Positive bouyancy fins

[Surfdad]

I've messed with a bunch of fins this past season and we really like two fins. The first is the FCS H2 the other the Futures Scimitar. Both have exaggerated cant angles...something like 16 degrees compared to 6 degrees. One thing that I didn't like about the Scimitar fin is that it's heavy...about twice the weight of the H2.

I know you'll laugh, but I had to test it. I made them bath toys Filled up the bathroom sink and plopped one of each fin in. The Scimitar sank like a rock, but the H2 floated for a bit, the base finally settled to the bottom but the fin still has some flotation. It's hard to see but the tip of the silver fin is floating.

I have ridden a board with fins that actually float and it offered a more lively feel.

I think that I am going to attempt to foil some fins that will fit into a futures box that will also float.

[Timmy!]

Why are you an accountant again? I think you should be on the R&D team over at The Walker Project.

[Surfdad]

Accountancy is FAR more lucrative than wakesurf building. I like Mike, he's such a creative guy...some of the stuff he paints is remarkable, but his main focus is on those stock boards - the comp X line. Realistically, that's where the market is.

Some of the esoteric stuff them I am doing - I mean, really, who would buy it? I had to laugh just now - hand shaped positive bouyancy fins for your wakesurfer, only $140 (that's per fin) The line forms to the left, ok folks?

[dogbert]

Why are you an accountant again? I think you should be on the R&D team over at The Walker Project.

I thought he'd be kinda busy right about now...

[Surfdad]

The stupid IRS is killing me - well I guess I should say congress. They passed that ATM law changed and then said - you know, we just aren't ready to accept those - so do NOT file your returns until after 2/11...virtually 100% of my client base is affected by that so what do they do? Rather than come in NOW and allow me to get the returns done...we'll see you AFTER 2/11! Sheesh. From 2/11 on I have no openings.

I wish it was warm enough I'd go wakesurf.

[Surfdad]

Shoot! I just lost a post...well I'll try again. Most of the fins available on wakesurfers today have a sharp leading edge and a thin foil. In shaping a board, soft rounded edges allow the water to wrap aroudn that section and the board sticks in that area. Sharp edges cause the water to release...you'll see that along the tail of the board. It's interesting to watch, next time you're riding look at the rails of the board and not how the water tends to wrap around the softer parts of the rail.

Typical fins have exceptionally sharp leading edges. If you have a spare set of fins, round the leading edges on one set. What it allows you to do is carve much harder before the water releases. It's a great trick.

Another thing that works exceptionally well in the small waves we surf is to use a thicker fin. 12% of cord length is about the effective max I've been able to use. The thicker fin, especially inconjuction with a round'ish leading edge provides an noticeable increase in lift and turning ability.

I believe that for my fin project I will make them 3/8" thick and construct them out of divinycell...maybe bagging carbon to the exterior.