Formula Fin Stress Marks

mahagedorn · 6th August 2009, 08:30 AM

Hi,

I have an F161, with the stock Drake 70 cm fin, which I sail recreationally. I'm concerned with the durability of the fin, since both sides are showing a white stress line along the base, one side isn't bad, but the other is a very pronounced white line. Is the fin in danger of breaking? It's not that old, and not that heavily used. Are there other fins out there that last longer, that I don't have to worry about them breaking?

michelb · 7th August 2009, 03:25 AM

Look at this picture...... Imagine planning at full speed and .............. crash.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

mahagedorn · 7th August 2009, 05:53 AM

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of! I like to take my board on fairly long trips sometimes, say up to 10 km from where I launch - that's a long way to swim back!

How pronounced was the stress line on this one before it finally let go?

michelb · 8th August 2009, 02:07 AM

When this happens, the fin had as you said deep fisures between the blade and the head. I remember I was not far to the beach ( almost 1 km) and I manage to return using my harness I just put the harness from the rear strap of the leward rail and drift to the beach.

From this time I always check and double check fin, tendon, boom, and all the ropes, every time I go into the water.

Buy a new fin, the same Drake is a good fin, but as is a very powerfull fin, it's prone to be damaged when you fly it.

Now I have the same fin again from 2 seasons, without problems, and always have a backup ( in my case a Select R03Wide DC Medium) Not the fast fin in the market but as some one said " never go out without it".

Regards,
Michel

6th August 2009, 08:30 AM	#1
mahagedorn New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5	Formula Fin Stress Marks Hi, I have an F161, with the stock Drake 70 cm fin, which I sail recreationally. I'm concerned with the durability of the fin, since both sides are showing a white stress line along the base, one side isn't bad, but the other is a very pronounced white line. Is the fin in danger of breaking? It's not that old, and not that heavily used. Are there other fins out there that last longer, that I don't have to worry about them breaking?

7th August 2009, 03:25 AM	#2
michelb Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chile, Santiago Posts: 92	Look at this picture...... Imagine planning at full speed and .............. crash. [IMG][/IMG]

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7th August 2009, 05:53 AM	#3
mahagedorn New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5	Yeah that's what I'm afraid of! I like to take my board on fairly long trips sometimes, say up to 10 km from where I launch - that's a long way to swim back! How pronounced was the stress line on this one before it finally let go?

8th August 2009, 02:07 AM	#4
michelb Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chile, Santiago Posts: 92	When this happens, the fin had as you said deep fisures between the blade and the head. I remember I was not far to the beach ( almost 1 km) and I manage to return using my harness I just put the harness from the rear strap of the leward rail and drift to the beach. From this time I always check and double check fin, tendon, boom, and all the ropes, every time I go into the water. Buy a new fin, the same Drake is a good fin, but as is a very powerfull fin, it's prone to be damaged when you fly it. Now I have the same fin again from 2 seasons, without problems, and always have a backup ( in my case a Select R03Wide DC Medium) Not the fast fin in the market but as some one said " never go out without it". Regards, Michel