Quote:
Originally Posted by Mullins
Go on Andy, take a great big chunk out and see what happens  |
Hey guys, I couldn't resist. Howz this for a big chunk cut out? ;-) See below pic.
[I hoping my photo uploads and attaches here... don't really know how to do it]
I'm the newcomer/beginner here and have been posting on another thread. So I don't have much mono experience, but it's very intriguing to me, especially the hydromechanics of it all. I've never understood why monofins were designed like spatulas! All that drag in the middle! Seems like a lunate design could work well, don't you think? The photo shows a crude mono prototype that Bob Evans (Force Fin in Santa Barbara) made for me back in 1993-94 when I remarked on the fact that all fast-swimming fish have high-aspect-ratio lunate-shaped caudal fins (e.g., swordfish, blue fin tuna), and most monofins did not. Bob patented his design in 1994 (you can see his patent on that "Weird Fin Collection" link). As I said, the prototype shown is crude... needs more gradients and things (it's basically a flat piece of fiberglass). Anyway, I took it on a pool test drive recently, and it worked for me (again: not experienced), although clearly room for improvement. The bungie/web strap foot pocket looses some energy transfer (and probably creates drag), but I like the comfort and toe-in design. I have a broad forefoot and have never liked closed foot pockets much. Bob also has different foot pockets with a simple strap in the back; I use the swim-training ones all the time. FYI: Bob has approved my showing and talking about this. I did some marketing for him many years ago, but I have no financial connection to him. He's not currently in production with it so you couldn't buy one in any case. Just for curiosity sake.
What do you think about monos going in this lunate direction? (see also Ted C's "Lunocet")
Harald Johnson
