I want to shape a big traditional style twin fin fish for my first board. 6’4" to 6’6" wide and thick. I would use the natural rocker and make my own template inspired by old school fish. Thinking about using the Clark 6’9"A for the blank. Good idea??
Also, anybody making the wood keels in a box format for sale or if not box, then glass ons? I don’t think I’m ready to tackle building my own fins yet. I haven’t decided to do my own glassing or not or bring it to a shop to glass.
Thanks.
6’9"A is one of the best fish blanks and
Lokbox makes fish keels and a lot of the guys on this website do too
I don’t know if Walker makes any retro blanks though
thats the blank that Ill be using for my first fish, once I graduate and get a better job in a couple of weeks. My board will be about the same size as yours.
My 2 cents,
Making fins has traditionally been where most board builders start off. 1. because grinding fiberglass is the least liked job in the process and is easily given away to those eager to learn the trade. And 2. and most importantly: You are shaping something. It teaches you to handle tools and to transfer what your mind sees and seeks into that piece of fiberglass.
My advise is that you shape your fins first before you use the best blank (6’9" A) for what you desire.
OJSHJS
ocean,
Good blank for a fish that size. If you are ready to take on shaping and glassing there is no reason why you can’t foil a couple of keel fins. It’s not too hard and is rewarding, as well. Let me know and I’ll mail you some templates. Mike
Scuse me. That post should be addressed to nomad. Mike
Could someone reiterate the codes for the new Pavel Clark blanks for a larger fish/quad? Its not the 6’2" or 6’9"A, right? I don’t see it (them) on the Clark website catalogue. Thanks, John
The Pavel blank, which was introduced in 2004, is the 6’8P. I just used one to shape a 5’11" fish, but I’m sure you could shape a 6’4 or 6’6 out of it, too. It’s designed for fish.
Also, I’m in the process of finishing my first pair of fins - wood keels shaped from 1/2-inch Birch ply from Home Depot. They are coming out decent. I used a combination of a surform and table belt grinder to foil them. Just finished glassing them and will be tacking them on and glassing them to the board this weekend. I’d give it a shot if I were you.
Jim
Used a 6’9"A for my 5’11" fish and it worked out well.
Also made my first plywood fins. I made about 4 pairs before I decided it stick with a single foil, as I found it hard to foil it evenly on both sides.
I figured that its best to sureform the leading egde, then hand sand it, you can then take a power sander to the trailing edge and finish with hand sanding. Keep the volume
in the front third and upper half and make sure it flows so there is nowhere for water to detach.
Read Berts method for making fins, I modified it and did both sides at once using hardboard as a layup table. Stoked at the results. Practice you foiling by making a few pairs, it gets easier.