Just have to share the stoke . . .

[Mirks]

Guys,

I frequently visit this forum as a multiple Firewire owner and enjoy the benefit of learning a tremendous amount about so many different models. Usually I do not post but today I simply have to!

Here is why. After a long deliberation I decided to buy a Sweet Potato. It was a 5'4" size for a 5'11" tall guy, 78kg, 42 years old of intermediate skill. My main concern was the length of the board as the shortest I surf is a 5'10" Twinny Fish. Nevertheless, I decided to open my mind (paying attention to the board volume rather than unusually short length) and get one.

So, I took it out on 2-3ft clean conditions. In all honesty, I was a little disappointed. Well, indeed as expected, the board paddled beautifully. It also straightaway felt a part of my body despite the small size, which was a nice surprise. It duckdived well and, again as expected due to the previous forum reviews, it turned awesomely. So why disappointment? Well, despite all the advantages the board simply did not feel to have enough acceleration from the start. Every single wave it just felt it needed time to pick up speed unlike my twinny. Another disheartening find was lack of looseness. It simply did not feel loose enough however hard I tried to move it about. I remember thinking:"Oh we'll, maybe I am expecting too much by wanting it to be as skatey as my twinny." So, I settled with that. The hope was, of course, that the next session would be different.

Unfortunately, it was not. 3-5ft slow moving junky conditions this time and although the board negotiated a number of flat sections incredibly well whilst maintaining all the above mentioned advantages, once again it just would not pick up speed fast enough. Once speed generated it did go though but that feeling of initial sluggishness was driving me nuts. So, I settled thinking maybe it's my surfing style that is incompatible with this design after all. The thought of parting with it definitely entered my mind but not before I try it with much acclaimed Indofins, Controller Quad model.

Today was my 5th consecutive session with the Indofins. And?

GOD O MIGHTY WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!

From the first wave with the Indofins, about a week ago until right now, I cannot stop smiling. The difference I found is profound to say the least! The board now picks up speed immediately. And every time. It turns as well as it did with SF4's but now it skates too!! It's beautifully and ever so effortlessly loose. Finally, no more hard trying or stressing when riding this board. Its intuitive, seemless and easy. I have surfed it now in 2-6ft conditions of various quality waves (approximately 40 rides) and have a strong feeling this will be my most frequently used stick. I am absolutely amazed that a board of this size commands such drive, speed, manoeuvrability, and control (particularly in a larger conditions than recommended).

I in no way intend to regard SF4's inferior to a Controller style fins for this board. I accept in most likeliness the Indofins simply suit my surfing style more. However, the difference experienced has been nothing short of shocking.

Firewire guys, I thank you for this, if not the prettiest, certainly the most intriguingly effective water craft I have ever had a pleasure of using. Cannot wait to get out on it again tomorrow!


Mirks

[Goanna]

Love your work Mirks! feeling stoked for you

[cuttlefish]

Only got 5 high tide 2'ers to test the Indo fins on this morning but I'll concur with you Mirks.
I liked the speed out of the gate and easy looseness with these fins compared to the Stretch's in the same kind of waves.
Definitely THE fins to have in the spud when its smaller.
I reckon I'll still use the Stretchs when its bigger or put in a rakier rear fin in with the fron Ido fins to gain hold in the tail.

[Fritzkat]

SF4's? = F4 futures?

[cuttlefish]

Stretch PC Futures.
God knows where I got that SF4 from????
Sorry about that.

[buzzy]

I haven't liked the indo fins controllers on my Dom so much, but I'm not much of an experimenter, and like thrusters. Good to have them in the kit though if I ever get a SP.

[Chris]

great stuff everyone!!

Thanks for the great words!

[prjwebb]

The FCS version is called SF4 Pete.

Sounds like I may have to order up a set of Controllers. My Sweet P should be here next week!

[A.Vern]

Great write up...

I found the same with the Indo's. The spud was amazing with SF-4's in bigger surf, but felt like it was dragging in the smaller stuff. Got a pair of Indo's and the little thing was flying like a rocket.

For those comparing... here's a shot with the SF-4's and Indo's.

Simply Magic.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg310/vernallis/IMG_0017.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg310/vernallis/IMG_0018.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg310/vernallis/IMG_0016.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg310/vernallis/IMG_0014.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg310/vernallis/IMG_0013.jpg

[hwork50]

Has anyone compared the INDO fins to the MRTX set-up? Just curious as the INDO fins may be the way to go.

Brent

[tre]

i felt exactly the same way when i first got the SP. had the stretch quads in it at first and it felt slow and slid too much, I was initially disappointed. got the controllers shortly thereafter and found myself riding the SP almost exclusively in anything under chest high. the controllers feel like they were made for this board. not sure what it is about them, but the controllers give you a familiar and reliable thruster type feeling.

[Bumper]

I have the controllers in futures and they have worked well from the start. The board is very explosive out of the gate and still very loose. My pnator takes over in stomach+ but the controllers really add another gear in small weak waves.

[Chris]

yeah bumps

[Erling]

Just placed an order for a set of Controller-Indo Fins :)

[hwork50]

What size medium or large?

[DGR]

I am also loving indo controllers on my SP.

Has any one else noticed a humming sound when speeding straight through a more hollow section? does that mean its dragging? My MRTFX did this too, but when going a bit slower. I never noticed this with my PC7s, indo controllers are my fav anyway.

[prjwebb]

Sand the trailing edge with some fine sandpaper

[buzzy]

What size medium or large?

They just come in the one size so far as I know. I do own a set and there was just the one size available. I'm not a fan so far but I don't think a Dom is the right board for that fin.

[iggy]

Sand the trailing edge with some fine sandpaper

yeah that will do the job,same happened on mine and the sanding fixed it

[cuttlefish]

If you have controllers in your spud and find the tail too loose in larger waves, put a set of rakier rear fins in.
Awesome.

[thisisharmless]

Those Indos remind me of lokbox speed dialer fins.

[cuttlefish]

Maybe in the fronts but the rears are nothing alike. The rear speed diallers fins look like they'd work best in a retro rider.
The rear controllers are much more aggressive.
Do you know if the speed diallers have the same cant on the front fins as the Futures controllers/Indo copies?
That's a part of what makes them so good. :-)

[csarqui]

Good recommendation Mirks. I purchased the Controllers based on this thread. They give my 5'4 Spud some much needed bite that gets the board going much quicker than before.

[Chris]

good to hear!!

[msteele]

I just want to post a quick thanks to Mirks for kicking this off and to everyone else who contributed to this thread. It was super helpful in focusing my board choices. It also lead me to some of the other tracks you've all laid down (pointing very directly at you cuttlefish) which were also very helpful.

Fingers crossed, I can hook up Potato (preferably Baked) before I head to Mexico in July.

[Erling]

Just got the Info fins, copy of Futures Controller quads. Haven't had the chance to try them out yet.... but they're a lot bigger than the PC SF4s I've been using in my 5'4 Potato, so there should definitely be more than enough speed and drive. Looks like it's going to be flat for a long time, but I'll give review of them as soon as I've tried them out.


796

[prjwebb]

Nice! Did you have to pay import fees ?

[Erling]

Nope, the seller marked the package with a value of 4$, so no VAT og other fees was added :D

bought them on ebay, from "dan2868"....

[Chris]

Good looking ones!

[prjwebb]

I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a set...

[iggy]

A little vid on the 5'2" potato futures controllers set. Levels are really low and the wave is not as it's full potential but that potato makes anything being fun!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7S3f6B5yBs

[Chris]

Iggy Mark just watched and was pumped!!!

[wmck9]

Indo controllers sound awesome so im ordering a set too! i think from the sounds of things most ppl have bought them in FCS however my sp has future fin boxes, has anyone ordered the indos in futures and needed to define the fin box depth ?

[prjwebb]

Futures make the Controller quad that Indofins make a copy of. If you have Futures you can go with the original Futures version.
Not cheap though!

[cuttlefish]

The one thing you have to keep in mind when forking out the big bucks for a set of Futures controllers is their high re-sale value on E(vil) bay.
So if by some chance you don't like them just put them on E(vil) bay and watch the bidding war erupt and launch a jihad on your starting price.

[pagey]

The Future Controllers are worth every penny on a Sweet or Baked Potato. What WAS expensive was trying many different sets of fins before the Controllers!

[prjwebb]

Yeah I know that feeling...

[cuttlefish]

The Future Controllers are worth every penny on a Sweet or Baked Potato. What WAS expensive was trying many different sets of fins before the Controllers!

Touche!

[Andy]

I've had my sweet potato for about 6 months now and started on the future controller fins. In fact, when I was purchasing the board I made sure I got the future plug setup so I could put a set of controller fins in. This was all based on the info in this forum and especially Nev's comments in relation to the fins (and the fact that he was using controllers himself). Yes, they are expensive, although I have to say this board (with these fins) is by far the best board I have ever ridden. It is just SO MUCH FUN. I haven't tried any other fin setup, but why would I. The sweet potato and controller fins are a match made in heaven. So stoked I got this board - I feel like a grommet again.

[iggy]

Iggy Mark just watched and was pumped!!!
No way!!!!!.
Got the potatonator across the border!!!!.Putting this baby to the test tomorrow morning before going to work!!

[Matt_s]

A little vid on the 5'2" potato futures controllers set. Levels are really low and the wave is not as it's full potential but that potato makes anything being fun!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7S3f6B5yBs

Iggy,

nice video!, couple of turns in there for sure got me pumped for the next session on my sweet potato, got c drives in mine but seriousley wondering about some indo controllers (will have to order when back from my trip)

was wondering if you have any safety tips for the go pro head strap cam? Iv just got myself one for a 6 week road trip to spain and was wondering how secure you think the product is as it stands, hopefully il get some good footage but im a gopro newby

thanks!

[cuttlefish]

Hi PRJ,
Just read your comments about the H2's elsewhere....ahem.
That dragging feeling in the small stuff is what I was getting out of a number of fin sets I've tried on my sweet potato in smaller waves.
No issue when it's a decent size BUT the small stuff is supposed to be the sweet potatoes forte.
We've all got other boards to ride in decent waves.
So....when I put the Indo controllers into my board in small stuff....zoom....straight from the takeoff effortless speed.
Pull the trigger already.
Lol!

[prjwebb]

Haha I know what you're saying. It's just a matter of time! The small waves I tried them in originally were really, really gutless and barely breaking, but today was headhigh plus, cross-shore with some chunky wedges but big flat sections between the steep parts. Admittedly I was out there thinking what the hell am I doing on the Potato, but a couple of ones I snuck into without too steep a take off the board went well. Stupidly fast and like a magic carpet over the flat sections. I had to pull back on a ton of waves that I would have enjoyed on a shortboard because I wouldn't have made the drop on the Potato though.

I'll give them another try in prime potato conditions and go from there. I'm going to try H2 fronts with the K2.1 fronts as the rears. Should be plenty of area for drive but hopefully with both being upright templates, release will be good.
Might be too much area and drag like hell though...

[iggy]

Iggy,

nice video!, couple of turns in there for sure got me pumped for the next session on my sweet potato, got c drives in mine but seriousley wondering about some indo controllers (will have to order when back from my trip)

was wondering if you have any safety tips for the go pro head strap cam? Iv just got myself one for a 6 week road trip to spain and was wondering how secure you think the product is as it stands, hopefully il get some good footage but im a gopro newby

thanks!858
Yeah I have a little strap that goes from the head strap to my neck and it has proven to be useful already

[cuttlefish]

I think the controllers (and copies) work so well with the wide tailed sweet potato because they have most of the area in the front fins so you've got most of the drive from the front fins on the rail and upright fins on the rail in the rear providing a bit more drive but primarily giving release.
It's the big fronts that are the key.
When comparing them to say an MR TFX you've got a taller, upright, larger area fin for drive but because the plugs are set out on the rail I don't think you need as tall a fin because it's going to hold in top turns too much and slow rail to rail response.
The shallower controllers with their cant in the fronts respond quicker while on rail but still delivering the drive.
That's my take on them and this is in regard to small, gutless waves where you're trying to generate speed through using the most efficient fin template.
Once the waves are larger its back to managing speed not producing it.

[prjwebb]

Yeah makes sense. Looking at the area of the Controllers compares to my proposed H2 + K2.1 fronts set up the Controllers are coming in at 30.3"2 and the H2+K2.1 at 30.7"2.
The Controllers have 18.2" of that in the front fins though where as the H2 and K2.1 are pretty evenly spread with just over 15" in each.

I'm pretty much going to have to get some controllers just so I know if I'm missing out though aren't I...

[Matt_s]

Thanks iggy, I was thinking chin strap device, but I might have to try a device like yours with one of those lanyard things. Might look a little better then the chin strap

[prjwebb]

Well Pete, pulled the trigger on a set of Indo Controllers. H2s are up for sale. Too much drag on take offs for me. They feel like the lift the back end up the board up more than they propel it forward. I've been getting super frustrating trying to make them work, to the point of having enough all together haha. Hopefully the added cant on the Controllers won't give me similar issues. I'm going to try the fibreglass K2.1 set and the SF4 set while I'm waiting for the Controllers and I'll sell whatever ends up not being THE SET.
I was contemplating keeping the K2.1 set anyway for the Mini Driver, but I think the Powerbase DLs take some beating in my shortboards and the fibreglass K2.1s are pretty heavy. Especially the rear fin.


Hi PRJ,
Just read your comments about the H2's elsewhere....ahem.
That dragging feeling in the small stuff is what I was getting out of a number of fin sets I've tried on my sweet potato in smaller waves.
No issue when it's a decent size BUT the small stuff is supposed to be the sweet potatoes forte.
We've all got other boards to ride in decent waves.
So....when I put the Indo controllers into my board in small stuff....zoom....straight from the takeoff effortless speed.
Pull the trigger already.
Lol!

[cuttlefish]

To quote Hancock:
"Good job".

[prjwebb]

Lets hope they live up to the hype!

[STC67]

Well Pete, pulled the trigger on a set of Indo Controllers. H2s are up for sale. Too much drag on take offs for me. They feel like the lift the back end up the board up more than they propel it forward. I've been getting super frustrating trying to make them work, to the point of having enough all together haha. Hopefully the added cant on the Controllers won't give me similar issues. I'm going to try the fibreglass K2.1 set and the SF4 set while I'm waiting for the Controllers and I'll sell whatever ends up not being THE SET.
I was contemplating keeping the K2.1 set anyway for the Mini Driver, but I think the Powerbase DLs take some beating in my shortboards and the fibreglass K2.1s are pretty heavy. Especially the rear fin.

Can you please explain a bit more about fins "dragging" on take off. I have always been more focused on fins performance at speed and never really thought about how they are behaving on take off other than hold in a steep wave. I have been surfing the Elf alot and when I change to the Pnator I am thinking the board wants to stick instead of accelerate over probably the last paddle stroke despite the Pnator being 5 litres more in volume. I put it down to the Elfs flat rocker and wide point forward and haven't considered fins yet-maybe I should

Thanks

[prjwebb]

Not sure what it is other than the feeling. Maybe too much fin area as it comes into contact with the waves energy?

[Chris]

could be part of it, some fins just work better in different boards. this of how the angle of the fin changes as a board is turned, then think of how differently a potato turns when compared to a Michel Bourez board. just food for thought...