Standard v ST v ST Turbo Fins

[bruyaka]

Interested in the difference between the 3 and wonder why they have the standard fins at all if the STs are just more efficient. I assume the turbos are more of a better top end speed than the plain STs .

[yakhangger]

Well I hope the ST's are better than the standard's as I have just ordered a pair I am hopeing I will be able to keep up with less effort outlaid

[sawtell]

Have a read through this.
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopi ... ns#p134013
Some one has done speed tests with all 3. It's a good comparison.


Reason why they come with standards? Id say money.
Hobie include cheap easy to make fins. And know most people are going to upgrade to better fins.

I suppose the amount the fins cost hobie to make wouldn't vary that much. But they make a hell off a lot of profit out of the upgrade!

[Kingo]

It's less about speed and more about cadence ie less pedal strokes for the same amount of water covered, the bigger fins you go the less pedal strokes you'll have to do

[2rsea]

Yeah what Kingo said, it's all about cadence. I have about a 2kmh increase on top speed with my adventure but turbo's put a lot more strain on your hull (& legs!) at the drive well when you push them real hard so you don't want to do heaps of hours like that. What I have found is they make a cruise speed of 6-7kmh quite easy to sustain for almost any length of time, where with the std fins I would get some leg fatigue when trying to get along at a fair clip for long distances just because of the higher cadence, even though the pedals require less effort per stroke. I hope that made sense.

[bruyaka]

Thanks guys it confirms my general thoughts in regard to performance and that less pedalling per set distance does equate to the ability to increase top speed if required. It seems that most guys upgrade to the turbos where as I'm just considering the STs for my sport . Cheers Bruce

[DOMINATOR]

I still have to swap mine over then u can have a go yourself

[vikodin]

Hey Bruce,
The turbo's make cruising long distances much easier on the legs.
I wouldn't go back to a smaller fin if you paid me to.

I would get the turbo's if i was in your shoes. yak etc

[Haynsie]

Turbos.

[tonystott]

Go the Turbos for sure. I have a big heavy Tandem Island and I am a fat bastard with three heart diseases, but I can sustain about 3.3 knots, or just under 6kmh, pushing over 200kgs AUW. Yours will be a pushover.