lately due to having lots of time, and no blanks until tomorrow, i have been trying my hand at making fins. a couple simple questions… 1) what’s the best size/thickness for the thickest part of the base?? for a shortboard thruster fin? 2) whats the likes and dislikes of double foiling a fin? better turning but less speed? 3) whats the best size for twin fins to go on a old fish? thanks to any takers on these questions! dj
Hey D.J. If you’re stacking 6oz. about 22 layer is good for standard thruster fins and 30 to 32 is good for Bahne center fin boxes. Double foiling smooths fin action and makes them a little faster IMHO. The last question is just too general to answer well. Sorry. Good luck with you fin projects. Mahalo, Rich
rich, just the guy i was hoping would respond. i had a picture of one of ur fins u sent me for while as my back round. great job! lets say im working with wooden fins or something, that i just need to put a layer or so of glass on just to seal it…how thick should it be? or is that not a very good question. unanswerable… as for the twin fin fish question…I’m talking a short…prob 5’6" about 20-21 wide. be riding her in crappy florida waves, normally probably chest high. and the tail is gonna be super wide. maybe like 17 18 from point to point. i’ve found a new love to do when i am out of blanks, or repairs. i took a bunch of leftover fins from repairs i had laying around, that kids left. and i started to amke some cool designs. pretty fun. dj
i used the 6’2"c and left the rails very boxy, good for paddling speed. 5x8 keel fins fully foiled.
Hey DJ, If you going to make a fin completely out of wood You’re obviously going to glass it on unless you put some kind of spine in it to give some strength. If it’s to be solid wood and a large glass-on single start with ½” stock and foil it to suit you needs. If it’s going to be under 7.5” start with 3/8” stock. When you’re done laminate 3 layers of 6 oz. over the finish product to protect it. You’ll still have you foil and you’ll be able to finish things out well. As far as the fins for you twin fin fish. The keel fin template that Mr. Jensen, who is one of the true artists here at Swaylocks. has posted in the resource file is as good as any ole-school keel fin template. I’ll bet one of the fish experts here could give you a good suggestion about how big to make them – that is – depth and base length. I think it’s a good idea to use door skin for these and lay up about 12 layers or so on the high pressure side of the fin, foil the wooden side and protected it when you glass it on the board. I tend to stay away from making a call on fin size unless I know a lot about the board and am making the fins for it. Hope this helps – happy foiling, Rich
david, is that the super wide blank they make for fish’s? thats the one i plan on using. i think my dems are gonna be 5’6"x 16 1/2 x20? x 16. probably go 10 inches between tail. and not sure how hgih up the buttcrack will be yet. rich, i appreciate it. right now im not sure wether it’s gonna be for me (i want an old fish) or a friend who wants me to make him one. since i just paid off 2 tickets i am almost broke. i got enough to make 2 boards. one for me, and one for another. as for the fins. i would love to order some through you…but i realize it costs money, and thats money i don’t got! sooner or later when i get some cash i’ll order a pair. i can find that template you speak of on this site? thanks dj
In the book “Surfboard Design and Construction” by Jim Knistle, are detailed dimensions for several boards… Included in the book are Planshape templates and dimensions, Rocker dimensions, Thickness dimensions, Rail Profiles, and Fin Templates… There’s a Steve Lis Fish in the plans, I used his Fin Template for these… Currently I’m building a hollow wood version of the Fish… http://www.hollowsurfboards.com/fins.htm 
Paul - do you know where I can get a copy of that book you mentioned? I searched the internet but couldn’t come up with it… Mahalo.
I found a copy on amazon.com. They wanted 125 bucks. Whew! I’d like a copy,too. Not at that price.
Here’s one I made 20 years ago. Mike Merry shaped and glassed the board for me in the Kawela Bay days. Still ride it. Happy new year
I can photocopy mine, and send you a copy if you cover the actual costs… Maybe $5.00 for Kinkos and $4.00 for mail…
paul i’ll give you 10 bucks for a copy! by the way sweet fins! dj
Someone donated a copy at S.A. 2003. I can’t remember who received it???
Yup, sign me up for a copy as well, Paul. Email on the way…
I’ll make 5 sets…First come first served…