Some time ago, made a minisimmons with glass on fins. After testing, wasn´t happy. The board felt way to stiff, “kinda” glued to under water railway. When setting the fins, I decided: to go big for an easy control of that small fat surfboard, and more regular position(not so much to the tail) for a more regular surfboard behave. What a mistake, because a surfboard results of the complex assembly of features and not result of each independent feature.
Some fotos of the board on it first design.
miguel
hang it on a wall for a piece of art
those types of boards are relics
forward thinking not backwards
however if you insist on riding these types of boards consider the FSC Fussion set in place of the giant fins you used
big fins will make the board stiff
Kind regards,
surfding
My friends this is not a reply . I was posting a new topic when suddenly Mrs.Life came in through the door and I lose it…! For this I apologise, a big APOLOGISE.
So I made this board that for me just wasn´t right, for my client was ok. I thought about the fins cause I wasn´t respecting the first original designs. As I explained on open post. I wanted a board surfing in a more regular way. My client isn´t Kelly Slater. And when Mrs.Life came I was posting fotos of the first fins setup design.
So,I decided to workout this problem and the best solution was to use a fin sistem(FCS were on hand). I cut the fins out, sand it and gloss it.
For the new setup I was going smaller and, respect the ones who made this kind of surfboard before, meaning should pull the fins back to the tail.
I made my calculations(hoping I could get a minisims surfing like one) and decided for the spot.
And so, with the fin plugs set, I took some very regular(???) fins and went for surfing. Huuffff… I got it. Loose and controled ride(skaty).
So then, only(later realized this was a big, BIG ONLY) needed to convert the old wood fins for the inserts.
I was thinking just about some cut, litle shape and reenforcement with glass but… not at all. The thing is that the fin base and the insert tips have different thickness(look carefully at a fin for “FCS”), on the inside simple glass layers would do the job, but on the outside…
Take on notice that all the power works on this short segment among insert tip and fin base.
Well, what I did after recutting the fin and tips was to take off some wood and narrow the fin base midle and tips on each side. Up to a point the end of the tip got shorter. Than I layied some carbon fiber with epoxy till filling the place were material was missing. After, reshaped the fin base and insert tip, only than put a 6`` fiberglass on each side of the fin to hadd strength. Notice that on the inside this layer goes till the end of the tips.
It is a big work, not an easy work, requiering patience and skill.
well done !!
" It is a big work, not an easy work, requiring patience and skill. "
yep ....fin making ain't no fast and easy 'cakewalk'
you got that right !
and please ... keep letting me know how they go in any future surfing sessions you have , eh ?
at least now you can try that board with HEAPS of different fin setups ! [maybe a back box or plugs , and / or quad plugs options too ?]
cheers miggy !
ben
Finally got the surfboard ready for the client and surfing like the minisims it is.
Thank you Surfding for your reply and advices. As you can see, I kept on your guidance tips. And I was fast, very fast, wasn´t I ? EhEhEh(joke)
Just can´t agree on your characterization of the “minisimons” surfboards. I can take it as retro, never as old. It is easy padling, easy catching waves, fast on the wave, doesn´t stop on waveflats, good manoeuvre going where you want, surfs very small waves(and shitty) also other wave sizes and it is a big, big fun. Biggest problem is you can get drown with so many laughs.
Thank you all and have fun. Miguel P.S.-My advice converting a surfboard or fins to a fin sistem, choose “Future”(or similar) fin sistem, it will be easyer than “FCS”
Miguel:
Thanks for clarifing.
You do nice work!
NOTE:
FCS single plugs I quit using years ago.
The new Fussion FCS are a bit friendlier.
Futures when a customer wants them.
The single plugs can be problematic.
Kind regards,
surfding
Hi Miguel,
Do you think it is the fin location or that you made smaller fins for the board? The reason I ask is because I’ve made 3 minisimms inspired boards. The first 2 the fins were back and the board was stiff. The last board I moved the fins up where I usually put my fish fins and the board surfed MUCH better. I like mine in really small waves. Instead of dragging the 9foot log out I can ride the mini and have a blast. Your board is beautiful. Mike
Probox…
Thanks for comment Roster and your gold question.
This design(minisimons) has very paralel rail, would say they dont turn much on rail, so there isn´t an evident pivot point or pivot area. My guess is that everything is hapening on the entire edge, the reason for a big fat and round underdome rail(???) on the midle front(grabing), and a sharp edge with no undertucked(???) rail on the back half(sidedrift,sideslipe). This are the features making the board to turn(to backskid in this case), with the add of the fins for control and enought backdrag for direction. Almost like the back vertical stabilizer in a plane.
Answering your question, would say both changes made it to work. Fins were to big for any sidedrift, and they were in a place for helping to have a pivot point wich was not the required mechanic.
People!..This is only me trying to understand it. No cientific proof.
Thank you all, have fun. Miguel
nice , mig !
and yes ... I'm with 'da5id' ! , regarding [fin modification simplicity] plug[s]
[....the two tab cutouts , as you now have experienced , are SO fiddly , eh ?!]
cheers !
....and yes , I WILL have fun ... thanks for that advice , Mig ! heh heh
ben fintinkerer
Chippy first of all want to thank you the kind feedback and every good information you keep on posting.
About “ProBox”,I have to apologise Da5id for not posting a very well deserved reply on his post. Here in Portugal never saw or touch such equipment and my idea about it was that it works very similar to"Future". Now after seeing “ProBox” introduction video, I understand Da5id claim and yours(Chippy). The idea kept after, is that it defenitly seems simple and versatile. And for sure the easyer for any homemade fin. Although I would like to have some costumers review, most about strength.
Have fun,Miguel.
I want to apologise you, Da5id, for my lack(???) of atention on your post. It defenitly sounds easyer and versatile for an homemade fin, and also for setting the boxes on place.
Thank you very much Da5id.
Have fun, Miguel.
