5'8 Spitfire - sp/sf/alt setup

Erling

So, hopefully I'll get my 2 new boards by the end of this month... waited since May for them to arrive, so hopefully they'll get here soon. I cancelled my order after 5 months of waiting, but I've now been informed that they are on their way... Been told that they are packed in California and are on their way to Norway by boat... possible to check when they'll get here? Chris?

Anyway. I'm selling my 5'10 dominator and will be replacing it with a 5'8 Spitfire and a 5'4 Sweet Potato. I've also got a 6'2 Alternator that I use for bigger/better surf. I've used my dominator mainly as a quad with the SF4 fins... I've read that people prefer their spitfire as a thruster, so I think I want some new fins for it. I can allways go back to the SF4 quads if I prefer it as a quad, but I think the Sweet Potato will cover the days with weak waves when I need extra speed and drive.

In my alternator i like the PC-7 in front with a PC-5 in center.... with a full PC5 set the board felt a bit too loose and lacked drive... but then again I haven't tried that setup for more that one time (when I first got the board).

Any FCS fin recommendations for the Spitfire?

prjwebb

I found the K3 set to be magic in my 5'8" Spirfire. Enough rake for drive hold and grip in that tail but still loose enough to release when you push hard in snaps.

Erling

even before you chopped off the tail?;)

Are the K3s very different from the PC5/7s ?

prjwebb

Never tried them before. I used to really like the K2.1 before but they got too slidey once I cut it off.
The JW1s look pretty sick. I've got a set on the way so will post some feedback once I get them.

prjwebb

I haven't compared the K3 to PC5s actually. I don't have any handy to compare but from memory they are pretty different.

Erling

http://www.surffcs.com/au/products/fins/fin_comparison.aspx?pid=96~98~147

Erling

Looks like Mick Fanning is on the FCS team as well now:

http://vimeo.com/29290572

http://www.surffcs.com/eu/products/fins/thrusters/MF-1.aspx

prjwebb

Yeah, haven't seen his fins in any stores though.

prjwebb

K3 seems like its in between the PC5 and 7 size wise with a touch more rake in the tip and has a flat inside edge while the PCs have inside foils. The K3 has a smaller rear too which frees things up nicely.

Erling

Sounds like a good combo. Might feel a bit like the setup I have in my alternator then.

The PC-fins flex quite a bit in the tip, does the K3 fins flex or are they stiff ?
Guess it depends a bit on what K3 fins you have: PC, PG, GF

prjwebb

I've got the PC carbon style ones. The carbon is supposed to restrict the flex of the fin to one direction I think. They feel good to me, fairly stiff I guess.

Erling

I see you've got a new board, the Sub Scorcher. How does it perform compared to the Spitfire and in what conditions will you be using it ?

They have both the JW-1 and K3 in my local shop. Look forward to hear from you regarding how the JW-1 perform compared to the K3s.

prjwebb

I haven't had a great chance to surf the sub in good conditions, but initial impressions are that it's going to be a full performance board in smaller conditions, but maybe not such a groveller in crappy conditions.
I think it's a good compliment to the Spitfire rather than a full replacement.

Erling

I think I've decided to try out the AM-2 or the K3... have you tried the AM-2 PC before, and if so: how do you think they compare to the K3 ?

http://www.surffcs.com/au/products/fins/fin_comparison.aspx?pid=447~136~152

FCS Fin Testing at Lowers (K3, AM-2, Goods-1)

http://vimeo.com/2272221

Erling

Oh man, can't wait to get the boards!!:) Any chance you can check when the boards will end up in Norway Chris? Should be packed and shipped from California, on their way by boat.

Had a look at the CBD, and the spitfire looks a lot better there than the image on the spifire page. Really look forward to try it out!:)

5' 8 Spitfire

6'2 Alternator

Only thing missing is the Sweet Potato;)

chris

Erling do you have a board on order?

Erling

Yes, I've sent you a PM, check your inbox.

Erling

Well, the day finally came... or, not quite...I got tired of waiting for the FW shipment to Norway to get here... so I ordered from Boardshop.co.uk.... should have done that in the first place. It took under a week from my order was sent to the board was delivered on my door!:D Great service, highly recommended!

Only ordered the 5'8 Spitfire, won't be needing the SP until Spring/summer.

The board looks nice, but after using my Alternator in a lot lately it does feel a bit alien and big under my arm. I'm thinking that I really don't need a SP as this feels plenty big enough to handle small waves... but I guess that will change once winter is over and there's nothing but crappy summer waves.

I actually tried the PC-5 in my Alternator today, nice clean waves around waist to shoulder size... and was surprised over how well it went, I now like it better like this than with the PC-7's in front. About a year ago the PC-5 felt way too loose and lacked of drive, I guess I just wasn't used to the board and my stance was probably too narrow.

The Spitfire came with SF4 GF fins, but I allready have the PC ones so I think I'll just sell them. I'll try the board with the SF4 PC and PC-5 as that is what's recommended, but might just get the K3 or AM-2 if the PC-5 feels a bit to small, I guess the shorter rail line an wider tail might need a bit more fin.

Stoked to finally get the board, can't wait to try it out!:)

Erling

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