Quote:
Originally Posted by Mullins
Tails need angle of attack in order to create any forwards thrust. Humans wearing flat blades have 0 degrees angle of attack. In order to get any angle, a blade needs to flex. Otherwise you'd just be pushing a flat surface sideways through the water, for no benefit....
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Hi Dave -- I just checked the fin again, and it does have flex front-to-back. More flex in that direction than lateral (folding).
But I'm not sure I agree with you and flat blade thing. I've worn very stiff, basically flat fins, and there's still plenty of thrust (maybe not the most efficient). What you have is a foil moving through water at different angles depending on where your legs and feet are. And also depending on the shape of that foil. I'd love to see a diagram or a computer animation showing lift and drag forces of various fins in motion. Anyone have that???
