FangyFin DIY help, hints and show us ya fin page

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fangman said..
This season's winner for the 'Most Damage to a FF in a Single Crash' goes to Lombok.
I don't think I have heard the whole story, but somewhat mysteriously and obviously quite suddenly Lombok ran out of water. Those of you who have attempted to damage a FF previously ( not looking at you Tricky), will appreciate the amount of effort Lombok has put into mangling both the fin and board. I am amazed he walked away from this with nary a scratch!

And the end result - Peter Perfect's repair. The man is a magician!

I think there may be a hotted up version of FFs now. Like Repco-Holden, there'll now be Waricle-Fangy

Received a few days ago the new baby from Fangman. It is a 21-Speed. Latest version has got all I dreamed of and I left it in its original shape.
- the outline has a bit extra rake in the bottom part
- the fillet is a bit longer and it is easy to give it a sharp front edge
- the head is a few mills shorter than a tuttle box, so it fits without any grinding and it is possible to thread your bolts placing it more or less forward in the box.
- It is a bit thicker that last year's prototype, but slimmer than the standard fangis: from my experience should make it a perfect all round fin, already did my second best hr and alpha pb with the prototype
- it is a lot lighter than the standard earlier versions, weighs 900 grams, which is close to a similar size G10 delta fin.

I am really looking forward to test it, for now a couple of pictures.

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powersloshin said..
Received a few days ago the new baby from Fangman. It is a 21-Speed. Latest version has got all I dreamed of and I left it in its original shape.
- the outline has a bit extra rake in the bottom part
- the fillet is a bit longer and it is easy to give it a sharp front edge
- the head is a few mills shorter than a tuttle box, so it fits without any grinding and it is possible to thread your bolts placing it more or less forward in the box.
- It is a bit thicker that last year's prototype, but slimmer than the standard fangis: from my experience should make it a perfect all round fin, already did my second best hr and alpha pb with the prototype
- it is a lot lighter than the standard earlier versions, weighs 900 grams, which is close to a similar size G10 delta fin.

I am really looking forward to test it, for now a couple of pictures.

Crikey P'slosh you were fast! (Loving the monochramatic :-). Waricle and I haven't even had a chance to photograph, nor try ours out yet either, but very excited to give then a whirl too. We have a couple of demos done so hopefully the conditions will suit a fin/sailor/sail/combo on the next windy day. Now, can someone organise a good weedy springtime growth so we can test the weed shedding further?

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fangman said..
Crikey P'slosh you were fast! (Loving the monochramatic :-). Waricle and I haven't even had a chance to photograph, nor try ours out yet either, but very excited to give then a whirl too. We have a couple of demos done so hopefully the conditions will suit a fin/sailor/sail/combo on the next windy day. Now, can someone organise a good weedy springtime growth so we can test the weed shedding further?

Crikey Fangy, Southeasterly crankin' today down at Lilacs, so where were you?

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GazMan said..

fangman said..
Crikey P'slosh you were fast! (Loving the monochramatic :-). Waricle and I haven't even had a chance to photograph, nor try ours out yet either, but very excited to give then a whirl too. We have a couple of demos done so hopefully the conditions will suit a fin/sailor/sail/combo on the next windy day. Now, can someone organise a good weedy springtime growth so we can test the weed shedding further?

Crikey Fangy, Southeasterly crankin' today down at Lilacs, so where were you?

Blouse shopping with Morts!

Tried the fin today in very shallow water with not much weed, but an area had floating weed. Wind was 15 to 25 up and down, had 6.6 with board 90/59 wide.
I am super happy it feels very solid under the foot, goes upwind very well, goes over the floating weed with hardly a motion, and never spun out in the small chop.
Was doing 28 knts accross the wind, great fun. I think your latest design is close to perfection, are you making any other sizes?

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powersloshin said..
Tried the fin today in very shallow water with not much weed, but an area had floating weed. Wind was 15 to 25 up and down, had 6.6 with board 90/59 wide.
I am super happy it feels very solid under the foot, goes upwind very well, goes over the floating weed with hardly a motion, and never spun out in the small chop.
Was doing 28 knts accross the wind, great fun. I think your latest design is close to perfection, are you making any other sizes?

Good news mate! I thought my prototype was good buy from the feedback I have got so far, I think I can stop stressing that is was just me blowing my own trumpet! I am really stoked you had a good session - can't wait to see some more nautical miles from you on this combo.

Finally got around the putting the solid and hollow sp21's on the scales. The hollow has more metal removed as it is combined powerbox/tuttle and the solid is tuttle only. Not a lot of difference and certainly doesn't effect the speed.

With the major chunk of testing complete and Tricky starting to dent razorfish already, I thought it was time I had better put pen to paper and detail the development of the FF21Speed.
Short Version - The FF21Speed is a low lift fin designed for weedy and shallow waters where outright speed is the desired trait above all else. It retains the confidence-inspiring handling characteristics of its siblings but trades off some uphill ability, for slickness downhill. Like me, it's tough, skinny and super good looking.* (*Warning-may contain traces of marketing bullsh!t)

Long Version - for those faced with a slow arvo at work, or for those still mourning the demise of Heavy Weather and know this much aluminium is somehow bad, or good or responsible for COVID-19, Bill Gates and 5G.

Development - the first version of the fin was the FF22 Sid Vicious. With the invaluable feedback, I got from the team of FF Crash Test Dummies around Australia a few changes were made.
1) A more highly swept tip to try and deal with LG and Budgewoi weed.
2) A slightly thicker chord with more surface area to improve sail range and upwind ability.
3) Extended and thicker fillets at nose and tail to allow for more grinding/shaping options.
4) The smallest box section possible, but bigger bolt hole placement area to give wider scope for fore/aft placement preferences and to counter slightly more aft fin COE.
5) Hollow internal foil section within the limits of casting requirements.

The box section is as small as possible, so it's a loose fit in a tuttle box with the load borne exclusively by the fillet. For those that like it snug, it will require some resin filling.

3D Printing- as per usual once the CAD was finished it was off to Nebbian for his usual 3D printing masterpiece. And as usual, it was Batman Black!






The third section above is the internal hollow pattern.

Casting - Fred at the Foundry has his usual concerns about getting the hollow foil to cast nicely. The initial few batches had very low success rates due to the tolerances between the hollow box and the foil being just too fine. Lots of perforation failures result. The hollow is gradually reduced to allow for a reasonable casting success rate. The fins weigh in at approx 750 grams.

Testing - Peter and I prepare one each for a test run. Of course there is now no wind... Finally, the day arrives, and Stretch volunteers to do the deed. One run and he is back. I am thinking ' Crap it's a lemon! But it turns out, he just forgot his watch. A sigh of relief, but I am still nervous as a dog with balls at the Vet. At the end of the day, he is within a whisper of 40knots max and 100kms distance. On what was an ordinary sailing day, I am pretty happy with that! Not long after, Powersloshin and Tricky have similar success on their first outings. A string of Top Ten Fangy Days for me.

THANKYOU to all those that had a dice with FF22Sid Viscious prototype and the resultant feedback that gave rise to the FF21Speed, too many for me to remember without leaving someone out. Suffice to say, to all those who own a piece(s) of aluminium from me, you have contributed by helping subsidise the cost of developing and manufacture of new fins. I really appreciate all your support.
A very special thanks for Tricky and Powersloshin who gave their time and skills for doing the prep and testing at Budgewoi and LG etc, and finally Waricle who has patiently taught me a shed load about metalwork, been an invaluable helper, supporter and all-round brilliant Crash Test Dummy.

Photos to show the size in comparison. Courtesy of Waricle :-)

FF21Speed vs FF20


FF20 and FF21 Speed


L-R FF20, FF21Speed


L-R FF21Speed, FF20, FF22 Waricle's LG tip mod version.


L-R: FF21Speed, FF22 Waricle's LG tip mod version.

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decrepit said..
Great stuff Fangy, ypu've almost convinced me to give up on my stainless leading edges, and buy FFFs

I reckon your love for the grinding of stainless will never fade, but if it ever did, well I would regard that as the greatest compliment

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kato said..
Ok. I've been playing with a Fangy fin for a few sessions now, mines a FF28 Kato Kustom. Modified to provide great lift in very light winds but have a better top end than the standard. Hopefully around 33kts. Haven't had the right wind to test the top end but I've had a few sessions in that 8-15kt range.
This is my take on it

^^ the intro with the cans morphing into the fin is gold Kato. Still laughing several hours later

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kato said..
This is my take on it

Hmmm, there is something very familiar about that 9m sail

That fin certainly looks like it works very well with that combo' just more evidence that you really are onto something Fangman.

Just recieved my FF24 n FF28.
Im keen to set up each fin as tuttle n powerbox. Can this be done? Order of mods to get it there.
1. Cut finhead to powerbox outline
2. Mark out tuttle screw position in board n drill.
3.Taper sides of head to fit PB in board, mark n drill.
4. Adjust fillet flange to suit each board.
* My AHD150 has concave either side of finbox.
* Rocket 135 is V.
Will it be possible to modify so i can swap fins between boards? Maybe i will need a gasket?
AHD150

ROCKET 135
So thats the first time ive put the HAT (hull assessment tool) on the AHD. Surprised at its shape. Overall concave nose to tail with secondary concaves which run from mastrack to tail. Different looking beast compared to normal designs. Works for me.

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olskool said..
Just recieved my FF24 n FF28.
Im keen to set up each fin as tuttle n powerbox. Can this be done? Order of mods to get it there.
1. Cut finhead to powerbox outline
2. Mark out tuttle screw position in board n drill.
3.Taper sides of head to fit PB in board, mark n drill.
4. Adjust fillet flange to suit each board.
* My AHD150 has concave either side of finbox.
* Rocket 135 is V.
Will it be possible to modify so i can swap fins between boards? Maybe i will need a gasket?
AHD150

ROCKET 135
So thats the first time ive put the HAT (hull assessment tool) on the AHD. Surprised at its shape. Overall concave nose to tail with secondary concaves which run from mastrack to tail. Different looking beast compared to normal designs. Works for me.

Hey Olskool, good to see the fins arrived if n good time! Yes, you can set it up to suit both boxes and I agree with your plan. I would add, having stripped a few PB threads myself, defo use the brass barrel nuts supplied for the power box fitting.
The fillet can be substantially narrowed in the midsection - see Kato's FF28 above - up to half its original width. (In that case the outline the fillet makes is more cigar shaped, rather than be a true reflection of the foil.) Hopefully a gasket will then take up the slack. The AHD is the most aggressive tail V I have seen, so I am really keen to see how you go - keep us posted!