Gestalt said..
Ive contemplated trying to hand foil some fins. Seems like it would take some skill. Are there any tricks the experienced guys use like foil templates
As a beginner foil maker I've had good results. There are starter figures to go by.
After the plan shape...
This is a rough guide..
Max thickness , one third back.
Maximum thickness 10% of chord length. = maximum grip , slowest.
Minimum thickness 6% of chord length = minimum grip , fastest.
Just for fun fact ...... you can use a smaller fatter fin. Being smaller is also faster.
I know my figures are going to start fights here , but it's a good place to start.
Flex and twist adds a curve ball that fries my pea brain .
A sheet of G10 or G11 is a good material. Not horribly expensive. Then you have to cast it into a head. Or get 10 mm thick stuff for a US box.
Go for it if you have something in mind that you can't buy. It's a bit of work.
Pics

ps: The more I try to understand fins , the more my brain hurts. There are so many variables that rules don't always make sense .
The best advice I got here years ago was , " try as many fins as you can , and just keep the ones you like.
Everyone has that old blunt hacked fin that they love.
And if your thinking of making a set of 3 or 4 for a wave board , good luck.
Id suggest deciding how much toe in is correct and go from there
