Has anyone swapped molded removables for foam core fins of the same template and noticed a difference? I’m wondering how fin weight/bouyancy affects performance? Are lighter fins (or fins with a bit of bouyancy) better? or do heavier fiberglass fins make the tail less neutral, in good way ie more solid feeling? Is the weight of fins a factor when foiling the tail? or do the differences in the weight and bouyancy of different fins choices have such a neglegible affect on performance that it’s not a design factor? Appreciate any experience, knowlege people have to share.
I think thin is in and light is right… Yes fins make a defference…>>> Has anyone swapped molded removables for foam core fins of the same > template and noticed a difference? …>>>>> Only with fcs and yes the tail being lighter felt quiker to respond… the thing i didn’t like with the fcs carbon was to stiff… the flex in the standard fins was better then the weight i saved…>>> I’m wondering how fin weight/bouyancy affects performance? >>>>>>> Some of the box systems out there i won’t use because of weight… I wish i could have a fin system that had 100% bouyancy so as to have a perfect balance. But still had enough flex for the snap…>>> Are lighter fins (or fins with a bit of bouyancy) better? YES!!~!!>>> or do heavier fiberglass fins make the tail less neutral, in good way ie > more solid feeling?>>>>>>>> I think on a longboard yes but not on a shortboard “LIGHT IS RIGHT” the lighter the better>>> Is the weight of fins a factor when foiling the tail? or do the > differences in the weight and bouyancy of different fins choices have such > a neglegible affect on performance that it’s not a design factor?>>> I would say very little… Maybe in real small boards like i shape a few real small boards when you starte going real thin you have to make the tail thicker with plugs. Changing thickness would do little good from one to the other… Good question…>>> Appreciate any experience, knowlege people have to share. http://surfnwsc.com
Has anyone swapped molded removables for foam core fins of the same > template and noticed a difference?>>> I’m wondering how fin weight/bouyancy affects performance?>>> Are lighter fins (or fins with a bit of bouyancy) better?>>> or do heavier fiberglass fins make the tail less neutral, in good way ie > more solid feeling?>>> Is the weight of fins a factor when foiling the tail? or do the > differences in the weight and bouyancy of different fins choices have such > a neglegible affect on performance that it’s not a design factor?>>> Appreciate any experience, knowlege people have to share. Back in '72 I decided that the fins I was using were slowing me down and making the tail of the board heavy so I made my first foam core fin. It was a labor-intensive affair made with high-density foam that my friend John Mel gave me. I was cutting and foiling fins for him at the time. He said “That’s a lot of work; it’s like building a miniature surfboard." Well here we are 30 years later. I’ve found that in some circumstances that modern epoxy/fiberglass-carbon lay-ups can yield a very fast, strong and light fin, and working foam into the construction to fill out a foil and keep the fin light. all other things being equal for fins that have some thickness to them it makes for a more responsive package. As far as I’m concerned surfboard performance has always been and will always be about the right amount of weight and the right shape. A tail section that tends to sink deadens the action of the board. Ultimately performance is all about balance. Tow boards are heavy because they have to track and handle rough water and still be under control at speeds in excess of 15 knots so the weight has to be placed very judiciously. If they aren’t going fast they just sink. Paddle boards come in so many types that sometimes a heavy fin has little affect on performance because it is such a small percentage of the overall weight of the surf-craft, i.e. 10ft hull. But if you talking about 7’0" performance board keeping the fin or fins light makes the board more responsive IMHO, thus I continue to build composite construction foam core custom fins. Mahalo, Rich
I’m wondering how fin weight/bouyancy affects performance? …Lets see, would you rather have something that floats or not…???>>> Are lighter fins (or fins with a bit of bouyancy) better? …The right foil is MOST important…and you can have the right foil and bouyancy in a wood or foam fin…A solid glass fin with the right foil is HEAVY…>>> or do heavier fiberglass fins make the tail less neutral, in good way ie > more solid feeling? …No…>>> Is the weight of fins a factor when foiling the tail? or do the > differences in the weight and bouyancy of different fins choices have such > a neglegible affect on performance that it’s not a design factor? …It all depends on how sensetive YOU are…>>> Appreciate any experience, knowlege people have to share. …Good question… Paul http://www.hollowsurfboards.com/fins.htm
…Lets see, would you rather have something that floats or not…???>>> …The right foil is MOST important…and you can have the right foil and > bouyancy in a wood or foam fin…A solid glass fin with the right foil is > HEAVY…>>> …No…>>> …It all depends on how sensetive YOU are…>>> …Good question…>>> Paul hey Paul, realy like your fins. How do you make the clear outline? Thanks
thus I continue to > build composite construction foam core custom fins.>>> Mahalo, Rich The 8-9 inch foam core (corelite) fins worked great on some of my 9 foot range spoons. I would get them from Fiber Glass Fin Co. Larry, who manages the factory tells me that they bought out the last company that was making these and he is threating to begin making some. I’m not going to hold my breath but in the meantime, anybody got a stash?
hey Paul, realy like your fins. How do you make the clear outline? Thanks …I use a clear 1/8" LEXAN core that is visable after foiling…Then there is the fiberglass overlap at the edges you’re seeing…Sometimes a glass bead is applied to the edge with wet-out fin rope…In my experience that stiffens the fin too much… Paul http://www.hollowsurfboards.com/fins.htm
…I use a clear 1/8" LEXAN core that is visable after foiling…Then > there is the fiberglass overlap at the edges you’re seeing…Sometimes a > glass bead is applied to the edge with wet-out fin rope…In my experience > that stiffens the fin too much…>>> Paul For those of you on single fin longboards-it’s well worth the money to purchase a wood fin from Paul Jensen.They are light, have a real nice,round leading edge foil,great template and look way cool to boot.He sent me a 9.5" one-the template is similar to a Liddle flex fin.Anyway, it really made my longboard come alive!