Stealthy Attack by Shapers Fins
Testing Carbon Stealth Fins
Just had a visit from our good friend Jason Weeks from WASH Distribution who was frothing over some new fins. Jason was recently in Perth promoting Shapers Fins and AskHuey Sunglasses, sunscreen and other bits. Being somebody who is always keen to explore and experiment with new equipment, Jason just had to put me on his hit list. I was initially presented with a set of Carbon Stealth Quad E, which are a quad fin set. I don’t own a quad, although my partner does, so I was then shown a set of Carbon Stealth SMOJO (M/L) size
The Shapers Fins Carbon Stealth SMOJO. Available in both Futures and FCS options.
Base: 115mm
Depth: 116mm
Sweep: 34 degrees
Foil: inside foil
Looking quite similar to the Futures Blackstix, which I have used before, I ran my hands over both sides of this rather sexy looking black and orange coloured template and found a subtle inner foil and a nice progressive outer foil with a little more volume through the leading edge.
I have been using and loving the AM2 Techflex from futures recently, so that is what I will be comparing it to, despite the fact that the carbon fibre reinforcing on the SMOJO is more akin to the blackstix. (The reason for this is, that it is for me, more prudent to compare the most recently ridden fin being the AM2 Techflex.) The SMOJO has a long base like the AM2 Techfex, which translates to more drive and acceleration, the AM2 Techflex has a flatter if not non-existent inner foil. where the subtle inner foil of the SMOJO provides more compressed laminar flow off the trailing edge of the fin. The rake and depth of both fins is quite similar as is the composition, though the AM2 Techflex has a break in the carbon fibre allowing more torsion through the fin from 2/3rds down from the fin tip (More twist) This is desirable provided that there is adequate stiffness at the base to provide drive. The SMOJO achieves this through different dispersion of carbon material and fin volume.
What is interesting to note is a slight angle or chamfer on the leading edge of the SMOJO, which reduces the stagnation point (sticking of the relative water flow, translating to a fast and consistent flow of water from first contact of with the leading edge, though this chamfer angle. This angle and curve is critical in terms of maintaining contact with the aerofoil through to separation point of water flow relative to the fin.
Okay enough mumbo jumbo… a couple of pics of the Stealth Carbon SMOJO affixed to my Al Merrick Fort KNOX.
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When I fixed these SMOJO’S to my 63.5 19 3/4 by 2 1/2 Al Merrick Fort Knox and took it out a Scarborough Beach I was surprised. Scarborough is quite a punchy beach break and on the day of testing… Scarborough was on fire! The SMOJO had plenty of hold for steeper drops, and instantly felt positive under foot when driven off the back foot, providing plenty of drive in and out of turns, especially tight in the pocket snaps.These characteristics can be said about the AM2 Techflex as both fins perform well. Both fins also responded well when being “driven into and out of bottom turns on the front foot.
This is something the Fort Knox excels at where weight distribution on take-off is on the front foot with a gradual compression to the back foot at a point just after the apex of your bottom turn then it just launches you towards the lip, slingshot style. The one difference that I did find was that when you really pushed the SMOJO, it loved to slide and release from the water, which is a contradiction in terms when it has so much hold. I think an appropriate description of this fin would be “Lively” For some this slide and release is not desirable but I found it a barrel of fun. I found the Carbon Stealth to be a well balanced mix of drive, hold and release and would easily suit the requirements of a surfer seeking an all rounder fin. (Note. I have not tested this fin in waves larger than head and a half.)
I have purchased this set of Carbon Stealth SMOJO’s and they will form part of my go-to equipment.
Thanks to Jason and Shapers Fins for the opportunity to try these fins.
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