Glass on Twins

General Discussion
1

We’re in the process of shaping a chambered balsa fish and need a little advice about glass ons. The board is designed for more hawaiian type waves, and is a little more ‘gunny’ than most traditional fishes. The dimensions are 6’6 x 20 x 2 3/8. We plan to get some glass on twins that aren’t too retro or keel-like, something a little more modern. Can anyone suggest some sites to check out for fins such as these? Also, at what stage of the glassing schedule do you glass the fins on (after the lam or after the hotcoat)? I will be sure to get some photos posted in the next few days, Thanks.

2

um, yeah, check out John’s fins here, he can make just about anything (make sure you check out the slide show!)

[url]http://web.mac.com/katshultz/iWeb/JohnCherryWoodcraft/twinstrisquads.html

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they can go on at either step, I like to do them pre-hotcoat.

3

Thanks Keith, those are some beautiful fins he makes. We weren’t planning on ordering anything custom, but it is something to think about. I kinda wanted to find some all tinted glass fins, preferably transparent red or blue. Does John primarily work with wood? I didn’t see any contact info for him on his web-page, would you happen to know it?

4

Look at my “avatar.” Got the idea for these crazy, raked, inside curved fins from Greg Webber. Unbelievable how much thrust they give that little board. 7" deep with a 5.5" base. Looks like it’d be too much fin, but it’s loose, positive, and drivey. I made mine using the bottom of a sector 9 skateboard deck as a mold to give me my inside curve. Set 'em at 10 or 10.5" up from the tail and in about 1 3/8" from rail (trailing edge).

edit: if you go this route, be sure and use extra fin rope as they have a tendency to torque up and crack at the base if you use your normal glassing schedule. I started using 15 strands of roving per side + two full layers of 4 oz and 1 layer 4 oz along the base. I now have 30 strands per side, two full layers 4 oz and 2 that go up 3" on the base and 3" onto the bottom.

5

yup, he’s a woodworker, here’s contact info.

http://www.johncherrywoodcraft.com/contacts.html

I don’t know offhand where you can find transparent fiberglass fins. (You might wander by Ambrose’s place, he could have some sitting around?) Pretty much all the glass-ons I see are more opaque. You might try PM to Larry (“probox-larry”) here if you’re looking for fiberglass fins. Or lay up a fin panel yourself… info is in the archives.

6

You might try Tru Ames - they stock the same type Steve Brom uses on his Fish

Single foiled - They aren’t transparent but come in diffeent colors

http://www.trueames.com/surf_select.php?surf_products_id=43&surf_categories_id=&surf_subcategories_id=

Good Luck

Jim N

7

Yo Boots,

I can foil you a set if you want transparent tint.

All of my Polyester/glass laminated fins are transparent. The tint with many colors and brown is not out of the question. Matter of fact I’m about to do a panel that I could get your fins out of. They’d have a real mild helical under-camber in them and double foiled leading edges. We could decide together on the template and depth.

Email me if you want pictures mate.

No Worries, Rich

8

There’s always Robin Mair in Hanalei. He goes by HandShaper on Sway’s.

9

Thanks guys for all your help. Those Tru Ames fins look pretty nice, similar to what I was thinking of getting. We’re still shopping around so I don’t think i’ll be ordering custom fins quite yet. Rich, i’ll be sure to let you know if I decide to order up some customs.