Quad Fin Surfboard
Alternative shapes have become all the rage in surfing lately. And for good reason. Riding the same boring shapes and thrusters can become stale and what better way to mix it up than by adding a quad setup to your quiver.
When even top shapers start talking about how much fun quad fins are, we listen. To help you navigate the fourth fin, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite quad fins.
Whether you’re looking for an all-around performance board or a summer groveller, we have a board recommendation for you. So buckle up as we dive into some of our favorite quads and explain what makes them go.
What Is A Quad Fin Surfboard?
How do you put a quad fin on a surfboard?
Quad fins require at least four finboxes, otherwise it’ll never happen. The board will either have five fin boxes so you can switch between thrusters or quads. Once you find your finboxes, attach the fins with the big ones in front and the little ones in the back.
A few things about quad fin surfboards is that you can’t just put four random fins in your board and call it a quad. Quad fins typically have trailer fins that are anywhere from slightly smaller to way smaller than the main fins.
What are quad fins good for?
Like twin fin setups, quad fin setups are great for going fast. The two extra fins help you harness the speed and allow you to feel stable as you ride.
The good thing about quad fins is that they are fast and easy to turn. This makes them excellent small wave boards and great for longer waves.
Quad Fin Surfboards: Our 3 Favorites
#1 5'8 Mahi Fish
South Bay Board Company’s 5’8” Mahi Fish has it all when it comes to a performance quad fin fish.
Whether you’re looking to rip or just get a board that will last and work in any conditions, the Mahi Fish has you covered.
With plenty of volume, this board is easy to paddle into any wave and pop up.
With FCS fin plugs, you’ll have a huge array of set ups that you can play with as it is possible to upgrade the fins.
When added to a gentle swallow tail, the fin setup on this board will help you skate up and down the wave and complete radical turns.
We really like the hybrid construction of the Mahi Fish.
The wax-free, soft deck makes this an easy board to take out at any time and keeps you safe if you fall on it. The hard bottom helps you glide on the wave face while also providing added durability.
One other cool thing about this board is that the fins are versatile and you can ride it as a twin fin if you want to try something new.
#2 5'5 Big Betsy Shortboard
Big Betsy might be something of a misnomer here. At 5’5”, this board is very short.
Despite its small stature, this board still has a substantial amount of volume and clever shaping so you can make the most out of this board.
With more width in the front and tail, this board paddles much easier than you’d think for a board this size.
The wide tail also gives the board more float through those mushy sections in the summer slops.
The Big Betsy is going to shine in smaller waves. The board is a true groveller shape.
It’s size and outline though will give extra paddle power and keep the board agile and fresh through any small waves.
A quad fin set up helps a lot in these kinds of waves too since it lets the board more easily speed past crumbly sections.
Lastly, the Big Betsy has five fin boxes which means it can be ridden as a thruster or a quad. Just don’t try to ride it as a five-fin.
#3 7'7 Elefante Funboard
At 7’7” the Elefante Funboard has all the paddle power you will need to catch any wave.
With the option of riding this board as a single fin, quad fin, or even a 2+1 setup, you’ll never feel like you picked the wrong board for the conditions.
As a quad fin, this board will have plenty of plenty of speed. The diamond tail also helps this board hold in the pocket and go fast.
You might worry that you’ll feel out of control with all that speed, but this board has some sweet tricks to help you out.
With the wide front, you’ll have a stable platform to stand and paddle. A quad set up, or even adding the single fin in a kind of bonzer setup, will help you still feel in control as you fly down the line and put this board on rail.
This board is a great option for small waves since its length provides plenty of paddle power. Though it should also work in larger surf as well.
FAQ
Are quad fins only good for small waves?
You can ride quad fins from anything from tiny to enormous. Many big wave surfers like quad fins because they're quicker. What makes quads so great is their versatility. You can ride them in any condition including big waves.
Why does my quad fin surfboard have five fin plugs?
Five fin boxes let you switch between a thruster and quad without needing to get two different boards. Riding the board with all 5 fins in won't work though.
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