PRJ - So far on the 5'6 only tried K2.1 as thruster and M5 front/GL back as a quad (this was only good in small surf) i just don't know what the feedback is on the stretch SF4's - most people i know sell them as soon as they pick up their new board. But i am finding the board drags a little through turns as a thruster?
Maybe the PC stretch fins might be the go...don't think i can afford the Rusty's or Andersons.
I found the K2.1 set fun but pretty skiddy and slidey. I feel like with the shorter rail line and wider tail you either need to increase the fin area or the fin rake. When I cut mine down into a squash it really exaggerated this issue and that's when I gave up on the K2.1s as I was getting too much uncontrolled release.
At that point I tried the K3 thruster set and noticed a huge improvement. The short rail and wide tail kept things loose but the extra rake gave a lot more drive and full control.
I haven't surfed it as a thruster for a long time now, but have really enjoyed the quad and nubster setup in heavy, low tide, wedgey beach breaks to mellow, peeling left handers (backhand).
It holds on a steep face like its on train tracks, drives well through turns and releases well if you shift your weight off the tail through a turn.
If I was looking to surf a Spitfire in chunky stuff that'd be my fin choice for sure.
Ideally i want more drive and hold, like you say i feel like i'm riding a wild horse with the K2.1's maybe the tail area is too wide for an upright fin like that, i'm prepared to switch to a quad but want something reliable for my weight, Rustys and SA's are probably too big, shame they don't do the Rasta's in FCS as they look sweet!
Yeah quads can be a pain to dial in. Even a more raked thruster set could be a good start.
Where are you based? I've got a pair of GAM sides that you could combine with a medium rear and it might be an improvement. They are only the cheap glassflex composite material but I'm happy to send them over if you cover postage? They'd give you something to gauge off but they could be a bit big for your weight.
Thanks for the offer but i don't have any rears small enough, just some K2.1's and FG5's, gonna see if i can borrow some stretch quads and see what that goes like, if not i might have to try something like the K2.1's in the front and buy some Q1's for the rear, think that's similar to Slater's set except i'll be running the budget version...plastic fantastic!
The only issue with the Stretch set, is like the K2.1s, they are fairly upright. I reckon the GAM fronts with the K2.1 rear fin could be a fun set.
So am i guessing on quads that the front fins give you the speed and drive and the rears are there for extra hold, i not a advocate of quads so my experience is limited, just want to try the right set for the right board, no test centres down my way so its buy and try then hope for the best...
I think with all fins being on rail they all contribute to the hold and drive. Certainly a lot harder to dial in than a thruster set though where it's pretty easy to switch fronts or back fins to get things how you want them!
We got some new swell coming this weekend so i'll have a play, will make some visits tonight and get a fin collection to take to the beach, might have to take a electric ratchet tool for quick changes!
Cheers.
fingers crossed for some decent waves!