Just arrived today! We have Bonzer runners ( set of 4) FCS compatible. Offered in colors: smoke or clear... a little history on Bonzer Fins:

Bonzer (bon-zer), adj. Australian (NZ) slang; extraordinary. unique. Archetype (ar’ki tip), n. The original pattern after which a thing is made; model or first form. The Bonzer is the archetype of the modern surfboard. It was the first tri-fin surfboard (Dec. 1970). Although unbeknownst to us, others were working on a three fin design of there own. There was a big difference between the two fin setups. They had half moon shaped side fins placed behind the center fin, and our keel shaped side fins were placed forward of the center fin. Almost four decades of success for the Bonzer, and almost three for the Thruster, we have demonstrated the archetypal nature of our original design concept.

There are two main characteristics that establish the Bonzer as an archetype.

Bonzer establishment of the triangular arrangement of the three fins, with side fins placed forward of the center fin. The side fins were placed 10 1/2” to 12” from the tail and 1 1/2” to 1 3/8” from the rail. They were also towed in toward the nose at what has become the standard angle The design and development of the single to double concave (double through the fin area) bottom. This bottom contour was designed to work in conjunction with the fins to organize the water flow through the tail area.

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The evolutionary curve continues at True Ames with the construction of Solid Core Bamboo and Cedar fins.

We are offering ultra light glass-on fins in a variety of templates that is rapidly growing. Fins are made in house using cad/cam for precision foils. We then apply a layer of glass and sand. The result is the highest quality wood fin ready for top-level board construction.

Available templates are : Tyler Warren Bar of Soap, Hobie Fish, Gephart, and the Tom Parrish Single Fin...

Check our website for further details, updated information regarding new templates, and a possible limited offering for fins that will fit in the standard long board fin box!

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We just got the new Bonzer Hexcore center fins. They come in 6.5" and 7" Check them out!

True Ames was first established in an old water tower in the bean fields on the fertile Oxnard plain. Just so happened the Campbell brothers had recently vacated that same water tower for better shaping quarters. After almost 35 years the True Ames/Campbell Brothers relationship continues as we are as stoked on developing and refining bonzer fins as ever!

In the quest to make the fins lighter and lighter we have introduced TrueLite, Hexcore, technology to both the runners and center fin. We are hoping to introduce a production version of the center fin in solid core bamboo, using our cad/cam machining project…stay tuned.

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So finally after months of working on the printed version of the catalog. We are proud to present a video version online. If you want to get a copy of the printed catalog just email us at info@trueames.com / This catalog video highlights our new 2013 longboard fins. enjoy

True Ames Fins Catalog 2013 from TRUE AMES on Vimeo.

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this is a digital version of our 2013 catalog. We just got them printed!! If you are interested in getting a copy email us at: info@trueames.com

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After experimenting with quads for 7 years this is what works best for Tyler Warren. These fins have a loose fluid drive that allows for effortless speed and drive. The front fins are single foil and back fins are 80 / 20 foil. tyler warren quad fins ( Futures & FCS compatible )

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Sometimes a blank canvas comes in different shapes other than the traditional square or rectangle. Here are a few plain glass on fins with a little creativity and paint. They are block printed and have a randomness to the design which creates a unique look to each one. These hand printed fins are just a few ideas that are brewing in True Ames art department. Art by: Ryan Kleiner

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10" base x 4 5/8" depth--These wood surf fins are machine foiled to perfection. The cedar grain gives these fins optimum flex / stiffness. To make these easier for you to glass them on, there is one layer of glass on each side. Wood fins also have positive buoyancy, they float! The best part is that we make them here, in house.

The Tyler Warren Bar of Soap fin is designed for the small Twin fin "bar or soap board" These boards typically come in sizes 4'11" to 5'3" and are super wide and compact...Much of Tyler’s inspiration in designing the “Bar of Soap” came from his experience riding two of Richard Kenvin’s Hydrodynamica Project boards: The White Pony and Casper. Both of these boards were inspired by the hydrodynamic planing hull surfboards created by Bob Simmons 60 years ago. Check out the wood fin selection

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True Ames offers a greater diversity of fin products than any other fin company. Our material experimentations have created the True Lite Hexcore fin line, which includes thruster templates that are FCS and Futures Compatible from Lost, Erik Arakawa, Hamish Graham, Timmy Patterson, and Channel Islands. Our close relationships to imaginative pros, such as Josh Farberow, Jimmy Gamboa, Oliver Parker, Daniel Graham, Ashley Lloyd, and Brad Gerlach allows us to maintain the constant flow of feedback that will continue to establish True Ames as the industry’s greatest fin resource.

With all of the fin selection available today, sometimes it helps to really understand how fins work and what factors will change the way each individual fin will perform. Here are a few important things that could help guide your fin selection.

Construction

All surf fins are not created equal! We take advantage of a vast amount of fin manufacturing experience to create fins that work in many different applications. Designs are executed using the required materials and foils to create the highest performance surf fins available today.

Flex

Flex is a very important element in our designs. Many of our surfboard fins come with a tuned flex. A fin that has flex can be very different than a fin without flex. The flex concept brings to life an otherwise average ride. Cutbacks have more power and bottom turns have more projection.

Foils True Ames Surf Fins incorporate a constant foil which means you will not find any flat spots on our fins that may cause water disturbance which will ultimately cause poor performance. Our bigger solid color fins are foiled from 7/16” solid 6oz. glass sheet stock. Smaller fins do not need to be so thick to have the proper foil.

Size

The depth of your fin is measured from base to tip vertically. Adjusting your fin size will affect the performance of your board. Larger fins provide more stability and control, so a larger board will need bigger fins. For example a 9’6” single fin surfboard needs at least a 9.5” fin and if nose riding is most important to you then you will find bigger fins give more forward control.

Template

The outline of a fin is what determines the area and the look. The way the area is distributed on the fin is what makes fins individual and work in so many different ways. A wide base fin with a wide tip is the most stable but not forgiving. A narrow base fin with a narrow tip will be very loose and fast but unstable at slow speeds. The fin’s sweep (or rake angle) affects the board’s ability to carve turns. A more vertical fin will make tight turns and fast directional changes while a more raked fin will carve wider arcs and handle more power through turns. Tail width is also a factor in fin choice. Narrow tail boards do not require deep fins because there is less distance from the fin to the rail. A wide board requires a deeper fin than a narrower board. For example an 8’ egg style board that is on the wide side should use about an 8.5” to 9.0” fin. A narrow tail single fin board that is 7’6” can use a fin in the 7” to 8” range.

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As storms churn in the Indian Ocean headed on an easterly track towards Australia, long period swells make their way to the island chain of Indonesia. As the swell projects towards the southern most region of the 17,508 islands of Indo, there is one particular island that is a all time favorite for many. The majestic island of Bali, which sits 8 degrees south of the equator is a waverich isle of warm blue water. Bali is home to amazing culture, and some of the World's best surf. The increasing popularity of the relatively small island means more crowded surf, but for some, who explore, there are many empty lineups at the right time of day.

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