Fins Tested on the HELLFIRE as TRI and Quad

[Fritzkat]

I started riding the 6-4 HELLFIRE FST as a trifin using others suggestions to use the largest fin possible as the board is already set up to be loose and you want to stiffin it up.

AM-2s (TRIfin) (4.79 fronts with 4.5 rears) worked great. tested on 1.5X overhead waves. Drove As hard off the bottom I could lean into without my knees catching the wave and they held great. Cranking off the top/lips the fins held nicely power turning as tight as my body could contort in comfort zone. Pumping down the line easily captured the speed I wanted for each manuver ahead. I knew if I had better knees I would be attempting airborn missions no problem with that speed. I cant wait for a decent backside day soon to test my heavy back hand carve displacing bathtubs of water.
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Stamps (QUADfin) 4.54 fronts with 4.0 rears) tested at Head high + waves. These fins worked best on a point break and absolutly flew down the line on any pump, sometimes a little too fast for me to read the wave ahead. I feel the back fins might be a little large for the waves that day as I was not getting the release I wanted out of them.
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Next test...Stamps fronts 4.54 maybe switch the Stamps 4.0 rears out with the Rusty 3.85 rears. On a bigger day I might Pair these Stamps rears 4.0 with the AM-2 fronts 4.79.

[iggy]

Great!!! thanks alot for the update!!.Lokks like somebody was having fun!!

[Fritzkat]

Just tested Hellfire with Rusty Quad fin set up (4.54 fronts with 3.85 rears) . on moderately weak Head High windswell. I am really loving these Rusty fins, very responsive, speed generating and surprized myself and did some quick snaps off the lip, allowing the tail to punch out, with some very tight cutbacks Must be the release in the fin tips. Rather than High Bred with a stiffer fin, the Looser Rusty set made the Hell fire seem like a regular HP short board but super easy paddle and entry into the wave.
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Can't wait for another session, I am dry docked for now until this muscle spazm in my back releases. I was going beyond my trained mid life limits and (too much coffee, poor diet, wrong Diet. I should stick to my Blood typer food group) woke up in a knot...... Wish I had married a massage therapist.

[hwork50]

Ok I am in on the fin test for the Hellfire as I have been racking my brain about this for a while. Here is what I have tried so far:

AM2's as a tri-fin set-up and thought they were too stiff for a medium sized 2-4 foot wave and that they would be better suited to a long drawn out point or something with some size.

Quad AM2's (15.9 area) in front and some quad 340's (8" area) in the back on a 4-7 foot day. They went amazing and if it were not so cold and getting dark I would have stayed out even longer. Great set up as I will be testing the 375's as well. (10" area) Just a bit bigger.

Called Futures today and asked what they recommended here is what they said: I told them I liked the K2.1 set-up in my DOM and they said that I should definitely ride it with the WCT's. I think they might be too small as they have 14.9" of surface area and the fact that they only come as a tri-fin set is concerning as I do not want to slide out.

JC1: (15.1 area thruster) Have not surfed but read somewhere that Hellfire's shipped with PC5's and that the JC1 is the closest thing to that. Just throwing that out there.

Simons SA3: (15.8 area) This is the fin that Nev rides, I believe, and is supposed to go really well in the hellfire.

I want to try the Stretch Quad set as it has an area of 14.52 and is comparable to the FCS SF4 fin. Think it could be a good step down from the AM2's when it is smaller as the AM2 is just too big for the smaller waves around here. (So. Cal)

I weigh 185 lbs and am 6'3 and have an FST Hellfire that is 6'2".

Lets keep testing fins and see if we can get this thing dialed in.

Brent

[Fritzkat]

Brent, 2-4 foot faces? just checking what you call them..
Am-2' TRI on the Hell Fire needs room on Head high ++ I agree, otherwise too stiff and too big for the under shoulder high playful surf.
For me they work fine on the Dominator but need size+ on the hellfire.

Interested in seeing what you combo the AM-2's with. I will try AM-2 @4.79 fronts in a quad combo with rears of a F2Q4 3.75,
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OR
AM-2 @4.79 fronts in a quad combo with a Rusty 3.85 rears on a smaller days
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or a larger overhead day AM-2 @4.79 fronts with Stamps 4.0 rears
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or
a SA-4 4.36 (if i can get my hands on a set, they are out of stock everywhere retail)
The JC-1 I rode is a flat stiff fin should carve hard on hollow waves. maybe a step down from the AM-2 with more hold, I did not like them on my PU board in the past unless it was a seriously hollow wave.

The quad 340's what set is that from? Is that a sidebite set?



AM2's as a tri-fin set-up and thought they were too stiff for a medium sized 2-4 foot wave and that they would be better suited to a long drawn out point or something with some size.
Quad AM2's (15.9 area) in front and some quad 340's (8" area) in the back on a 4-7 foot day. They went amazing and if it were not so cold and getting dark I would have stayed out even longer. Great set up as I will be testing the 375's as well. (10" area) Just a bit bigger.
Called Futures today and asked what they recommended here is what they said: I told them I liked the K2.1 set-up in my DOM and they said that I should definitely ride it with the WCT's. I think they might be too small as they have 14.9" of surface area and the fact that they only come as a tri-fin set is concerning as I do not want to slide out.
JC1: (15.1 area thruster) Have not surfed but read somewhere that Hellfire's shipped with PC5's and that the JC1 is the closest thing to that. Just throwing that out there.
Simons SA3: (15.8 area) This is the fin that Nev rides, I believe, and is supposed to go really well in the hellfire.
I want to try the Stretch Quad set as it has an area of 14.52 and is comparable to the FCS SF4 fin. Think it could be a good step down from the AM2's when it is smaller as the AM2 is just too big for the smaller waves around here. (So. Cal)
Lets keep testing fins and see if we can get this thing dialed in.
Brent

[core personal training]

ok, so, Nevs call on his 510 in futures...sa3's...this was updated to include am2's and even pancho's....remember, Nev is around 70kg's, so the hellfire needs some fin...more than your shortboards..what you like in other boards usually wont apply here...i love k2.1's and futures jc's for hi-perf boards..but i ride the same 510 HF at 90kg's...sa3's cover everything...1 foot grovel to huge..(too big for the board, but you gotta get ya thrills)..am2's work in big stuff but are not needed as the simons have as much projection but are still totally free...on a bigger version, i would only pick a fin of similar area or more..pancho's for example...the board seems to like a fin without a lot of rake as it is meant to surf freely...remember, the boards tail has amazing speed, hold AND drive...you want your fins to support that....not fight it....or fail to drive it....unless you weigh less than Nev, have very weak legs or ride a shorter version i would not personally look at smaller fins as a thruster...

fourfins...i will leave this to the diehard four skeggers who tinker with them...as far as i am concerned, unless you are mr-x or ke11y, the overall performance level drops compared to thrusters..(personal opinion)..but...sa4's work well to race on your forehand and wind through figure eights, exiting with as much speed as you entered with...unreal, but, not worth losing something in most other areas..again, thats just me...

[hwork50]

Fritzcat,

The faces were around 2-4 feet when I took it out with the AM2's and it went ok, but I felt like I was working really hard and that the fin was really stiff. The 340's that I used I believe are just some AM3's from another quad set that I happen to have. They are on the smaller side and are just the white ones.

I think you will be stoked with the smaller ones (Stamps) as the AM2 fin is so large that the smaller trailing fin would be a little looser and more fun. But then again it depends on the kinds of waves you will be riding.

I will be purchasing either Stretch Hex RTM quad at 14.5 for the smaller 3-4 foot waves and just use the AM2's for the bigger waves ++. My reasoning is exactly what you guys have brought up as the board likes a fin that does not have a lot of rake as Core said above.

Core, the SA3 is to close to the AM2's for me. I really would like to see the true differences as it seems to close to mess with. I would be willing to put in a small trailer with the AM2's to loosen it up and see how that goes.

Like most of you I am time challenged with 3 kids and multiple jobs to survive.

Brent

[prjwebb]

Has someone been measuring there fin positions and rockers etc? :D

[Fritzkat]

:D Helps me make a decision about the next board coming soon. Thats how I chose the Hellfire over the Subscorcher and the Stealth. I like the fin placement and rocker better
Has someone been measuring there fin positions and rockers etc? :D

[Fritzkat]

Funny Brent, I have three kids and multiple jobs.Time challenged, Been trying to keep in shape cross training when the waves are not available, I am looking forward to working out on the Carver Skateboard , I think it will be a good addition to muscle group work out, I have paddling covered with Total Gym, push up handles for the pop up and a few stairs to climb .
Like most of you I am time challenged with 3 kids and multiple jobs to survive. Brent

[iggy]

Funny Brent, I have three kids and multiple jobs.Time challenged, Been trying to keep in shape cross training when the waves are not available, I am looking forward to working out on the Carver Skateboard , I think it will be a good addition to muscle group work out, I have paddling covered with Total Gym, push up handles for the pop up and a few stairs to climb .

You have noooo idea!!

[hwork50]

It is good that we have a hobby like surfing because it will keep us young and in shape. Although the bad part is we need the waves and weather to cooperate so we can actually surf. I am glad that all of you can sympathize good stuff.

What do you guys think of the whole Stretch fins for a quad set-up and the AM2's for when it gets bigger set-up?

[Fritzkat]

I did not like the Stretch fins on the Dominator or the Quadra Five, so I sold them, Others like Chris like them. I would have considered using the Stretch rears in combo with the AM-2 fronts. Past that now.

[hwork50]

Ok, how come you did not like them?

What are your favorite fins in that particular board, the hellfire!

Brent

[Fritzkat]

Stretch wise, were on another PU board as a quad. made the board track too much. Stiff on head high . Tryed them on the dominator once and the Quadra five. before selling them. Id give them another try if I still had them.

So far for the Hellfire I like the AM-2's (Tri) the best. Jury is still out for the perfect Quad set. I have been riding the Rusty's with good response. I want to try the Panchos or SA-4

[hwork50]

I just picked up some 375 quad fins for the back and they might be the ticket with the AM2's in front.

Brent

[Chris]

I just rode it as a quad last night with a little knub trailer. reallllllly liked that, though I am still not great on the hellfire. I keep riding it in surf i should be riding my potatonator. I think it likes better surf....

[hwork50]

Yeah, I was going to ride it today but it was 2-4 ft with some chop so I took the Dominator. That was a good choice, but it was choppy which the DOM does not like. Oh well, maybe this weekend I can get something with the AM2's.

[Slowman]

I find my HF handles chop just fine - though I don't mean onshore slop. A bit of cross shore chop or even onshore so long as the wave still has shape, once it is an obliterated mess the spit or the dom if I'm desperate. I think in most cases it is just our head telling us this is puke (probably for good reason LOL) but I found the dom and spit handle it as well as any other board I've had. I spent a lot of time earlier in the year riding anything because I was trying to rehabilitate after surgery so I wasn't too fussy and I can tell you I surfed the dom in some real puss and I think it made the best of the conditions. Always nicer in light offshore glass of course.

[hwork50]

Yeah, maybe I feel that the HF does a better job because it is a little heavier while the DOM is so light, at least in the FST version of the board. Yesterday was all crossed up so it probably did not matter what I was riding it would have been a bit messy. Kinda wish I had ridden the HF.

Oh well, next time.

[prjwebb]

Anyone tried the FEA or F4 fins on the Hellfire? My mate has a HF and only has a quad set and he's more of a thruster man. He's not keen to spend a fortune on fins as he has a new house and baby so I want to get him used to the board with a fin setup that's familiar but not a set that doesn't suit the board.
I've found both the F4s and FEAs cheap but don't know how well they'll work.
Thanks guys!

[core personal training]

mini me uses them in mine...i've jumped on after him in tiny stuff and they were ok...too small overall though...remember, even 70kg Nev uses sa3's and up...

[iggy]

For bigger days I got these AM2 and work pretty well.
For the average/small days the Solus work like a charm
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[hwork50]

Iggy, talk me through some of the differences in the AM2's versus the Solus?

Brent

[Chris]

foil foil foil. the souls are super deeply foiled increasing sensitivity and performance at slower speeds.

I really like this type of fin in higher volume boards but less so in my traditional shortboards....

[hwork50]

Anyone test out the SA4 Futures quad set or the Futures Stretch quad set on the Hellfire? I have the AM2 set but want a good quad set-up for the hellfire so that I can surf it when it is a little smaller.

Brent

[core personal training]

sa4 good for fast open forehand..too restrictive for small vertical stuff...sa3 then...

[iggy]

Iggy, talk me through some of the differences in the AM2's versus the Solus?

Brent

All right...where to start.Sorry for the delay I've been out of town for the past 3 days

AM2
Height: 4.79 in, 12.20 cm
Base: 4.70 in, 11.90 cm
Area: 16.16 sq in, 104.26 sq cm
A popular template for the light footed large surfer. The large base with medium tip helps with powerful bottom turns and releasing the fins off the top. Try this laid back template in wrapping point breaks.
Validated fin designs will always form our foundation. If you have muscle memory from riding glass-ons, flat foiled fins will feel the closest. F
SOLUS
Front Fins:

Height: 4.62 in, 11.73 cm
Base: 4.40 in, 11.18 cm
Area: 15.21 sq in, 98.13 sq cm



Rear Fin:

Height: 4.71 in, 11.96 cm
Base: 3.38 in, 8.59 cm
Area: 13.00 sq in, 83.87 sq cm
The Solus is designed with a literal twist, increasing the angle of cant and tow from base to tip, while a Carbon/Texalium structure gives the fin a progressive flex. The Solus drives and holds no matter where you throw your board, and will enable you to do crisp fluid rail to rail transitions and tight arcing turns without losing speed. A large laidback template for drive off the bottom and wrapping cutbacks..
V. Foils are designed to maximize lift with a minimal amount of drag. Fins with this V. Foils will find speed that you did not know was there, or help you get that extra gear to really find drive in your bottom turns. The leading edge of the fin is more rounded accepting more water flow at all angles of attack, and making the fin feel very fluid rail to rail.

[iggy]

Found the AM2 hold better on bigger conditions than the SOLUS and what makes the biggest difference here is the centre fin of the souls. That hatchet makes for the SOLUS to be a very fun set to ride on anything up to shoulder high. It releases off the top nicely and in control.Great fluidity and speed
The AM2 on the other hand is the kind of fin I put when waves gets over that. With enough punch and high speed these fins deliver powered and controlled maneuvers. Even though the flat foiled fins will release relatively easier than the V foiled ones, the centre fin on the AM2 gives you that extra hold on the bigger stuff, but when at speed they become lively

[hwork50]

Do you like the Solus better than the Rusty set?

[hwork50]

Do you like the Solus better than the Rusty set?

[Fritzkat]

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this is a repeat from another forum, but should be here. Just tested the Snubster I made on my 6-4 HellFire with AM-2 fronts 4.79" and combo with V2F4 3.75" rears. Head High day. ( had a kink in my neck so I was not as loose as I wanted to be,) However. there did not seem to be any noticeable drag and there was a bit more hold, board was reactive during a carve with little or no sliding sideways. Good hold. Neck started bothering me so I could not retest with out them in the box on those same waves.
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I have no need for fins any smaller on the front than the AM-2's therefore I will be selling my Rusty Trifin set. (keeping the quad rear) Rusty has too much flex in the tips for me.
I am looking for the following quad rears, Surfboardwarehouse.com is looking into it.
SA-4 quad rears and the AM-2 quad rears
also looking for the V2 Roberts trifin set

[jynxz]

Anyone had any experience with the True Ames Fins (http://trueames.com/shop/timmy-patterson-quad-futures-fins-1).

I bought a set of AM2s Futures for my new 6'4 Hellfire as I always rode my last one as a Thruster, but I just tried it as a quad and I really like it. I really fancy the Rusty R1's rears with AM2 Fronts (Thanks for doing all the hard yards on the research Fritz) but dont fancy shelling out for the whole Rusty set if Im not going to use them. So was thinking I can order the True Ames rears at half the cost, which seem similar dimensions (H:100 x B:98 vs H:98 x B:95 - Rustys) with the added bonus that I can get the True Ames rears in Yellow Hexcore to match the AM2 fronts, so will be just like a 5 fin set.

[silentp]

hey jynxz, I have bought futures fins in singles, pairs any combo you want,just ask your surf shop and they should be able to help, in OZ anyway.

[Chris]

great thread!!!

[jynxz]

Just tryed my new 6'4 Hellfire with the AM2's in the front and the True Ames quad rears and Im really liking it. Theyre just a tad bigger than the Rustys or the Stretch's which I found a bit too loose. Also the quality is excellent on them I have to say. I got the Hexcore ones to match the characteristics of the AM2's. I tryed them out for the first time today on waist high waves and they had plenty of drive but still felt loose enough to throw around easily. looking at the swell and hopefully Ill be trying them out on some head high + long point breaks tomorrow so cant wait.
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[Chris]

that looks like a pretty fun one...