The NEW Flex Fins for Kayaks.

Right before the 2007 Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Comp, I was approached by Demany Smith about the fins I had been working on (Thanks to Rod Michael) with Chuck Ames from TrueAmes. I told him that the project was seemingly put on hold by TrueAmes for they didnt see a real market for the fins. Chuch Ames and I had spoke extensively about the idea behind flex fins and the limitations with surf kayaks as it relates to the dynamics of fins, and he thought it was right on.

This is not a new concept, by any stretch. Its been around forever. If you look at surfboard fins, there is a degree of 'flex', but not with the typical fins we were using for the surf kayaks. Why not use what they were doing with shortboards, and do a 'hybrid-crossover' (I like to call it that...) to a modern surf kayak.

I have been using the Christo fin I got awhile back, and although I truly believe that there is way too much flex in them, and they are too thick (causing drag, which doesnt really allow for larger fins. We are always definning surf kayaks...) they work relatively well. Alot of people dont like them, but, like I say, you have 'think ahead' when using them. The forces put on the fin in an aggressive bottom turn or manuerver is extreme, so what happens with a flex fin that 'flexes' too much is that you get an unpredicatable spring 'back' action. Which is not a 'natural' feel.

When I told Rod Michael at his now famous Pitas Waveski Expression Session about a year and half ago, he said he could help get my ideas into production. He was the one that so graciously took my fins and my ideas to Chuck Ames. Chuck took the Christo Fin, but modified the foils, etc, and made a typically standard fin that you would buy from TrueAmes (which alot of are using) but way thinner, with a predicatable degree of flex. I used these fins as well as Fletcher Burton and felt the difference right away. I knew that we were on to an improvement.

So, now the present. Like I said, I was asked by Demany Smith about the flex fins. I said 'no real plans' for I had no other options. Or, so I thought! He has a great relationship with Rainbow Fins and said he will speak with them about talking with me about the ideas and maybe they would produce them. In SC 2007 I met with Shawd of Rainbow. He initially didnt understand what I was saying...its hard to translate the ideas to someone with no surf kayak experience (but, of course, Rainbow makes a very nice product and they have a multitude of experience) and without actually showing a model of what I was talking about. I took Shawd to my truck, where I had a model of the fin Chuck Ames made for the project. Shawd immediately exclaimed, 'I know now exactly what you are talking about, I will make you 2 sets and have them to you in 2 weeks.'

Sure enough, today, I got 2 sets of the new fins. One of the problems, also, with most of the stock fins is that there is no degree of outer angle. The fin itself just masks the fin insert for the box. Shawd told me he would fix that. The typical fin degree on a surfboard is 8 degrees, he said, no problem. They can do it.

This is so important because in the new style of surf kayaks the bottom designs, from hip back to tail, is totally flat. When I started putting fins in the Johnson style boats, I installed the boxes flush with the chine, which acts as the outer angles. But, now, the new school kayaks dont have that chine to work with any longer. It was always a big concern. But no more! The outer fins, left and right, have 8 degrees, of outer angle. This aids in an agressive turn and more agressive, snappy turning radii.

I have to say. I am not a hydrodymic professional nor an expert in how fins work. But, I have alot of sense of what works. With that being said, all I can do is to become acquainted with people who hear me out and think about what I say, then come to their own conclusions. They agree with me, but without great companies like Rainbow Fin Company, this would not have been a reality.

I also need to say, that working and speaking with a guy like Chuck Ames was an honor. And Rod Micheal. Sometimes ideas are brought into production because of a money driven business agenda, but, sometimes, ideas are brought out because a company believes in the sport.

Rainbow Fins believes in paddlesports.

Thanks for reading this. I will keep all updated on availability and specs of sizes etc. Plus, the initial testing of these prototypes. Keep an eye out here! And thanks to Demany Smith...without him, this also would not have happened!

Sincerely,

Vincent Shay
www.vincentshayphotography.com