Quad Fin Setup Guide
How Quad Surfboard Fins Actually Work
Quad fins are one of the most misunderstood setups in surfing.
Many surfers know quads feel:
Fast
Smooth
Drivey
…but don’t fully understand why.
The truth is simple:
Quad performance is controlled by the relationship between front and rear fins — not just the template itself.
This guide explains everything that matters:
Front vs rear fin sizing
Cant and toe influence
Placement and hold
When quads outperform thrusters
How to choose the right quad set for your board
Why quad fins feel faster than thrusters
The biggest difference:
No centre fin drag
Thrusters rely on a centre fin for stability, which:
Adds control
But creates drag
Quads remove that centre fin and instead use:
Two drive fins (front)
Two stabilising fins (rear)
This creates:
Cleaner water flow
Higher down-the-line speed
Smoother rail-to-rail transitions
That’s why quads feel:
Fast without effort.
Front vs rear quad fin sizing
This is the single most important factor in quad performance.
Large front fins = drive and projection
Front fins control:
Acceleration
Hold through turns
Directional stability
Bigger fronts create:
Stronger down-the-line speed
More drawn-out carving turns
Increased hold in steeper waves
This is the classic performance quad feel.
Smaller rear fins = release and flow
Rear fins manage:
Stability
Turn completion
Release off the top
Smaller rears give:
Faster rail-to-rail transitions
Less drag
Smoother flow
Too large → board feels stiff
Too small → board feels skatey
Balance is everything.
The ideal front-to-rear ratio
Most high-performance quads follow:
Front fins noticeably larger than rears
Common real-world pattern:
Fronts: 4.5" – 5.1"
Rears: 2.8" – 3.5"
This delivers:
Drive from the front
Release from the rear
Maximum usable speed
This sizing logic is used across:
Performance shortboards
Hybrids
Step-downs
…and forms the basis of modern quad design.
Cant and toe — the hidden performance factors
Many surfers never consider fin angle, yet it strongly affects feel.
Cant (outward lean)
More cant:
Increases turning sensitivity
Feels looser
Best for small waves
Less cant:
Adds drive and hold
Feels faster and more stable
Better for powerful surf
Toe-in (angle toward the nose)
More toe:
Quicker turn initiation
Slightly slower top speed
Less toe:
Faster down-the-line speed
Longer drawn-out lines
Shapers tune cant and toe to match:
Board rocker
Outline
Intended wave range
That’s why the same quad set can feel different in different boards.
Quad placement and hold in turns
Rear quad placement determines:
Pivot vs projection
Rears closer to the rail
More pivot
Tighter turn radius
Looser feel
Rears closer to stringer
More drive
Stronger hold
Longer carving lines
Performance boards usually favour:
Drive-biased placement for speed and control.
When quads outperform thrusters
Quads are not “better” — just different tools.
Quads excel in:
Small or weak waves
Fast point breaks
Down-the-line surfing
Surfers who prioritise speed and flow
Because:
Less drag
Continuous rail drive
Smooth transitions
Thrusters still win in:
Vertical surfing
Tight pocket turns
Critical top turns
Heavy competition conditions
The centre fin provides:
Pivot
Stability
Predictable release
That’s why pros still ride thrusters in:
Steep, powerful contest waves.
Choosing the right quad setup for your board
Performance shortboard
Choose:
Drivey front fins
Medium-small rears
Fiberglass construction for control
Goal:
Speed without losing hold.
Hybrid or groveller
Choose:
Slightly larger rears
Moderate cant
Balanced flex
Goal:
Maintain speed in weak surf while staying controllable.
Step-up or powerful waves
Choose:
Stiff fiberglass fronts
Smaller rears for release
Lower cant for maximum drive
Goal:
Hold at speed without sliding.
Why fiberglass quads remain the benchmark
Across all quad setups, one pattern is consistent:
Experienced surfers favour fiberglass
Because it provides:
Predictable flex
Strong hold
Smooth release
Long-term durability
Lightweight composites may feel fast in tiny waves,
but fiberglass delivers:
Real performance when waves matter.
That’s why Eveley quad fins focus on:
Solid Pro Glass construction
Balanced front/rear sizing
Reliable drive and control
Common quad fin mistakes
Running equal-size fronts and rears
Creates:
Too much drag
Stiff turning
Reduced speed
Quads need size contrast to work properly.
Choosing fins too small
Results in:
Slide in turns
Loss of hold
Unstable feel at speed
Always size for:
Control first, looseness second.
Ignoring board design
Fin choice must match:
Tail width
Rocker
Wave type
No fin works perfectly in every board.
Final takeaway
Quad performance comes down to balance:
Large fronts → drive
Smaller rears → release
Correct cant and placement → control
When tuned properly, quads deliver:
Speed, flow, and effortless projection
that thrusters simply cannot match in the right waves.
That’s why quads remain a core performance option
for surfers chasing pure down-the-line speed.
The following Eveley fin templates match the performance characteristics discussed in this guide. Each option is built from solid Pro Glass for consistent flex, durability, and real-world surf reliability.
· 4.3" / 3.8" Freedom Quad Fins – Natural Pro Glass | Futures Compatible Quad Set (4 Fins)
Balanced speed, control, and smooth rail-to-rail response for modern quad surfboards. Durable natural Pro Glass construction with Futures-compatible bases in a matched four-fin set.
→ Shop 4.3" / 3.8" Freedom Quad Fins
· 4.5" / 4" Contemporary Quad Fins – Black Pro Glass | FCS Compatible Quad Set (4 Fins)
Drive, speed, and controlled release for modern quad surfboards. Durable black Pro Glass construction in a balanced four-fin configuration designed for reliable everyday performance.
→ Shop 4.5" / 4" Contemporary Quad Fins
· 5.2" / 4.35" Big Boy Quads, black Pro Glass. FCSII compatible set of four fins.
Built for power and confidence — Big Boy Quads deliver maximum drive, hold, and control for bigger boards and stronger surfers.
→ Shop 5.2" / 4.35" Big Boy Quads
· Explore the full Eveley Quad Fin range to fine-tune your board’s feel, speed, and control across different wave conditions.