Greg from Sheb. wrote:
Wrong! You can use slot base fins, you just have to cut a notch in the front edge of the base like in the picture. US bases are more safe and secure but believe me you don’t want to deal with 3 of them, one is a hassle enough already.

Also I don’t recommend you using smaller then 12 cm sides and smaller then 22 rear, 23 to be sure. I wish we could get away with 18-19 centers like the guys in the good wave spots, but for what we are dealing with here we need BIG.



boards.co.uk/news/starboards-new-fin-box.html

Greg from Sheb. wrote:
My friend took an old board and experimented with it, it’s so funny looking but he says it actually works with the two fins.

Ady wrote:
Big! Noted. Thanks.
Yeah, USBox are a bit of pain... especially if you have take them out every session. I could certainly pull the router and cut-away at it.

Bob,
Look what I found in my basement. I thought I had something like what your friend did. I dusted off a few oldies:
The first set set came as-is in 2 parts and was supposed to prevent spinouts. I use to put this on my 1984 9'6" custom when ridding it as a single fin. the small purple fin (14.5) up front and the red (24.5) just behind. I recall even cutting off and shaping the hole on the red fin. It was a trend that was emerging back then.Cool, right?!.
In the next picture, the pink fins was the thruster set (23.5/14) that came stock with the board. 26 years later it almost feel like I could use them again!
All in fiberglass/polyester.

Greg from Sheb. wrote:
I've been using the Maui Ultra Fins X-Tri/X-Wave and Wave combo for my Stubby Wave 88. It's a huge improvement over the stock Choco fins (which for me made the board almost unusable). I went bigger 12.5 sides and 18-20cm center. The 13.5 X-Tri side fins are available for order... usually takes about two weeks to get as they come from Europe. Larger ones are also available up to 15.5cm I have some 13.5s coming but, they are already claimed by a guy for his Stubby 99. Something like 22cm/13.5cm would be a good place to start for the Kode 109 depending on how big you are and what exactly you're looking for out of the fins.

I was actually surprised how much of a difference changing the side fins made... seems like the stock side fins only offered drag and provided no grip. Go with smaller sides and larger main to make the board more directional. Go bigger sides and smaller center to make the board more surfy. If you use the Chinook Fin Fast system, putting in and removing US Box fins becomes a breeze. Much easier than slot box, and generally more secure. Only caveat is you have to be careful with it to make sure it engages properly, and the plastic tabs wear over time. The tabs and screws depend on some friction to make it all work, so it becomes less reliable over time. You can also DIY your own fin fast tabs by grinding two corners of your metal tab so you end up w/ a diamond shaped tab.

Maui Ultra Fins Thruster Set

full disclosure, just in case you all aren't aware, Sunset Sailboards is my shop in San Francisco.

Kevin, good to know you are the name behind Sunset Sailboard. I've shopped at you place in the past - lastly was for a North PowerXT if I recall.

Thanks for the advice and for taking the time. Much appreciated. The Chinook Finfast is a pretty cool idea. I'll probably give this a try at least for the couple side fins.

What I'm looking for out of a thruster setup: Not yet fully sure but I'm about 87-90kg and I would lean towards keeping the board more directional but still looser than on a single fin setup. My sailing consist of 80-90% chop and 20-10 swell.

I have to say that while researching a bit more, I am more and more attracted by the K4 fin options for a few reasons:
> These fins seem to be great performance for money.
> For less than the price of one G10 set, I could experiment with a couple of K4 sizes and mix and match to find the combination that works best for the conditions (chop or swell).
> I have family coming from Europe for the Holiday who can bring me a set and conveniently, that would provide them the perfect gift for X-Mass!

So far, I'm thinking of the K4 Scorcher 22 (39 Euros) and a couple sides K4 Stubby Front 13 (42 Euros)
...and maybe adding a 20 center + 11 sides
All this for 162 Euros, all tax included!

K4 have starbox option when you are choosing base. make sure to get that if you go the Starboard way!
I know it's crazy, but Im flip flopping again-why don't you wait for the 2020 kode 115 that comes supposedly with single and tri sets stock. Or just get Goya one. That 109 size just bothers me too much.




A lot of Brits wit K4s they might be sponsored but this guys are good and it tells you something.

Ady wrote:
Actually, I really like the idea of the 110-ish. Why: I thought that the Starship 100 was a bit too small - got caught out several times having to body drag after wind died and unable to uphaul/waterstart. ...And the Starship 115 feels a bit big. While 6 liters might not sound much, I think I will feel the difference with the 109 compared to the Starship 115. The Goya One was also quite attractive but it is a bit more wave than freeride and honestly, most of what I do on the water is freeriding anyway. Seems like the Kode has this in the blood and it’s truster setup is there to unleash a bit more looseness for me to start enjoying other things than blasting around. Finally, I found a 2019 Kode at an amazing discounted price and also I love the colors of the flax balsa this year!

Thanks for pointing out the K4 starbox version. How do they call it though? I couldn’t find anything else but US and Slotbox on their site. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough.

I think all Shark 2 slot are like that. 2 Rad sell them and it’s usually cheaper in Canada then US and they are very helpful. I bought a mast and some other stuff from them.
www.2-rad.com/k4-fins/

Greg from Sheb. wrote:
Hey Greg, yes, i actually found this forum through digging through the conversion analytics for the shop. was cool to find it. I had been coming to Chicago frequently for four years while my girlfriend was in medical school, and I had hoped to windsurf on Lake Michigan one day... closest I ever got was renting a Hobie Cat from the Northwestern University Sailing Center (which was badass). I miss visiting Chicago... I always looked forward to going to Johnnie's and Green Street Meats. we do have two Portillos in Los Angeles, and I hit it up every time I'm down there.

Kevin Kan wrote:
Agree! Chicago is one of my favorite city in the US. The architecture is awesome. The food is really good and the sailing is great too! There's a windsurfing swap meet every year on the beach just south of Northwester U. First time attending this year in spring and got my ass Kicked by a gusty-stupid SSW! Fun through. I actually go at least once a year in your neck of the woods: My niece lives in Napa and I always try to find a way to go there during spring or summer for some windsurfing in the bay area. Maybe I'll have the chance to meet you there sometime. BTW, your business model is awesome: Love the level of service you offer the locals. This makes tones of sense for the customers. Hope it does on the financial side to you as well.

Back to the KODE 109. I can't believe it: It was delivered today! Xmas came in very early this year again! Just freshly unpacked. Too bad the season seems to come to a premature close in Wisconsin. I can't wait to give this thing a go before the end of the year - maybe in Clinton Lake on a good 5.2 day? As announced, the board is SUPER-LIGHT (7kg I think)! The graphics and colors are quite flashy (matching my "Happy-Sunny" Ezzy 6.0!) Better get those skills tuned up cause there' no hiding with this gear! Woohoo!

Looks pretty sweet, Greg. Aside from the thruster set-up, that's the closest thing out there if I had to replace my beloved RRD 108 L FSW v2 (2012). Same shape - outline, volume, low nose, V, rocker, thin rails and weight. It's the blue board in my photos I'm always using my Ezzy 5.8 & 6.9 tigers with.

definitely if any of you guys head out this way please ping me. would be great to meet you in person and take you sailing somewhere. If not windy, we always have beer. peak season here is May through September.

you guys know a kiter named Slavie (going w/ the phonetic spelling there). He's some sort of doctor/surgeon. My gf operated with him while doing rotations and another windsurfing friend knows him from San Carlos trips.