ReBowls 2 + 1 Fin Options

[StonedColdSteve]

Hey Everyone, I recently ordered a custom 7’6 ReBowls from Trimcraft. In the meantime, I’m ordering some fins for the 2 + 1 setup.

I’ve ordered the True Ames Lovelace 7.75 Vbowls and 8.5 Vbowls fin so far. I’m a bigger guy (6’2, 210 lbs) so I would like to try both out with the side bites as well as run the 8.5 Vbowls fin as a single fin. A lot to explore just with these two alone…

My question mainly resides around the side bite options. I see a lot of people running the FCS B5 Bonzers but I also see True Ames makes a set of bonzers with slightly different dims, see attached. (Glide Surf Co online store has then, not really anywhere else….)

Can anyone point me to the differences in these or which would be best? I assume most people only use the smaller ones for the ReBowls/Vbowls setup? Just assuming the larger ones would be overkill?

Attached are the DIMS of the B5 FCS and the True Ames ones. Maybe virtually no difference in the two but any feedback or personal experience is appreciated!

 

[j_laucks]

A normal Bonzer 5 setup has the smaller fins in the front positions and the larger toward the rear. If you buy the full set you can play with both sizes on your reBowls.
It seems the general guidance is if you are running side bites to run the 7.75" center fin. Single you might want to go with the 8.5".

I had a 7-10 Haley pin and played with both size bites, though they were from two different makers. I didn't find any night and day differences or a go to setup all the time, but subtle differences on different waves or days to experiment with. Its all a personal feel in the end...

Here in New England it seems like no two days or waves are the same so I find refining fin choices is a slower and happens over time and sessions. If you have one go to location or wave that you can spend a lot of time on your results may vary

You might do some digging around here there has been a lot of discussion on the many different fin configurations for the Thicklizzy/Haley Pin boards with sidebites as well as the vBowls.

Some reading material:

Just bought a haley pin what fin?

I just pulled the trigger on this haley pin at boardsource. Bought it online sight unseen. Going to pick it up today. https://theboardsource.com/product/76-x-21-1-2-x-2-7-8-trimcraft-haley-pin-mid-length-surfboard/ What fins do people like for these? I own 3.25 TA side bites already...

jamboards.com

Fin setup/sizing for 7’6 Haley Pin

I have one coming in the next few days so I’m looking for a 2+1 setup. I don’t know how wide the tail is so I’m not sure on sizing for center fin. Would a 7.25 be long enough? I know the Bonzer runners are popular for sides and I’d like to try that out but the center is my main concern. What’s...

jamboards.com

Ryan Lovelace V.Bowls Fin

Hey all, just wondering what you guys think about the fin (both the 7.75 and 8.5). Pros, Cons, what boards you use them with, etc, etc. Thanks

jamboards.com

First impressions on a v.Bowls

I recently picked up an 8'4" v.Bowls and finally got a chance to take it out this morning. I had originally planned on going with a shorter v.Bowls, but I had a good opportunity to pick this one up (thanks Croweater, and double thanks to ShadyDave and Makawaosurfer93 for the board train) and...

jamboards.com

 

[shadydave]

Just as a FYI I run a 9” vbowls fin as a single in my 9’-6” rebowls. You may find the 8.5” to be a bit much.
Sorry I can’t help on the side bites.

 

[StonedColdSteve]

A normal Bonzer 5 setup has the smaller fins in the front positions and the larger toward the rear. If you buy the full set you can play with both sizes on your reBowls.
It seems the general guidance is if you are running side bites to run the 7.75" center fin. Single you might want to go with the 8.5".

I had a 7-10 Haley pin and played with both size bites, though they were from two different makers. I didn't find any night and day differences or a go to setup all the time, but subtle differences on different waves or days to experiment with. Its all a personal feel in the end...

Here in New England it seems like no two days or waves are the same so I find refining fin choices is a slower and happens over time and sessions. If you have one go to location or wave that you can spend a lot of time on your results may vary

You might do some digging around here there has been a lot of discussion on the many different fin configurations for the Thicklizzy/Haley Pin boards with sidebites as well as the vBowls.

Some reading material:

Just bought a haley pin what fin?

I just pulled the trigger on this haley pin at boardsource. Bought it online sight unseen. Going to pick it up today. https://theboardsource.com/product/76-x-21-1-2-x-2-7-8-trimcraft-haley-pin-mid-length-surfboard/ What fins do people like for these? I own 3.25 TA side bites already...

jamboards.com

Fin setup/sizing for 7’6 Haley Pin

I have one coming in the next few days so I’m looking for a 2+1 setup. I don’t know how wide the tail is so I’m not sure on sizing for center fin. Would a 7.25 be long enough? I know the Bonzer runners are popular for sides and I’d like to try that out but the center is my main concern. What’s...

jamboards.com

Ryan Lovelace V.Bowls Fin

Hey all, just wondering what you guys think about the fin (both the 7.75 and 8.5). Pros, Cons, what boards you use them with, etc, etc. Thanks

jamboards.com

First impressions on a v.Bowls

I recently picked up an 8'4" v.Bowls and finally got a chance to take it out this morning. I had originally planned on going with a shorter v.Bowls, but I had a good opportunity to pick this one up (thanks Croweater, and double thanks to ShadyDave and Makawaosurfer93 for the board train) and...

jamboards.com

Yeah I’ll run the 7.75 with the side bites.

Should I run the smaller site bites or larger? I surf exclusively east coast btw (VA, NC, SC) so smaller but punchy.

8.5 single all the way! Glad I’ll have one stashed for when it’s more mellow.

 

[StonedColdSteve]

Just as a FYI I run a 9” vbowls fin as a single in my 9’-6” rebowls. You may find the 8.5” to be a bit much.
Sorry I can’t help on the side bites.

Interesting… thanks for the info! Atleast to help know others’ setups.

 

[StonedColdSteve]

7.75 w/ FCS smaller and larger side bite for reference.

 

[paipodude]

My experience is that the FCS runners are all fiberglass and the True Ames runners come in composite and fiberglass. The composites are a lot lighter. You might also check on the cants--how much in the runner (side bite) boxes and how much cant is built in the fins. (I think the variation choices might be in the boxes, but I have also seen a couple different cants in the fin fingers.)

 

[Skusty]

i've had a 7'6 reBowls for a couple years now and its my pocket knife - literally have surfed it from calf to well overhead and it is always a board im happy to have under foot.

i've messed around a fair amount with fins, and i don't love the vBowls fin in it, i believe i had the smaller one but it felt a bit too flowy and 'sticky' whereas other options had great flow but also allowed me to get a bit more verticle (relatively).

i've found a 8.5" 4a to be my go to as a single (confirmed 8.5)
or a 7.5 4a with a real small sidebite (similar to these: https://www.trueames.com/collections/side-bites/products/2-6-side-bite-single-tab but mine are a bit more shark finned shape, came from a liddle burrito i used to have) which feels great too

i've always wondered about the bonzer bites as well but haven't splurged the $ for them

whatever fin settup you go with know that its worth trying others, you'll find something that works and feels great - then change it up and it can totally change the feel (for better or for worse)

great board, lots of options, have fun!

 

[halfalpine]

Congratulations on the order, I feel that the re.bowls is a bit of a dark horse in the lineup, but it’s a really smooth and lively ride.

I usually run the True Ames bonzer bites with a 7.75” Lovelace fin in my 7’4”, as a larger human surfing New England waves. Can’t really tell the difference between the small and large bonzers. They help just enough to notice. On cruisier days I take them out sometimes. The board doesn’t really ever spin out as a single but it’s just a tad snappier with bites. I suspect that for this application, the different models are all not so different.

 

[StonedColdSteve]

i've had a 7'6 reBowls for a couple years now and its my pocket knife - literally have surfed it from calf to well overhead and it is always a board im happy to have under foot.

i've messed around a fair amount with fins, and i don't love the vBowls fin in it, i believe i had the smaller one but it felt a bit too flowy and 'sticky' whereas other options had great flow but also allowed me to get a bit more verticle (relatively).

i've found a 8.5" 4a to be my go to as a single (now i'm doubting and will have to check tomorrow if its 8 or 8.5)
or a 7.5 4a with a real small sidebite (similar to these: https://www.trueames.com/collections/side-bites/products/2-6-side-bite-single-tab but mine are a bit more shark finned shape, came from a liddle burrito i used to have) which feels great too

i've always wondered about the bonzer bites as well but haven't splurged the $ for them

whatever fin settup you go with know that its worth trying others, you'll find something that works and feels great - then change it up and it can totally change the feel (for better or for worse)

great board, lots of options, have fun!

Awesome feedback so much to unpack:

1. All I’ve ever used in my longboard is a 9.75 Greenough 4a so I’ll definitely have to try a smaller 4A (7.5-8) one day. Will give the 7.75 Vbowls a try first.

2. So the link you attached are actual “side bites” from TA. Instead of the “bonzer runners” that come with 2 large, 2 small. Didn’t even know these existed until now but I see they’re a little more upright than the bonzer runners. These also only have 1 tab instead of 2 so it looks like you could have them further up in the fin box or slightly back??? Anyone have experience comparing the more upright side bites vs the bonzer runners?

Obviously different for everyone and I’ll have to experiment I’m just stoked on learning “in general” about these variables having only surfed single fins and thrusters.

Pics attached for reference!