Channel Islands Keels Fiberglass

The AMK — Al Merrick Keel — a keel twin drawn from scratch with Channel Islands, in solid fiberglass, Futures compatible.

A pair of keels measuring 5.17" deep on a 6.38" base, 26.07 sq in of area. The base runs more than an inch longer than the fin is deep, which is what makes it a keel rather than a tall twin, but the curves and the sizing are contemporary rather than a reissue of a 1970s outline.

How that reads

A long base and shallow depth is the classic keel trade: drive and glide in abundance, pivot in short supply. A keel holds a line and builds speed down the face better than a taller fin, and resists being snapped off the tail. Pulling the sizing in and modernising the curves gives back some of the missing quickness — the set will redirect where an old-style keel would want to keep going straight.

Who it suits

Fish and wide-tailed twins on Futures boxes, in waves with a face worth trimming across. Best in quality surf where the drive gets used, and for a rider who likes long carving turns and high-line trim.

If this is not the one

Want three fins from the same shaper instead? The True Ames CI Channel Islands Tri Large - FCS Compatible (Solid Fiberglass). Riding a single-fin CI? The Channel Islands Spicy.