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SUP Gladiator Elite Racer fins

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Created by brusier > 9 months ago, 21 Jun 2012
brusier
192 posts
21 Jun 2012 4:02PM
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Where can I get one of these? or the SUP Gladiator Hybrid race fin

I would need it posted to NZ

Cheers
Bruce

HumanCartoon
VIC, 2098 posts
21 Jun 2012 6:16PM
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Direct from Larry, or from

www.supgladiator.com/racefins/

or from

http://jupiterkiteboarding.com/store/fins-race-fins-c-612_399_619.html

all post internationally. Unless you're after a second hand one? (you can have mine when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers )

brusier
192 posts
21 Jun 2012 6:25PM
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thanks HC.

Will get sorted next week.

PottyMullet
NSW, 92 posts
21 Jun 2012 8:31PM
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What length board do these fins suit?

HumanCartoon
VIC, 2098 posts
21 Jun 2012 8:45PM
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PottyMullet said...

What length board do these fins suit?


Depends more on tail configuration than length. The gladiator elite is mostly designed to control big volume, boxy tails on 12'6 and 14' race boards (think BARK and similar) and help those boards track better in disturbed flat water & choppy race conditions. Ditto the gladiator hybrid, only it's smaller and has a bit less rake for easier turning. They also suit some unlimited that have their fin boxes well forward of the tail.

(*You wouldn't want one on your WoW 14, it'd make the board way too stiff)

Edit: Should also say that the gladdies are also designed to control the tendency of those boards with pronounced cutting noses to steer off the nose in wind and side chop. IME they work very well at that.

PottyMullet
NSW, 92 posts
21 Jun 2012 8:53PM
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Cheers Stu

brusier
192 posts
5 Jul 2012 11:17AM
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Got new fin today, postage was a bit costly but very quick service (7 days) to NZ.

Here are some comparisons between old and new fins. I will give it a go tomorrow.
It looks awesome. Original Bark comp fin made by same company.







DavidJohn
VIC, 17570 posts
5 Jul 2012 2:00PM
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The Bark fin looks good.

DJ

HumanCartoon
VIC, 2098 posts
5 Jul 2012 2:24PM
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brusier said...

Got new fin today, postage was a bit costly but very quick service (7 days) to NZ.

Here are some comparisons between old and new fins. I will give it a go tomorrow.
It looks awesome. Original Bark comp fin made by same company.






Nice...did you get instructions from Larry about placement?

brusier
192 posts
5 Jul 2012 1:17PM
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Nothing from larry. I will just put in centre . Had to put in plastic chock to square it on board.

My old bark fin has had a few collisions......


Also it would be good if fins came with a cover. All my windsurfing fins did!

HumanCartoon
VIC, 2098 posts
5 Jul 2012 6:35PM
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brusier said...

Nothing from larry. I will just put in centre . Had to put in plastic chock to square it on board.

My old bark fin has had a few collisions......


Also it would be good if fins came with a cover. All my windsurfing fins did!


Ideally, with that fin the tip should line up with the tail of your board or be just a smidge behind it. IIRC the Bark's fin box isn't too far forward.

brusier
192 posts
6 Jul 2012 8:48AM
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Hey HC, I couldn't quite line up tip when end of board, it overhanging a bit? But remember that this fin was developed for a Dominator so am I sure it in the correct position (cos I have a Bark Dominator). There is only about 1cm adjustment anyway.

Went out today for 6.5km paddle, flat water and wow. Board tracked better, getting more strokes per side and it just seemed better. Turned better as well I think but my turns aren't the best anyway :-).

Seems to make more noise re disturbance of water. Maybe thats the water leaving the fin in different places due to the trailing edge shape.

Overall (after one paddle) its heaps better than the stock fin and I can't wait to see how it performs in this weekends race.

HumanCartoon
VIC, 2098 posts
6 Jul 2012 12:06PM
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brusier said...

Hey HC, I couldn't quite line up tip when end of board, it overhanging a bit? But remember that this fin was developed for a Dominator so am I sure it in the correct position (cos I have a Bark Dominator). There is only about 1cm adjustment anyway.

Went out today for 6.5km paddle, flat water and wow. Board tracked better, getting more strokes per side and it just seemed better. Turned better as well I think but my turns aren't the best anyway :-).

Seems to make more noise re disturbance of water. Maybe thats the water leaving the fin in different places due to the trailing edge shape.

Overall (after one paddle) its heaps better than the stock fin and I can't wait to see how it performs in this weekends race.



Good result...yeah lined up or a bit of overhang is OK (according to the man himself), works best that way IME anyway. I'll copy you Larry's explanation if I can find it.



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"SUP Gladiator Elite Racer fins" started by brusier