fin hum - left untreated...

General Discussion
1

Hi All,

 

I have a pair of trailing fins that hum when at speed (http://www.scarfinifins.co.za/carbon.htm Hx0's). 

 I've been told to lightly sand the trailing edges to get rid of the hum.

 

I've grown attached to the hum as part of the board. Is a fin hum destructive for the fins or fin plugs?

2

I believe the effects are more related to performance than structural integrity. Your fins are subjected to forces much more powerful under normal surfing conditions than from humming.

3

They will stop humming once they learn the lyrics.

4

[quote="$1"]

Hi All,

 I've grown attached to the hum as part of the board. Is a fin hum destructive for the fins or fin plugs?

[/quote]

 

No my friend, But it drives the fish crazy (-: Mahalo

5

" I've grown attached to the hum as part of the board. Is a fin hum destructive for the fins or fin plugs?"

Back in 1997 I snapped my fun board...my only board at the time....

I bought a 7'6" Bear Speed Egg off the rack at the LongBoard Grotto...Great board!!!! In waves taller than me or in powerfull backside waves the board sings...it does not hum...it's a high pitched noise.

I tried sanding the fins.....they're glass ons...she sings!

That board has been through hell and was my test board when I learned how to fix boards. Today the board is heavy and ugly and next in line for a refurb....

Last summer there was a  big south swell and I grabbed the Bear....Two great sessions on an old friend....She sings....

Left untreated...Yes.......It's a good thing.....

 

Ray

6

 

Singing is usually a leading edge defect, near the base. After I fixed a glass-on on my gun, the board would sing only on lefts. It was more a whistle than a sing though, and it would loud enough for everyone around to hear.

 

Humming or singing is a resonance that will vibrate the fin in frequency with the hum or sing. It may or may not relate to long-term structural problems depending on how the fin is mounted. If it were a glass-on and the sound was loud I would fix it.

 

7

OK, that was funny.

8

Thanks for the feedback.  As much as I dont want to mess with the board's mojo - I don't want to irk the fish and dolphins. I'm going to try fine-tuning the fins and try other trailing fins.