This is really interesting stuff, thanks so much for the brilliant input!!!
Yes I’ve been mulling around with this idea for a while now, I feel the need to be more creative after a long hiatus…
I’ll be making a boxed version to start with, Chip’s got long boxes in his boards, especially the Maladjusted, so he could play around with the distance in front of the fin, single screw and base plate…
One question I need an answer to, how far apart would be a good average to start with to have an effect on the centre fin?
Thinking that the trailing edge of the setup would be 1" in front of the fin, maybe 2" - 2.5" apart should be a good starting point…
“One question I need an answer to, how far apart would be a good average to start with to have an effect on the centre fin?”
Try the starting point you picked. Trust your instincts.
These kinds of things do not have any effect until after 15 of degrees AOA. Neither positive or negative. But after that the positive effect is great enough to be measureable with no measureable downside or drag. That’s according to the sensitive instrumentation used by NASA.
But like I said trust your instincts. The human brain is an amazing calculator even when you don’t realize it’s working.
If it looks good it probably is.
I put MVGs a thumb width ahead of the Trailer. Most people have a thumb to measure with at the end of their arm which saves looking for a ruler. Interestingly a thumb width is also the height of the finlet. Perhaps there is a connection there?
Well I’ve made a start on the TFSI (Twin Fin Stupid Idea [=Black][=1]patent pending[=Black][ 2])[/][/][/][/]
I built a base to lay the system up on the inside sections are 1" wide and the outside sections are 3" wide, the gap in the middle is to fit into a box…
The sides fold up to form a 90 degree setup
Covered the lot with PVC to stop it from sticking to the wood
I tried explaining this to Chip over the phone what I was doing, hope these piccies explain what I’m trying to achieve mate…
…well, thanks for the vote of confidence hicksy and herb !
Even with the photos i’m still in the dark hicksy . i eagerly await seeing more […now all we need is some rideable waves ,eh ?!]
cheers
ben
…I bought three more carborundum blades for my jigsaw this morning , so i should be back in business cutting out some more fin panels soon [i have 14 fins waiting in the wings to cut out , and 30 to foil …busy days ahead , hopefully ?!]
OK Chip, the bits sticking up will be the fins, the flat section between the sticky up bits fits flush with the bottom of the board (this will be foiled to fit reduce drag), in the middle is a section that fits into the fin box, this is where I’ll drill a hole to fit the screw and plate that holds it into the finbox…
There are two systems on the mold…
There will be no pin on this as it’ll be held by one screw dead centre between the front and back of the device…
re : hicksy’s ‘Rabbit Ears Easter Fin’ [‘R.E.E.F.’ system ]
okay , i have it in my possession now …caught up with hicksy at [god forbid!!] a clubby event at scarborough on saturday , he gave me the fin , and i hastily departed [lest anyone see me , a surfer , mixing with g-string wearing fatarse 50 year old blokes !!]
and
i took it for a paddle on this , on friday…
[the 7’ single fin]
unfortunately the surf was borderline , and i woulda been better served using my 9’er.
…so instead , i took watershots of paz on his mal [no he didn’t trial the system .]
I’m hoping the forecast 3 metre swell and offshores [east nor’easterlies] eventuate tomorrow , as this will most likely translate to smooth head high waves at scarbs , and the system is ready in my blue 9’er now !!
Excellent job Hicksy, unique idea, professionally finished. Great job of foiling and symmetry and crafting it to look like a really functional piece. Im jealous.
My performance guess is that because its forward in the box it will help initiate turns a little sooner and because of the width, it will provide a wider more stable base from which to turn off. Anyone else got any guesses?
i’m still a bit worried about snapping it , as it IS very thin , Hicksy ! [just on 2mm on the leading edge ??]
i think it felt like it was flexing INWARDS [on itself] on the one rideable right hander i caught on monday .
i’ll give you thirty layers of 4 and 6 oz for the next panel you make , mate …
hey , by the way … in the original photos , there areTWO yellow u-shaped bits …does this mean you have ANOTHER ‘R.E.E.F.’ there somewhere , Grant ?? [if so , maybe i can make that one thicker , if you like ?]
cheers
ben
…on my 5’11" prawn , set up [?for slightly bigger , hollower waves [?tomorrow? / winter??] …
Thanks Brett, and thanks to Chip for trialling it, albeit in less than perfect conditions.
I do agree that it needs to be thicker and I do have a TWSI blank ready to foil, I score some more glass off you and thicken it up a bit. The one you have does have some flex but I think the epoxy is strong enough to hold it together, especially since the base sits flush with the board giving it a little more support, not too bad for a tester setup.
Chip, when you used it on the board did you notice any effect that the system was there?
