http://www.lowpressuresystems.com http://www.lowpressuresystems.com
Just wondering what you thought of this system. It looks like a good idea, but the fact that the fins are building pressure then releasing (by flexing) over and over again seems like a lot of stress to be putting the fin plug/base. Or is the stress the same on a rigid fin? What do you think?
Just wondering what you thought of this system. It looks like a good idea, > but the fact that the fins are building pressure then releasing (by > flexing) over and over again seems like a lot of stress to be putting the > fin plug/base. Or is the stress the same on a rigid fin? What do you > think? I spoke with this company at ASR. Their approach is very different from ours. The stated enhancement of “Speed Fins” is flex of the trailing edge of the fin that is allowed because they support the fin from the front. In order to maximize this flex characteristic a more pliable material is needed. Most of our team feed back has been that they like the extra rigidity of Red X. So, we have focused on stiffer fin materials and shapes. That is not to say that under certain conditions more flex is not desirable. It’s just that we feel it is easier to get more flex from a stiff fin system than it is to get more rigidity from a flexible one. “Speed Fins” also are using a no tool approach to securing their fins. They snap in place. We have focused on base rigidity. Consequently, have a matching taper fit between the root of the fin and the cavity of the box. This acts like driving a wedge into a crevice. It just gets tighter and tighter as it is pulled in. A screw and nut are mechanical devices which allow the installer to pull the wedge into the crack farther than you could push it in by hand. The end result is less movement at the base. The method of installation on “Speed Fins” relies upon increasing surface area of the resin column relying upon the bottom’s glass laminate. We have seen time and again the boxes relying upon the bottom laminate only have a much higher rate of failure than Red X. The bottom line is that there may be some advantage from a flexible trailing edge in lower pressure applications. But, when you are hanging it out there on the edge at Maverick’s, Pipe even Black’s you want be confident in the rock solid feel of your fins. That’s where Red X has focused our attention. We want our flex to be controlled and focused at the tips.
Tom ,sorry for the slow reply,I will e-mail you later today. I like both,flex ,and stiff, they both have there places.A few years ago, I was approached by a vendor ,and was asked to try a Waltie swivel fin that has alot of the same benefits of a flexable trailing edge,in smaller surf they did allow me to turn a tighter arch,and generate energy,but in any sizable stuff with push they tended to bog the board down.I havenot tried this new fin, so I cannot personally say anything specifically about it,but I like the idea.Herb.
I’m not qualified to judge systems as well as you, but… I have seen fin boxes which adhere to the foam, but only adhere to the glass at a cut glass edge around the box’s perimeter. They broke loose with only moderate force. I think it makes a lot more sense to join the fin holder to glass over a large area. If you can do that to both top and bottom glass, the attachment will be even stronger. There’s a BIG difference between a flexible fin and a weak fin attachment, IMHO. If I were making a flexible fin system, I would at least try to keep it on the surfboard, like your system.
Noodle, Greater bond surface area is good when the two mediums have the same flex characteristics. But, in the case of most performance short boards today, there is a degree of tail flex that is designed in. The columns of resin and the boxes that they hold in are rigid. So, the longer the interphase between the two dissimilar materials and the more dynamic the flex characteristics of the boards tail, the greater the propensity for the two to seperate.
Tom, Does Red X have a web site?
Tom,>>> Does Red X have a web site? Yes, we do. It’s listed under resources. But, here it is. www.redxfins.com