FINS!

Question
QUESTION: My board, a JP X-cite Ride 120 2007. It comes with a 38cm stock fin made by JP Australia (Freeride 38). I weigh 180 pounds and im looking to increase the range of the board with a fin but I know absolutely nothing about them. I've heard good things about Finworks FS Pro Series, any thoughts?

ANSWER: Fins can only increase the range depending upon the size of the sails you are using.  The bigger the sail the bigger the fin you will need.  What size sails are you thinking about using with the fin? Are you sailing in a relatively weed free area?  Also the shape of the fin is important. A fin with a 90* angle that sticks straight down is better for upwind performance, a fin that is swept back  or curved will turn better. Upgrading to a better fin than the stock fin is always a good idea.  I do not have info on the Finworks fin in particular but I can tell you Finworks makes very good fins.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info. I plan to initially use the board on 6.4 sail but would like to be able to move down to around a 5.0.

Answer
I would probably go with around a 55 cm fin with a slight rake or curve for better jibing.  The 55 will perform best with the 6.4sail.  If you use too small of a fin with that sail you will feel the board sliding sideways too much.  I would call around to some of the mail order windsurfing houses and ask them their opinion for fin size also. The 55cm fin might be a little too big for the 5 meter sail but you will only be able to tell by trying it.