Fin terminology.
Depth is how far the fin reaches into the wave from the bottom of the board. Fins with greater depth will improve control and stability throughout manoeuvres.
Base is the length between the leading and trailing edges where the fin meets the board. Base is primarily linked to drive. Fins with an adequate base will offer more drive out of turns.
Tab is the part of the fin that goes in the fin box.
Rake (also known as Sweep) is the distance the fin tip curves away from the trailing edge of the base. The rake affects the turning ability of the board. The less the tip is offset from the base, the more manoeuvrable the board will be. Greater rake will produce longer and more drawn out turns.
Pro Glass fins are cut from layers of solid fibreglass. These fins are stiff and are widely used by professional level surfers because the honesty of the flex is maintained under immense force, and in the most extreme of conditions and situations. Pro Glass fins are not only impressive due to their colour and finish, but they also offer additional benefits that ordinary fins do not. Since they are hand laid, they are optimized for minimal flex which increases speed and projection through turns with predictable and reliable outcomes and integrity of performance.
K Pro Glass is made using a different fiberglass cloth which imitates Volan in both colour and flex. Also, the coarse grain of the fiberglass gives a traditional Volan appearance.
Ultra Lite Xtreme Pro Carbon fins are manufactured using an epoxy air core wrapped in genuine carbon composite laminate for extreme strength. The epoxy air core is lighter and stronger than PU foam. When you are ready to fly these are the fins that will get you there. They are the lightest strong fins available.
Performance Core fins are manufactured using resin transfer molding technology embodying a lightweight core with an integrated solid fibreglass casing and base for strength. These fins are light and strong featuring a moderate progressive flex pattern from the base to the tip. They are suited to lighter weight and more agile surfers who are unlikely to overpower the fins, helping the surfer to maintain drive and hold through turns. Performance Core fins have a lightweight hexagonal core which reduces the weight and maintains the flex properties. These fins are engineered with a medium flex pattern which is maintained under immense force, and in the most extreme of conditions and situations. The optimized flex provides integrity of performance, which increases speed and projection through turns with predictable outcomes. The hexagonal foam core in these fins reduces the resin content, making the fin lighter while keeping the fin stiff where it counts. This gives these fins a medium flex pattern making them a great all round performer.
Machined Finish has a matt feel and allows the grain of the fibreglass to be evident.
Sanded Finish has a matt feel without the grain of the fibreglass being evident.
Cant is the angle the fin leans over towards the rail of the board. The cant angle helps generate lift making the board more lively. FCS two-tab fins have zero cant as the angle is built into the box. Futures single tab boxes have no cant angle built in so it is built into the fin instead. Futures compatible thruster fin sets have 3/4” deep tabs on side fins and 1/2” tabs on the centre fin.
Foil is the curve applied to the faces of the fin. Side fins with a flat inner face create an area of low pressure on the curved outer face which enhances maneuverability.
Screw and plate is the traditional method of holding a fin in place in a sliding finbox. The advantage over click in fin systems is that they are not easily dislodged when bumped and its harder for a thief to easily steal the fin from the board without tools.