These are the fins I use in my Bonzers:
A. Boomerang Fin (on loan from Allen Cocumelli)
B. 6'0" True Ames Bonzer Fin (1990's, before Chuck Ames moved production to China)
C. 6.5" Foam Retro-fit of fiberglass Bonzer fin by Jack Jensen. 2005
D. 6.5" Agave Retro-fit of fiberglass Bonzer fin by John Cherry. 2006
E. 6.5" True Ames Bonzer Fin (1990's, before Chuck Ames moved production to China)
F. 6'0" Wayne Lynch/Evolution Fin, early 2000's for 2+1 setup.
G. Early 1970's "Feather Fin" with slot cuts, (my Dad's previous all time favorite fin).
H. 7'0" Bamboo Bonzer Fin by Marlin Bacon of 101 Fin Co. 2007 (my Dad's new favorite fin).
I. Brad Gerlach's Bonzer template, mid 1990's
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17 comments:
I recently got a used Light Vehicle (The blue/green one from MolluskSF.) It's 6'2" and I was given a 7" TrueAmes Bonzer fin with it. It sounds like I may want to try a shorter fin, based on your collection of fins all being 6.5 or less.
How is marlin doing with removable fins of that type? I think a bamboo flex fin for a hull would be sick if he's got that working now.
The 7" fin works well in Bonzers with pintails of any size. It's very interesting to get all 3, 6", 6.5" and 7" and try them all in the same board.
so which one do you like best for head high and fun?
D is sweet, but if I could only have one it would be G. Flexy and sexy.
i like a low-rake cutaway in my stubbies
My new favorite is my Marlin Bamboo center fin
I had something funny to say, but I refrained. I'm trying to live by Mr. Bass's Moto, BE GOOD and YOU'RE GOOD.
Rad post!
What does that boomerang fin feel like?
The boomerang fin is nice off the top but lacks that classic Bonzer drive off the bottom.
The John Cherry and Jack Jensen fins have been my favorites overall.
Just got the bamboo center fin and haven't ridden it in very fun surf yet, but got one really good wave on it that made me thirsty for more.
Nice Collection.
The bamboo fins Marlin is doing look really sweet.
Cheers
"I recently got a used Light Vehicle (The blue/green one from MolluskSF.) It's 6'2" and I was given a 7" TrueAmes Bonzer fin with it. It sounds like I may want to try a shorter fin, based on your collection of fins all being 6.5 or less."
A wider tail needs more fin.
I had the same lack of drive problem when trying a Greenough Stage 9" in a Bonzer.
Recently gave the 8" fin you all gave me in my Bee. I never thought I'd need to do it as the 7" has been fine
even in hollow stuff. When things get a little more serious I'll be sure to Bee 8" again. Super solid feel.
I just need to get a red one now!
Me likey this post!
I love this post. Many different tools for all kinds of waves.
The Light Vehicle I have has a diamond tail that's 7" at the end and 14" at the 12" mark. I would say it is a narrow tailed board, and the reason I got it was for hollow waves, so maybe that would help people give me advice. Then again, you guys seem to have fun trying different fins on boards, maybe I should try that as well. (It just get's expensive real quick for us retail fools!)
Yeah, fins can be a little spendy but they last forever.
I love my bonzers - But I have always been searching for the perfect board when I know bonzers wont turn on in fat or mushy waves.
At the same time I'm looking at my 5 fin bonzer egg 6'6" thinking its the right shape and volume for poor quality waves whats the problem. I postulated that the Vee in the tail was the biggest contributor to drag. So I start thinking of a re-design, "Continuously variable Vee" using composite Technology.
But then I cop on. KISS keep it simple stupid. If the V is dragging why not compensate for it.
So I try an FCS 3D red Tip to lift the tail up a bit. Holy smake a different board entirely. As loose as a thruster in small waves and still as drivey as a bonzer.
Try it out if you can borrow a red tip and FCS adaptor and let me know it you notice the difference.
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