Fin Sharpness

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busterwa
busterwa
3782 posts
3782 posts
2 Aug 2011 9:00pm
Just a quick question fellas. (came up the other day)

How sharp should the leading edge on a fin be? and.. Can this edge be removed to prevent cuts namely /laceration type injures?
boardboy
boardboy
QLD
554 posts
QLD, 554 posts
2 Aug 2011 11:31pm
generally a fair bit of r&d has gone into getting your fin to perform the way it does. As a rule i try not to change the leading edge or foil of a fin and will only do work to remove damage to the fin.
I wouldn't recommend dulling the lead edge if you want to maintain performance.
busterwa
busterwa
3782 posts
3782 posts
2 Aug 2011 10:05pm
Some of these fins are like knife edges is it possible to sand 400 grit across the face and take of the sharp edge . i never tried it but have seen a few substantial injuries from it.
So what you reckon.. don't touch them the sharpness on the fin is there for maximum performance.

Just see alot of cuts coming from them especially weed fins
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12885 posts
WA, 12885 posts
2 Aug 2011 10:31pm
The leading edge of a fin shouldn't be sharp! I'd guess even the fin slowy did 50kts on didn't have a sharp leading edge.
There needs to be some sort of radius there, about .25mm perhaps, depending on the foil shape.
Part of a foil description is the leading edge radius, if you can figure out what your foil is, (or the closest thing to it) there are tables online giving leading edge radius.
A sharp leading edge is only good at 0 deg angle of attack, (dead downwind), but you'll probably never use your fin like that. The more angle of attack you use this fin at the more the leading edge will want to stall.

I think you can use 100 grit first then finish off with 400/600, don't make it too blunt though, that can slow you down, just so you don't cut yourself should be fine.

The trailing edge can benefit from being sharp, but making it .5mm square doesn't loose much performance, and is a lot safer.
busterwa
busterwa
3782 posts
3782 posts
3 Aug 2011 10:30am
Sweet Thankyou Decrepit much appreciated.
WaynoB
WaynoB
NSW
393 posts
NSW, 393 posts
3 Aug 2011 12:39pm
Never been got by a standard fin as yet, but a whole different story with weed-free fins.

Too many cuts and nicks to think about from them over the years. problem is usually when water starting or getting out of water or lifting board up by the back strap and copping it right into the shin.

I agree that the trailing edge could be dulled a little with minimal performance loss. Plus the benefit (hopefully) of no blood in the water while sailing. Who wants to stop sailing just because of a little blood?
decrepit
decrepit
WA
12885 posts
WA, 12885 posts
3 Aug 2011 12:18pm
busterwa said...

Sweet Thankyou Decrepit much appreciated.


No worries buster, but as wbailey says, it's usually the trailing edge on weedys that gets you.
wespyyl
wespyyl
WA
118 posts
WA, 118 posts
4 Aug 2011 12:54pm
Funnily enough a flat trailing edge will affect the drag more than a sharp leading edge.

Ever wondered why plane wings have a big round front nose but a very long sharp trailing edge.

The trailing edge gradient will determine the pressure drag coefficient
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23688 posts
WA, 23688 posts
4 Aug 2011 1:01pm
wespyyl said...

Ever wondered why plane wings have a big round front nose but a very long sharp trailing edge.



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