Best Stand Up Paddle Board Fins

SUP fins play a big role in your boards. It aids the board to be able to steer it well. It does have a crucial part in the overall performance of a paddle board.

SUP fins are also responsible to get you to where you want to go! Your board will head in the direction you are aiming for. The fin has that power to help you reach your destination against where the wind, or the waves or the current might want to take it. Incredible!

The design of your board and the activities you want to indulge in will decide how many and what kind of fin set-up will do best.

Boards can have one, two, three, four or even five fins. There are different set-ups that go with each activity.

Let’s find out first the different parts of the fin.

Here are the different parts of the fin:

Base and Tip - The top section of the fin is called the base. It’s the one closest to the board when it is installed. It is the widest part of the fin. Its main role is to help in the stability of the board and as well as in the tracking. On the other hand, the tip is on the other end that goes further down the water. It likewise affects the speed and tracking of the paddle board.

Leading Edge - It is the front part of the fin and it has an angle called a rake or sweep. It functions on how the board can turn and pivots. It also influences on how fast water is released from the board. The rake is also instrumental in releasing any weeds that mat be caught on the fin.

Trailing Edge - It is the back of the fin. It assists on how a board can turn or pivot more easily. They help the leading edge in releasing the water at all levels. It can also affect the speed of the board.

We now know the different parts of a fin.  But what are the essential functions of a fin and what does it do to a paddle board?

Functions to Consider in Choosing the Right Fins

Stability

In this aspect there is a trade-off. The faster your board gets the less it becomes stable. The fin that would be on your board will greatly influence the total stability and speed of your board. 

Their size will be vital on how stable the board is.

In general, the larger the fins the more it’s stable thus this the best bet for beginners. The offset is since it’s larger it can drag more. When drags are created, it reduces the speed of the board.

For the more experienced paddlers and those looking for a quicker turn or surf, they go with the smaller fins. The offset is the board becomes less stable.

Maneuvering

The fin you will choose will affect the easiness of the maneuvering of your board. There is a compromise to be made in this area again. If you’re looking for a board for surfing and races then you wouldn’t want a decrease in maneuverability. Experienced surfers will choose the smaller fins hands-down!

It will give the support on standing on your board.

The most essential function of a fin is it has the ability to give the support a paddler needs while standing on the board.

Stand up paddle boarding is about standing most or all of time on your board. The fin supports the board to avoid it to spin while in the water.

You wouldn’t want your board to be uncontrollable and to start spinning in the water. Truly an impressive role of a fin!

There are four main elements that comprise the fin. They have their functions that contribute to the reliability and performance of a fin.

SUP Fins Four Elements

Rake

One aspect that should not be taken for granted is the rake. The rake is the degree wherein the fin can curve away from the base. It is the factor that gives the board the capability to cut through the water.

The shape of the fin will affect the behavior of the rake. An upright fin will cause more to drag.

Another important role of the rake is, it has the ability to bear how much weed the fin could catch. The more the rake is swept back, it will be easier to shed off those weeds or kelps as you paddle.

Height

The height of the fin is the reason there is stability in a board while paddling. The further the fin go through the water, the more stable the board will be. A fin which is greater in height will lessen the rocking of the board side to side. The downside is, the deeper the fin penetrates the water, it will create more drag. It will then reduce the speed of the board.

Area

Each surface area of every board’s design will give varied performances in your board.

The more the surface area is closer to the board which is at the base of the fin, there will be increased in better tracking and gliding. On the other hand, the greater the surface area at the base, it decreases the maneuverability of the board. 

The more surface area that is near the tip of the fin, your board will be more stable but will be slower and less maneuverable. 

As a guide, heavier paddlers will need a fin with more surface areas while lighter paddlers can have a fin with the lesser surface area.

The area of the fin can be computed using this simple formula. Compute the length of the base, the height, and the width and then multiply all of them together to find the overall surface area.

Base

The base main role is to assist in the tracking of the board. It is the determinant on how the board can track well. Boards can track well depending again on the size and shape of the base. 

The wider the fin’s base the straighter it tracks. Remember, that the more wide the base, the more it increases the drag more so if the height of your fin is also large.

Those are the four elements present in the fin. How about the weight of the fin? Will it matter too?

Weight

The total weight of the fin will ultimately play a vital role in the speed and maneuverability of a board.

Fins are made from different materials. Find out how each material and its weight will perform. 

SUP Fins Material

Plastic Fins

They are the cheapest fins available but the heaviest too. These fins can offer less rigidity and can easily flex or bend when under strenuous pressure thus not responding very well. They are the least favorite fin material for most paddlers.

Fiberglass Fins

This kind of fin is the in between options. A good second choice. Basically, it’s lighter than plastic and more rigid. 

Carbon Fiber Fins

The winner is, the carbon fiber made fins! They are the lightest and have the most strength among the three.

If you are a SUP racing enthusiasts, do invest in this kind of fin. It will reduce the weight of your board since it’s also lightweight.

There are other fins with combined materials such as: fiberglass with honeycomb and fiberglass with bamboo. They can help in making the fins lighter and more flexible too. They are more used in SUP surfing.

There are specific fins for each activity using your paddle board. Get familiar with the following fins:

SUP Fins for Flat Water

SUP paddle board fins for flat water has a single long fin. 

It provides the board with the stability it needs and only has a minimal drag into it. This makes the board to have a straighter travel during racing, touring long distances and downwinder treks. 

A single fin is also great for leisurely paddling, cross water paddling and for multi-paddlers. 

This single fin is generally mounted on a longer and wider board for topmost stability.

SUP Fins for All-Around and Thruster Boards

The fin set-up varies among boards. There are three-fin set up that has a reputation of having a better maneuver in waves. It provides those easier turns and adrenaline rush actions.

Fins set up that has three, four or even five fins are called thrusters. These multiple fin set-ups allows the board to move swiftly through the waves especially in surfing.

An all-around board is ideal for beginners and intermediate paddlers. They can have flexible fin-set ups that can use different variations of fins.

SUP Fins for Racing

SUP fins are primarily designed for racing purposes. The shape of a racing SUP fin is in-between a flatwater and surfing fin. They offer ultimate stability and maneuverability in racing.

SUP Quad Fins

A good number of paddlers can attest that the quad fin-set up is faster and more responsive. It has the capability to handle all types of waves. It is the most versatile of all the set-ups. The boards with these quad fins have more navigating choices and can whether different water conditions as well.

SUP Downwinder Fins

These fins are longer and narrower compared to other fins. 

They have less curves from its base to its tip. They can penetrate the water more hence reducing the spinning in the currents while maneuvering the downwind path of rivers, oceans and lakes.

Different Fin Set-ups and Placements

The set-up and the placement of your fins will impact the total performance of your board.

Here are most of the common set-ups for your SUP fins.

Single Fin Set-Up

As mentioned earlier, this single fin set-up is best for flat water paddling.

If a paddler wishes to use this single fin set-up to surf, they can but they need to ride on fatter waves.

A single fin can only provide a moderate control thus one needs to be of a more advance level to be capable of surfing.

Having only a single fin can make your board less stable. The good point is having only a single fin can lessen drag and can be more agile.

2 + 1

The 2 + 1 combination is the most common setup for the stand up paddle boarding.

This set-up is made of one large fin is in the middle of two smaller ones. It gives the paddlers more stability on the board. The 2 + 1 combination has an advantage over a single fin in terms of stability. 

This is the best bet for the lesser-skilled paddlers who need greater stability from their boards.

The trade-off of this setup is, it makes the board increased drag and can reduced the speed of the board.

4 + 1

This 4 + 1 variation offers the balance in stability, maneuverability and speed of the board.

This set-up consists of four smaller fins to the board’s stabilization. It has no large center fin, so paddlers can enjoy less drag. The board can be easier to control too.

Beginners might find this 4+1 configuration too difficult for them to handle. 

This set-up is catered to long-time paddlers that are thrill seekers and would like to be challenged.

Availability of Removable Fin Systems

There are SUP’s that have a removable fin system. This system allows the board to be flexible and change its set-up to suit their activities on the board.

There is one more consideration you might need to decide upon. 

Price

The price of the fins will be based on the material, color, size, pattern, and of course the brand.

You can find a quality fin that will suit your budget! 

It can help you make the most of your SUP experience and enjoy your paddling to new heights!

Here are the Best Paddle Board fins for this year:

SBS Surf & SUP Fin

This fin can be used for paddle boarding and surfing alike. It has the classic fin design and has a long shape. This large fin is great in cutting through the water. 

The turns are easier to make, and they’re sharper. The best advantage of this fin is you won’t be need any tools to be able to install them.

The specifications of this fin is as follow: Depth: 10", Base: 6.5" and Rake 28°.

This fin is designed to be used as a center fin for paddle boards and long boards.

Pros:

• Easy to install. You need no tools to install it.
• Made with a glass filled nylon material.
• It’s compatible on most stand up paddle boards and surfboards with measurements of 8.5” to 10.5” fin boxes
• Classic fin shape design
• Great price, workability, and packaging.
• High quality
• Durable
• Lightweight
• Has an amazing glide and traction 

Cons:

• Check the screws from time to time. It might need some tightening. The screws can fall-off.

VGEBY PVC Paddle Board Surfboard Long Board Center Fin

This PVC paddle board is a unique one. It can be attached to a SUP paddle board, traditional paddle board, surfboard and a long board. It has the versatility to make a great center fin to any of these boards.

It’s stylish and 100% made from PVC. It has the lock and slide feature for easier installation and easier to uninstall it.

This fin is truly durable and guaranteed to last.

It has the following specifications: Length of approx. 8.86," Width of approx. 7.24", and package weight of approx. 347g.

Pros:

• It is made with high quality PVC material
• It has the slide lock features to help secure your fins and to easier attach and detach the fin.
• It is great for paddle boards, stand up paddle boards, surfboards, and long boards
• It is durable and made to last

Cons:

• It needs a strong glue or screws to stay on.

Frogfish Pivoting Spring-Loaded Stand Up Paddle Board Replacement Fin

A great replacement fin that might be damaged. This fin is ideal for rivers and shallow bodies of water. This fin is mainly for SUP only. It can help the board to have a lesser impact while pivoting. It is very easy to install in your standard fin boxes. There is no need for any special tools. Modifications are not needed too! The package includes all the screws and nuts needed in a fin box system.

This fin will suit the beginners because it’s good on shallow water plus it’s spring-loaded that no objects can get in the way while paddling. The fin will pivot its way around the rocks, logs or any other objects for that matter.

Pros:

• It’s spring-loaded thus avoiding any rocks or logs in the way
• It’s the best replacement fin and for paddling in shallow water
• It has a sleek design
• No special tools needed
• No modifications required
• Very easy set-up
• No more falling in shallow waters
• Lovely to glide over rocks and hear the spring click like a popcorn popping sound
• Tracks very well

 Cons:

• No negative reviews so far

Future Fins Large White Thermoflex Keel SUP Fin

This fin has the following dimensions: Height of 7", base is 7" and the area is 44.5".

It is made with lightweight materials and of durable materials too. Very easy to transport and detach from the board. Its stylish design makes it perfect to tread the shallow and deep waters. Since it has the height and the base both measuring 7”, getting weeds or kelps being tanged in your fins is no longer an issue.

This fin will get away from it! It’s also very easy to adjust and install since no tools are needed to attach it to your board.

Pros:

• Great quality for all levels
• It’s faster, straighter and no more seaweeds or kelps
• Durable material will last for years
• It can be attached with no tools needed
• The angled profile allows the weeds to just slide off
• Angled profile allows for to have a slightly less drag by being more hydro-dynamic
• It doesn't hang down as low as the stock fin. This also reduces drag and allows riders to paddle in shallow water with so much ease
• Its surface area is increased even if it’s shorter because it can extend more towards the rear of the board. 

Cons:

• Always check for the fittings of your fin.

Supflex Detachable Center Fin Inflatable Stand Up Paddle SUP Boards

This 9” removable center fin is for an inflatable paddle board. It’s compatible with all Suplex boards and also with other brands. It’s detachable and very easy for mobility.

It’s made from a nylon material, and it’s durable. You’re sure of no tearing or ripping of this fin!

Pros:

• It’s detachable
• It’s made with durable Nylon material
• It’s 9” long and can move any objects out of the way
• Fits perfectly on inflatable paddle boards
• Perfect replacement fin for California Board Company SUP
• Over-the-top great service

Cons:

• Make sure the fin dock is included

To conclude, choosing the right fin can be quite a challenge. This will help you sort out and find the best option that will work best for you.

Don’t forget, if you’re just starting to paddle, get the larger and wider fins to help you balance and for your board to be more stable.

As for an experienced paddler, choose a smaller and narrower fin to assist you to ride like a veteran!

Make your purchase an investment since it can be said that; the flashier the fin is, the better and more costly it is.

Choose those fins wisely and hit that water soon!