ve lost the screw, you’ll probably find my mini SUPF Bolts Guide helpful.
Conclusion
Finn is not Finn – that’s what I should have made clear. There are different models for the different requirements. So that you can find your way through the jungle of advantages and disadvantages, there is this little closing word.
- Can you easily stand on the board, but your board is too slow for you? Try it with a short median fin.
- Do you paddle long tours on which it is primarily straight and more stability you think is good? Then reach for the long sword fin.
- Are you looking for a compromise or want to equip your first SUP board properly? Choose the allround fin with its dolphin shape.
Further reading
- Standup Pages, Fitting Quick Release QFR , April 15, 2016
- FuturesFins, Honeycomb
