bouke bekker
witchcraft sailboards

Witchcraft Sailboards Bouke Becer’s been making TriFins on Fuerteventura for over 13 yrs. He’s so convinced they’re superior in every way he even claims that Freestyle Wave boards should sport 3 blades underneath.


Have you completely ruled out anything but three fins?

BB: Basically, yes. First of all with a well set up TriFin you can achieve everything what all the other set ups can do with some improvements on top. I’m not saying that other systems don´t work just that, in my opinion, the TriFin gives the best and most versatile mix. The advantage of all MultiFin systems lies in the physical laws that reduced fin leverage with equal or even more fin area can give more control, manoeuvrability and upwind ability.

But, every extra fin means extra drag for a given fin area due to the added tip vortex and fin base drag. Another aspect to consider is that any fin placed a certain distance from the centre line will lose water contact if the board is banked enough, losing fin drive and making a board less predictable and precise. A centrefin does not suffer from this. So all in all, considering leverage, drag, fin area and precision, a twin misses one, and a Quad has one fin too many. Also, the further away from the centre line fins are placed, the more difficult it is to find the right angle.

Twins and Quads are easier to set up than TriFins as Twins don’t have side fins and Quads can get away with smaller side fins due to the 2 smaller trailing fins with more area. To get a TriFin to turn well, you need to increase the size of the side fins but that would mean it becomes more important they're set up well.


What are the ideal conditions for the Witchcraft TriFins?

BB: To cover the widest range of conditions. Wherever someone may live, conditions are hardly ever always the same. Exceptions aside, someone living somewhere with reasonably good side shore conditions will still encounter quite a few less-than-perfect days, where as someone living somewhere with less perfect conditions will still encounter some perfect days or may end up travelling abroad more. So you don’t miss out on fun on either of those days, it´s good to have a board that covers it well and that you know well. Of course, some marketing managers don´t like to hear this, but the more you can do with one board, the easier it is. Less costs, less to carry, less to adapt to.

Our Chakra’s aimed at intermediate to advanced sailors for anything from B&J, cross onshore wave sailing to occasional side shore. The Wave V3.0 is aimed at advanced to expert wave sailors to excel in anything from big cross off shore float ´n ride to onshore mush. The shape can handle it all - the only limitation can be the sizes at either extreme.


What kind of shapes, rails and rocker best suit Tris?

BB: Hmm, hard one. I´ve been working with TriFins for 13 years so hardly know how boards with different fin set-ups like single fins have evolved. It’s probably hardly any different. Probably the most important difference is that with a MultiFin set up, you need to move the mastfoot back so I have moved the mast box back accordingly, unlike some brands, where the centre is the average setting. I do have various shape details that are designed to widen the overall performance range. Sharper rails in the tail play an important part, they aid early planing, responsiveness and cut through chop in on shore conditions and give grip and drive in float ´n ride conditions. You can stay higher up the wave to gain speed and momentum. Other details are the progressive rail/bottom shape up front, parabolic rockerlines, inverted V bottom shape, thinner tails, a semi domed deck with the centre flat bending down towards the rails. It’s pretty full-on to explain so we’ll stick to fins for now!


Equal size Fins or Bigger Centre Fin?

BB: I don’t have any preference - it depends on the customer. When ordering a board, customers can choose between a standard and a Pro fin set-up. The standard fin set up has a bigger centre fin and smaller side fins, making it less sensitive to sailing mistakes.

The pro set up has a smaller centre fin and bigger side fins (nearly the same size as the centre fin) to make it turn better -  but they are more sensitive. The further away from the centre line, the harder it is to find the ideal fin set up. If the side fins are not set up right, bigger side fins will make the board sail stiffer, with more drag. With our boards, you won’t feel any increase in drag and they will turn better with bigger side fins.

Our Pro fin set up is practically like this. Unlike TriFin boards with no or little toe-in, they turn better without a loss in upwind ability or speed, the only downside is that it will make the board more sensitive. You could even use a smaller centre fin than the side fins to make it super slashy in mushy waves.


What kind of Toe-In and Cant do the side fins have? What should people know about toe-in and cant’s effects?

BB: I don’t give any cant as it may make the board jump out of a turn if pushed hard. The right toe in angle is essential. It´s not a question IF a board with side fins needs toe in, but HOW MUCH. With the right amount of toe, the board will be faster, turn better and feel more balanced. Recent research has shown that when going down-the-line, where there’s hardly any lateral sail pressure, all fins should run neutral, not give any lift (similar to a centre fin) so if one fin leaves the water when the board is banked over in a turn, the remaining fin doesn’t  give any strange effects. You need a good amount of toe-in to do that. But there’s more to it than that. But that will follow later.


What about three-fin options for other boards -  like for Freeride use and flat water models?

BB: As I said, MultiFins have their advantages in reduced leverage with a bigger fin area, which translates into better manoeuvrability and wind range. Where you´d need 2 or 3 sizes of single fins, you can do everything with one set up of TriFins. And have better upwind ability but with the small fin advantages of better manoeuvrability and less tailwalking than a big centre fin. But off course due to the increased drag, top end speed would be lower. But, to handle more fin area, upwind speeds will be higher and so it’d be easier to sail. If it´s easier to get back up wind, it´s also easier to go for a downwind run. So for all-round coastal water use, a TriFin like our Chakra is by far the best solution for FSWs and ahead of its time. It´s just a matter of time until the "big brands” discover this too.


How will someone used to riding Twins or Quads find a thruster? Are they better suited to people used to singles?

BB: Someone used to Twins can find a very similar loose feeling with 3 similar sized fins but with more predictability, precision and wind range. Someone used to Quads will find higher speeds DTL and more versatility, ‘trimability’, and a predictable lively feeling. When all set up the best way possible, the differences won´t be that big but Quads usually feel a little more planted and slower. Of course, all of these comparisons are with the same board shape and if the fins are set up well in the first place.


What are they like for jumping compared to Twins/Singles/Quads?

BB: Good. I´d say the fewer fins, the better a board jumps but to jump good also depends on factors like control and up wind speed where multiple fins are better. So the differences are small here.

Thanks Bouke. More info at Witchcraft.nu

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