Stand Up Fins by Larry Allison

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ride Review from Standup Paddle Magazine on the John Becker Race Keel by John Becker and Larry Allison

STANDUP PADDLE MAGAZINE More Pro(fessor) Box Larry testing. The John Becker fin and history. I think all of Larry's race keel fins derive from the one he made for John Becker. Not certain but I think it's a good conclusion as the race keels all have that "JB" feel. Still one of the most ridden of what I have taken out, that JB fin works in fl...ats, open water, surf.Now, (don't know what to call it but is says mini-race keel) JB Jr. I took it out today for 30 minutes and this one was super fun as well. Don't think it'll go in surf (still have to try it) but it goes in flat water. Good straight line but with more looseness going around buoys.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ride Review from Standup Paddle Magazine on the new Jim Terrell Stealth Race Fin by Larry Allison

Just did a 2 mile R&D run at Ala Moana Beach Park. The Jimmy Terrell Fibre Glas Fin. Co. Larry Allison race keel to be exact was the test. I always gauge Larry's Becker/Mills race keel against whatever is placed in front of the Standup Paddle Magazine feedback team.This was the result;The Jim Terrell race keel gets way more strokes per side and even in the wind, the "yaw" was minimal. On a straight course, this one will have a lot less cross over which means keeping speed rate up and momentum going. I even went up to 16 strokes per side. I never thought that was possible.The Becker/Mills fin got me 12 plus strokes but what I like about that fin is on buoy turns, especially on those hard cross-bows, you can yank and turn a lot easier than the JT race keel.Both fins are good. Like having a 12'6 and a 14 or open water and flat water board, you should always have a quiver of at least 2 race fins. It could be a matter of a gold, silver or bronze medal at the next race. Or even 4th which means no medal especially if it was your neighbor who beat you at the last race.So whether you're doing a course race or straight course, know your equipment.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

18 ft. Unlimited Bark SUP with Larry Allison Dagger concept

Here's a Ride Review by John Bowling the owner of this 18-ft./ 6-in. Unlimited Bark who lives and Paddles in the San Francisco Bay, which has some of the strongest currents and wind conditions.
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Ride Review:
Gentlemen- It is with renewed confidence that after installing Larry's dual daggers on my 18'6" SUP Bark battleship, that I can actually navigate through wind, current and bump without wanting to shoot myself in the head! This is something I previously thought only possible with the addition of a full rudder system..... before Larry lent me a hand.
Let me just paint a quick picture for you of my experience before the addition of the mid-fin. This board was fast on the flats, in calm conditions, but it easily fell off course. It would yaw to the left or right, with the slightest bit of wind or current. And, the harder I paddled, the quicker I had to change sides too. I'd go for 6-10 mile paddles and find myself caught in squalls or currents in the San Francisco Bay pitching sideways, totally frustrated, just trying to get home with some sense of dignity. Joe Bark sympathized with me, but was reluctant to retrofit a rudder on the board while he was keeping pace with all his orders and referred me to Larry. It's cool, Joe! You are The MAN!
Larry's inline dagger, mid-fin concept gave my board the lateral stability I needed. I easily doubled the efficiency of my work. Now, I can easily fire off 10-20 sprint strokes on one side, before switching to the other side, to stay on course. This has preserved the glide and simplicity of a rudderless board, on a board simply to long to be rudderless otherwise. When conditions do get more than moderately challenging, I still have to hammer away to fight the drift, but I'm not cut to my knees, feeling like an (m)oaron! Thanks Larry, for all your help! I'm stoked! John