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.
. So the performance EXCELLENT! performed, solid off the wind felt fast. Upwind performance was very good as well. Sailed a couple of hours with the tide quite high at the end of the session & the water really sloppy & rough at the end of the session & the fin still held on, impressed even with my tired lazy sailing. only spun out once pushing hard upwind & broke through a crest of a wave. so for a first run one happy sailor.
AHD150
ROCKET 135
