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Depth 1.75” Base 4”
The nubster is a great drag free stabilizer, suitable for quads or twin fins that need some slight tightening up. This version fits a sliding fin box, has a machined finish, and is supplied complete with the screw and plate ready for secure fitting.
What is the Nubster fin?
The Nubster is a very small fin (or small stabilizer fin) designed to be added into a surfboard fin setup — typically in a quad-fin setup as a “fifth fin” or in some cases to stabilize twin setups.
A center fin that can be added to any quad-set-up.
Used as a 5th fin on a quad, or as a small stabilizer on twins to provide increased drive and control.
The idea is that you get the freer, loose feel of a quad or twin setup, but with just a bit of added drive/control from the little extra fin. Riding a five-finned board is like basically just riding your same quad, except your board has an enhanced grip which also then turns into enhanced drive.
The fin was made famous when Kelly Slater used the fifth-fin setup during the Quiksilver Pro New York contest…“that fifth fin just tightens and smooth's the whole thing up”
What it does — performance characteristics
Here are the main performance effects and reasoning for using a Nubster:
Added drive / hold: For quad setups especially, adding a small central fin helps lock in the tail a little more, giving more hold through bottom turns or on the face, without making the board feel “locked” like a big center fin.
Maintaining looseness / flow: The advantage of a quad (or twin) setup is looseness and more freedom of movement. The Nubster aims to enhance control while preserving that looseness.
Versatility: Some users install it as a trailer or stabilizer fin in twin setups, or as a central “fifth fin” in quads.
Fine-tuning feel: Because it’s small, tweaking its size, foil, base position or height can let the surfer dial subtle changes in drive vs release.
Practical considerations & tips
When to use: If you ride a quad setup and feel it’s a little too loose (tail sliding, less drive), adding a Nubster may help. If you ride twins and want a bit more directional stability, it is an option.
Experimentation: Because it introduces a small element, its effect is subtle — you’ll want to test with and without it, possibly shifting it forward/back if your box allows, to see the difference in feel.
Why it matters in fin design
While big shifts in fin design (rake, foil, base size) occur, the Nubster represents a “fine-tuning” piece of the modern fin puzzle: how to get the best of both worlds (drive + looseness).
As fin-system options expand (removable fins, quad, twin, 5-fin setups, interchangeable boxes) the Nubster sits as a creative add-on rather than a full re-invention of fin tech.
It shows how surfers/shapers continue to innovate even in seemingly small areas of design: adding a small stabilizer fin can change the board’s behaviour noticeably.
We include
Free Delivery: Everywhere in Australia.
Tracking: Quick & easy online tracking on all fins.
Peace of Mind: All our fins are insured against loss in transit.
Prompt Australian Dispatch: All items are sent from stock held in Sydney on the same or next business day.
Returns: 30-day, no questions asked returns, for unused full price items.
No More to Pay: No surcharges added at the checkout.
