K4 Twin Windsurfing Fins 

Composite Fins for US / MT- Mini Tuttle / SB -Starboard Slot Box boards.

K4 fins have now been running for a couple of years. It is only for the past 8 Months that the fins have been available on a commercial level. In this short period of time the brand has projected itself onto a global arena. Pro Riders such as Graham Ezzy, Jamie Hancock and Mikey Clancy have chosen the fins out of preference and the team is likely to grow as word continues to spread.

K4 are looking forwards. The intention is to innovate and expand. We are already working on another model of fins and will push forwards working closely with our riders.

K4 Fins have created a unique and new material for windsurfing. OptoFlex is a molded resin long fibre matrix that has been carefully manipulated to provide the perfect flex patterns for windsurfing. Our K4 technicians took a long time to create the perfect material with the qualities needed to provide the performance we now appreciate. Lighter, snappier and with outstanding flex memory.

K4 fins have been testing the highest grade materials in the lab and on the water for nearly two years, continually improving the aesthetics and the performance

K4 fins have a long list of new ideas and concepts to try. Developement is never ending; testing new materials, tweaking our existing fins and looking for new ways to improve performance. We're currently working on some radical ideas which seem obvious but have not yet been seen on a windsurf board.

Without letting the cat out the bag we are working with our riders to create a new line of fins. Sign up to our news letter to be kept informed on all of K4's latest adventures.

K4 fins are loving being at the fore-front of these new developements in windsurfing performance.

As with many things in windsurfing, fin tuning ultimately comes down to your own personal preference, your board and the conditions you sail in. There is NO one right set up. With that in mind, here are our guidelines and some general rules..

SIZE SELECTION

As virtually everybody has used g10 fins in the past, the simplest size guide is to compare K4fins with a similer template g10 fin.

For an average weight sailor (75kg, 165lb, 12 stone), the fin size used would be the same. K4fins will provide slightly less bottom end drive for early planing, but provide more grip and drive in turns due to their flex properties. K4fins will also feel looser for a given size and more controllable in windy/choppy conditions.

SAILOR WEIGHT

The lighter you are and the more fins your board has the more flex your fins should have. If we imagine both ends of the scale; a 55kg sailor sailing on a large quad board in good waves with a 4.5m sail in light winds, and a 95kg sailor sailing a 6m sail overpowered in chop on a small single fin board (or rear biased Tri fin), the difference in fin force is huge. The lighter sailor will need very flexible fins in order to get the most from his board and the heavy weight stiff fins to deal with the high loads. The more fins you have in your board the more the load is shared and the less force on each individual fin. Obviously the higher the load on a fin and the longer the fin, the more it will flex. Our shorter fins are designed to have more flex than the larger sizes.

For the heavyweight riders of 90Kg plus we will soon be bringing out a range of stiffer rears. Although we have many 90kg+ riders who love our current fins, we realise that for use in gutless waves, chop and/or overpowered conditions some extra stiffness wouldn't be a bad thing particularly with rear biased set-ups and our longest fins.

TRI FINS

We've found that for Tri fin set ups in good waves, almost equal sized fins are best with K4fins (eg 13 sides and a 14 or 15 rear). This will help all the fins work together and give a 'quad' like feel, maximising looseness and turning ability. Any of our front fins can be used; the tri specific ones have more base area and sweep, giving better control and drive, the shark tooth fins will be looser and faster.

QUAD FINS

With Quad fin set ups you can tune your board to feel more 'twin' like with smaller fronts and larger rears (eg 6 or 8 fronts and 15 rear), a standard quad (eg 10 front and 14 rear) or even go with bigger fronts and smaller rears (13MT tri or 14 US rears in the front and 12 rears).

A rear area bias will make your board feel looser, easier to redirect or change line mid turn and have better 'pivot' in your top turn. It will be more 'twin' like in feel and we would recommend this set up for onshore conditions where looseness and snappy turns are the main requirement.

A standard quad set up will make the board feel drivier in the turns, much better for swooping cutbacks or power gouges. More grip and confidence in hollow or steep waves. The trade off is slightly more difficulty in changing your line once set, and top turns may feel less snappy.

A front area bias will make the board easier to 'push' through turns and release the tail particularly when underpowered. You may find you lack speed and drive down the line with this set up though, so it's better suited to slow softer waves. You can get some nice 'hooky' top turns using the rail with this set up though and can be good if you're not having to chase the critical section.

FIN POSITION

The following is true for any fins and will help you get the best from your board..

Moving the fin cluster (1,2,3 or 4 fin) rearward will give your board more speed, more grip and more control. Better for big waves or big wind and perhaps for onshore conditions where drive and upwind are important.

Moving the fin cluster forward will make your board looser and skatier. Better for fun size waves and rippable conditions when nicely powered up.

Moving the fin cluster apart (tri and quads) will make the board feel more planted and stiffer. Better for large waves.

Moving the fin cluster together will make the board looser and with more pivot. Better for small waves.

FIN TEMPLATE

 The outline of your fin makes a considerable difference to it's performance..

A wider base will give better drive and acceleration.

A narrower base more speed and pivot.

A more upright fin with less 'sweep' will give tighter turns and more pivot.

A more swept back fin will give better control and more sweeping wide arc turns.

More area will give more hold but be stiffer for a given length.

Fins with a longer tip out the back (or rake) will give more grip and direction, better for larger arcs and powerful carves.

Fins with less tip will be more snappy and turn tighter, better for staying in the critical section of small waves.

 We are about to release a new range of fins with a stubbier lower aspect template and less tip.

FIN CARE

To keep your K4fins looking clean and shiny it does them no harm at all to go in the dish washer every now and then. This is highly recommended.

Minor nicks and scrapes can be easily sanded out with 240 or 400 wet and dry.