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True Ames
John Simon Quad Type II Fiberglass
A quad that turns tighter than a standard set without giving up drive or hold.
★★★★★5.0 (7)
In Stock
$148.50
Color — smoke
The Fin
A quad that turns tighter than a standard set without giving up drive or hold. John Simon, who shapes in Ventura, drew the Type II around one question: how do you shorten the arc a quad wants to make without losing the projection that makes a quad worth riding?
What is different
Three changes, all working together. The base is narrower, so the set releases sooner out of a turn. The profile stands more upright, which moves the bite closer to the centre of the arc. And the tips are extended into small hatchets, which puts area back at the top of the fin where it holds through the middle of a turn.
The important part is what did not change: total area is the same as a standard quad. Nothing was removed to make it turn — the area was moved. That is why the Type II tightens the radius without the loose, skatey feeling you get from simply running a smaller set.
How it rides
- Pivots noticeably shorter in the pocket than a standard quad.
- Keeps the down-the-line speed and hold a quad is bought for.
- Holds its line in solid surf, not just in everyday waves.
- Best on a quad shortboard or a performance fish.
Specifications
| Configuration | Quad — four fins |
| Fin system | Futures compatible |
| Construction | Solid fiberglass |
| Designer | John Simon, Ventura CA |
| Made by | True Ames, Santa Barbara CA |
If this is not the one
Want an all-around quad tuned for speed and flow in everyday waves rather than the tightest possible turn? Look at the Album Quad. Want drawn-out drive for bigger surf? The 6-4 Rear Quad is the drawn-out rear pair.
Specifications
ConstructionSolid Fiberglass
Sizes—
Colors1 option
Price Range$148.50
AvailabilityIn Stock
Reviews
What people say
Simon was in search of creating a set of fins that could tighten up the turning radius without losing any drive, hold or wave face grip — narrowing the base, turning the profile of the fins a bit more upright, and then adding the extended mini hatchet tips, with the same total area as standard quads reconfigured for new performance dynamics.
Run it on a quad shortboard or performance fish when you want sharper, tighter turns without losing drive or hold — the area isn't reduced, it's redistributed to tighten the arc. If you'd rather have an all-around quad tuned for speed and flow in everyday waves, the Album Quad is the alternative; for drawn-out drive in bigger surf, look at the 6-4 Rear Quad.
More About This Fin
The John Simon Quad Type II is a four-fin set designed by Ventura shaper John Simon, made by True Ames in solid fiberglass with Futures-compatible bases. Compared with a standard quad it has a narrowed base, a more upright profile, and extended mini hatchet tips, while keeping the same total fin area. It is intended for quad shortboards and performance fish.
Similar Fins
Album Quad
The Album Quad is tuned for all-around speed and powerful arcing turns, where the Type II is the more performance-oriented set built specifically to tighten the turning radius.
6-4 Rear Quad
The 6-4 Rear Quad is a drawn-out rear pair aimed at big surf, where the Type II is a full four-fin set aimed at sharper turning.
$148.50