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Stump Tri Fin vs Stump Quad Fin – The Softtop Battle!

November 23, 2016 By J. Taylor

Quad or tri, which do I buy? We’re going to answer this question once and for all, so here’s a head-to-head match-up, Stump Tri Fin vs Stump Quad Fin… Fight!

Catch Surf Odysea Stump Tri Fin

A photo posted by Matahi Drollet (@matahidrollet) on Oct 13, 2015 at 11:56pm PDT

The classic thruster setup pioneered by Simon Anderson in the 80s, who was looking for more control than the twin and single fins being used at the time. Three fins grew into the de facto setup for shortboards, and for good reason…

Top to Bottom Surfing

The Stump Tri Fin is best suited for top to bottom surfing, tight bottom turns and fast turns off the lip. The centre fin gives you more pivot for quick turns and snappy maneuverability. When the waves are rippable this board is your performance option.

A photo posted by CATCH SURF (@catchsurf) on Nov 1, 2016 at 7:30am PDT

Grip to the Wave

Three fins keep your Stump locked into the wave when you’re pumping for speed or reentering the wave after a big air. This added stability is super handy when you’re pushing the limits of your trick repertoire.

Increased Control

When you’re pushing hard off the bottom after a big drop, your centre fin is going to provide the control you need to stop you from sliding out. But with this control comes added drag that you don’t get with a quad fin setup.

A video posted by @2kooks on Mar 10, 2016 at 5:27pm PST

———–

Catch Surf Odysea Stump Quad Fin

A photo posted by freedomsurfco. (@masahiro_oguma) on Jul 31, 2015 at 1:54am PDT

The quad fin setup has caught on in recent years and excels in adverse wave conditions, from one extreme to the other. Gutless beach break slop or maxing out Mavericks, surfers use a quad fin setup for more speed when it’s needed…

More Drive and Speed

A Stump Quad Fin drops the centre fin and significantly reduces drag in the process. You’ll find yourself screaming down the line even in small surf, instead of trying to generate your own speed. The extra surface area of the four fins increases drive so you can skip over those fat sections.

A photo posted by CATCH SURF (@catchsurf) on Oct 25, 2016 at 11:18am PDT

Riding on the Rail

With two fins below each rail you’re going to be able to really draw out those carves. Thrusters can often lose speed when performing big carves, but a quad can actually help increase speed when turning back into the sweet spot. The extra hold is great for rail-to-rail surfing.

Looser, Skatier Feel

When you ride a quad setup you’ll experience a much looser and skatier feel when compared to a thruster. If you’re used to surfing with three fins this can take some getting used to. A quad is super responsive, but at the expense of control and stability.

A video posted by Blair Conklin (@blairconklin) on Aug 4, 2016 at 5:08pm PDT

The Verdict?

Now it’s up to you, you’ve got the pros and cons of each so think about the waves you’re going to be surfing and your style of wave riding before deciding. But hey, why not enjoy the best of both worlds and get one of each!

A video posted by DriftingThru (@driftingthrudotcom) on Aug 17, 2016 at 1:38pm PDT

Featured image: @catchsurf via Instagram

Filed Under: Gear, Surf

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