Fins are the steering wheel of your surfboard. The number of fins, how they are arranged, and what system holds them in place all affect how your board turns, holds, and generates speed. Here is what you need to know.

Fin Setups Explained

Single Fin

A single fin is the original setup — one large fin in a center box at the tail. It provides smooth, drawn-out turns and predictable hold. Single fins excel in mellow, clean waves where flow matters more than quick direction changes.

Best for: Longboards, gliders, and mid-lengths ridden in smooth point break and small wave conditions.

Lundquist models with single fin: Black Pearl, Salt Burn, Lunada, Dutchman, Spectre, Legacy, Magic Carpet

Twin Fin

Two fins, one on each rail, with no center fin. Twin fins are fast — without a center fin creating drag, the board planes and accelerates through flat sections. The trade-off is less hold in steep, powerful waves. Twin fins shine in small to medium surf where speed generation is more important than vertical surfing.

Best for: Waist-high to head-high waves. Fun, skatey feel with speed through flat sections.

Lundquist models with twin fin: Pin Twin, Revenant, Duppy, Boomerang, Half-Moon, Gold, Aardvark, Acid-Drop

Thruster (Tri-Fin)

Three fins — two on the rails and one in the center. The thruster is the most common fin setup in surfing and for good reason. It balances speed, hold, and maneuverability across the widest range of conditions. If you are only going to own one board, a thruster setup covers the most ground.

Best for: All-around surfing from waist-high to well overhead. The default choice when you are not sure.

Lundquist models with thruster: Innuendo, Gumball, Five Horizons, Suds, Scorpio, 2nd to None, Fantasma, Esplanade, Sea Bottom, Wanted, Moon Shine, Big Joe, Apparition, Lasso, Popsicle Stick, Big Buoy, Hiatus, Bang!, Talisman (Step Up)

2+1 (Single + Sidebites)

A center single fin with two smaller side fins (sidebites). This setup gives you the smooth glide of a single fin with a bit of extra hold and maneuverability from the sidebites. It is the most versatile setup for mid-lengths because you can run it as a full 2+1 or remove the sidebites and ride it as a pure single fin.

Best for: Mid-lengths and longboards where you want versatility. Run all three fins in bigger surf, pull the sides for small clean days.

Lundquist models commonly configured as 2+1: Fantasma, Esplanade, Sea Bottom

Quad

Four fins — two on each rail, no center fin. Quads generate speed like a twin fin but with more hold than a twin, thanks to the rear fins. They excel in small, gutless surf where you need every bit of speed, and they hold surprisingly well in hollow waves because the rear fins engage in the face.

Best for: Small surf speed generation, hollow beach breaks where you want drive without center fin drag.

Note: Lundquist does not currently offer quad-specific models in the standard lineup, but any custom order can be configured as a quad. Talk to Blake about which shapes work best with four fins.

Fin Systems

Futures vs FCS II

Futures uses a tab-and-slot system where the fin clicks into a channel on the bottom of the board. Installation takes seconds and the connection is solid. Futures has a wide range of fin templates and is the most popular system in surfing right now.

FCS II uses a keyless click-in system where the fin compresses and locks into two plugs on the rails. No screws, no tools, fast installation. FCS II also has a massive selection of fin templates.

Both systems are excellent. There is no wrong answer. Blake offers both on every custom order and does not push one over the other — it comes down to which system your existing fins use and personal preference.

Glass-Ons

Glass-on fins are permanently attached to the board with fiberglass cloth and resin. No fin box, no removable parts. The fin becomes part of the board's structure.

Advantages: Lightest option (no heavy fin box). Best possible flex because the fin base is integrated into the board. Cleanest look — no visible hardware.

Disadvantages: You cannot swap fins. Ever. If you break a glass-on fin, it is a real repair job. Not practical for everyday boards where you might want to experiment with different fin sizes.

Best for: Special builds, wall hangers, signage boards, and surfers who know exactly which fin they want and never plan to change it. Available on any custom order.

Our Recommendations

Every Lundquist model page includes specific fin recommendations from Futures, FCS II, True Ames, and NVS tailored to that shape. We pick fins that complement the board's design intent — not just generic suggestions.

For example, the [Innuendo](/models/innuendo) thruster page recommends specific fin templates for beach breaks vs point breaks, and the [Gumball](/models/gumball) page has recommendations tuned for its wider tail and looser feel.

Browse any model page and scroll to the Fin Recommendations section to see what we suggest for that specific shape.

Fin Setups & Recommendations