hi, i need help. i’m competitive speed skydiver and recently i was looking at surfboard fins to use them as stabilizers. after some research i came to conclusion that True Ames Hatchet fin (http://surfingsports.com/product.asp?prod=taf_surf_Hatchet90) is pretty much exactly what i need. the only one problem is that they come only in sizes 9"+ while i need size 6" or 7" tops. is there such a thing as 6" or 7" hatchet ? is there anything that comes in sizes i need and have hatchet-like shape ? i need fin with a lot of surface and majority of it far from the base. any help ? thanks, stan.
There are several fin builders who frequent this site. check the archives & I’m sure you can find someone to make what you need. http://dreamflagproductions.com
I can’t think of any in that size that you can buy retail, but you can always have one custom made. Provide a template to Fins Unlimited or one of the guys here on this board to make you one.
how about the Greenough stage 6 paddle fin by true ames? kind of similar to hatchet fin with area from base AND available in smaller sizes.In addition it has a bitchin foil which could be to your benefit in the air…
greenough paddle fin was the next fin i was considering. it’s available in 7.25" size which is bit bigger then i want but it’s surface area is smaller, so it could be okay. as for bitching foil, is there a big difference in foil between hatchet and this one ? i don’t really need bitching foil since on high speeds (250+ mph) everything is bitching [smile] stan.
Rainbow fins has the Johnny Rice in a 6" length and it is very similar to the Greenough and Hatchett with area away from the base. www.rainbowfins.com
Hey Stan, At the speeds you’ll be traveling the configuration, weight & foil of the fin will be critical. Just any old fin won’t do. Contact me if you want a custom. As you probably already know, peregrine falcons have been clocked in dives exceeding 240 m.p.h. What you want the fin to do will determine what it should look like. Mahalo, Rich (Halcyon Custom Fins, Santa Cruz)
What you dont see on the outside: The True Ames Greenough PaddleFin 9.75" has internal structure thats impossible for ANYONE to commercially produce by hand. Either with exotic composites and/or traditional laminating materials. There are simply NO qualitative comparisons to any similar-shaped fins. The paddlefin was originally developed and tested by George Greenough for sailboarding. Built to withstand more velocity and torsional stress than any conventional surfing fin could endure. As usual, mainstream surfing is stumbling and bumbling along, decades behind the G-man`s ideas. http://www.trueames.com/stage_6.htm
What is the internal structure you’re talking about? The site just says traditional fiberglass sheet lay-up.
rocklobster, Chuck Ames said that the 9.75" Greenough Paddle Fin is molded primarily because the fins very narrow base needs a high concentration of unidirectional fiber for strength to withstand all the lateral stress. Part of the idea behind the GPF fin is to direct the twist/torque from the upper sections “paddle” area into the base, and yet have little side to side flex… the opposite function of George`s earlier fins. The smaller True Ames GPF fins bear less load and are laminated in a conventional manner. Dale
i have a 9" gpf which is a neat fin.however, i am getting major stress cracks in mid area of base.Think i should try the "special"9.75.