Question about fins?
 

So I was really looking forward to getting a new setup this season but as it turns out I'll probably have to wait till next year. My current ride is an 05 LF Balance that I bought new in 08.

http://www.wakeworld.com/products/in...detail&p=55231

This board has fairly large cupped fins on it and I currently ride without the center fin. I don't have a lot of experience with other boards but I'd like to carry more speed into the wake and be able to brake this board loose from the surface without as much effort. Just wondering if a smaller/different fin setup might help with this at all and if so can anyone recommend some?

I can answer part of your question by telling you yes smaller fins will help break the board loose. However some boards ride a lot different after you change the fins. Whatever though. It's not anything you can't get used to. The speed you carry into the wake is all technique based. It;s not the fins slowing you down.

Try thelfstore.com they have a good assortment of cupped side fines. I put a smaller set on my shane and it rides much looser :-)

Like Hoser said, smaller fins will help you break loose from the water more easily, however fins aren't the only characteristic of the board that you should take into account. Rocker type has a huge influence on how the board feels. Generally, a board with a continuous rocker will ride a little lower in the water, and therefore be harder to break loose, while a 3-stage rocker will ride a bit higher and be easier to release. Also, continuous rockers tend to be slower when cutting into the wake, and they generally don't release from the wake as quickly.Although some people– myself included– like this feel, from everything you have said, it sounds like you should be considering a board with a 3-stage rocker. Getting smaller fins for your current board might help a little, but changing rocker types will have just as much (maybe even more) of an impact.

Mark, generally, continuous boards are faster than those 3 stage rockers. With either rocker type, the smaller the rocker, the faster the board typically is.

To answer your question though Keith, smaller fins aren't really going to make the board any faster, although it may release off the wake a little faster. Smaller/cupped fins are good in that they have good hold on edge and are easier to break free when the board is flat.

Ya, my riding is in it's infancy for sure and i have a lot of refining to do in terms of my technique/style. That's partially why i was interested in trying to get a different feel from my board so if i liked it i could take things in that direction. With the exception of one, the local shops don't do any demoing and the one that does is very limited, so it's hard to know what's out there unless I just buy it and try it. Like you guys said, its mostly a rider thing. Thanks for the input.

Sounds like you need a LF Lyman, it's got small fins, easy to break loose but still tracks really well and it's got a subtle 3 stage rocker.
If you can demo one of these I would highly recommend it.

The Lyman is definitely on my short list to try, along with the Witness and Viva.