Attaching C4 blades

[fpernett]

Finally have my C4 blades and the sporasub footpockets. I want to know if there is any instructions or advice in how the blades should be attached.
I did it once, long time a go with the old model of Cressi gara, but I just screwed the blade to the footpocket.

Thanks for the help

 

[Bill]

Frank
If I remember right, C4s fit the Sporasub pockets well. I wish my feet did. Mount the blades and screws, bend the rails out 60 degrees and shove them over the blades. Works better if they are wet or even lubed. You may have to trim some rubber because the notch doesn't line up. If they don't fit into the rails right, you can glue or tape them. They break easily when the rails come off.
Aloha
Bill

 

[immerlustig]

the only things i could think of is to not tighten the screws too much to avoid breaking the carbon, and to glue the blades into the side parts. i used regular silicon. i used the fins a lot in the last 2 years and never had any problems.

roland

 

[fpernett]

Thanks for the info, to both of you.
Do you have any diagram?.
There some plastic things at the beginning of the blade (and seem to be glued) should I leave it there or take it away? (see attachment)

 

[Golfinho]

Frank,

That's the rubber track for your rails to slot over and grip, be careful easing the footpocket rails onto these rubber edges (tracks) as the rubber is very delicate, especially if you intend on removing the blades again to alternate blades from time to time. Another DB member and myself both had problems with this and are awaiting news from C4 in case it was just a bad batch of rubber. We'll let you know the outcome shortly!!!

Did you buy the flaps or falcon???

Saludo Golfinho

 

[immerlustig]

that´s interesting. all c4´2 i ever saw had the carbon molded into a t-shape to fit into the side parts of the footpockets. these things on your fins remind me of the waterway fins. hopefully the c4´s are of better quality. once you glue them in i´d avoid ever taking the blades out of the footpocket. if these rubber-things rips off the blade (when you take the blades out) you have a problem.

roland

 

[Golfinho]

The waterway baldes have strong rubber edging, i've noticed... the C4 flap has a much weaker rubber edging in comparision, very interesting, maybe this is only on the new flaps, a new design.

Be interesting to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience with these blades....

 

[Jon]

Those rubber flaps must be something new as none of my C4's have any rubber edging on the sides- just the rubber rails on the bottom of them. Mine do have carbon-fiber rails at the top of them, but these are not thick enough to actually hold the rail into the foot pocket.

All of my blades are glued in. One pair was done with 3m's 5200 marine sealent and the other pairs were done with regular old Aquaseal. I have one pair mounted into a pair of Sporasub pockets and the other two mounted into OMER pockets. I used to have one set mounted on a pair of Spetton footpockets, but liked the Sproasub's better and switched them.

Special Fins have a really nice rubber rail all around their fins, the best I've seen so far. The top part snaps right into the footpockets to hold them in palce, and the bottom part comes up higher to help channel water down the blade. They even have a bit of rubber around the very tip to help protect the blades from getting damaged.


Jon

 

[sniper nick]

lubing the foot pocket rail up definatly helps, if you force it when it is dry you may cause the glue that holds the rubber on to part, then you will have to glue it back on again.

i haven't glued my Falcons into my omer foot pockets, they fit realy well, and there is only a little play in it when you vigourously shake it, but under normal kicking it doesn't play.

Taking the foot pockets on and off will damage your foot pocket before the blades, ive taken mine on and off about 8 times so far so my customers can try the fin with a smaller or larger foot pocket, and also try the 80's, and what has happend is the little skinny bits at the end of the Omer foot pock have broken off. The foot pockets have stayed on fine with out the little skinny bits with the plastic clips on.

What I will do is put a rubber washer between the screw and blade, i haven't done it yet but would recomend it.

Best Solutiuon if you can>>>>>Once they are in a foot pocket- leave them there!!

 

[fpernett]

Thanks for advice to all of you, I don't plant to change the footpocket (just if it get broken). I'll follow all the tips.
Golfinho:
I choosed the Falcon 80

 

[Golfinho]

Roland / Frank,

is the rubber different to this on the falcon 80 ???

you can see a small portion of the problems in this photo.

 

[fpernett]

NO, it's the same

 

[fpernett]

Well, I made it. Thanks Bill, the lube advice was very helpful.
I didn't have to glue anything, with the rubber rails, the footpockets match perfectly.

I was a little bit dissapointed when used in the pool for the first time, my feet are narrow and the footpocket didn't match, I didn't feel any difference (in performance) comparing it with my old Cressi 2000 HF. "Wasted my money"-I thought. For the second day, I used a 2 mm socks and try to slow down the kick, it was perfect, I was able to make 5 times the 87% of my personal best, without feeling tired my legs. I love this fins!!

 

[Bill]

Frank
Sorry for not saying anything about the kick. If you've been fin swimming for a long time, the 'proper' kick for the 80s will seem very wide and slow at first. Even with a warning, it took a few months before the performance levelled off.
I also like to kick five times, wide and soft, at 30 meters instead of gliding. Use almost no energy for a 30-40% speed increase. Wait til you come up from a deep dive. That's where they work best.
If you glue the blades on, they will be stiffer. It's hardly noticeable with the 80s, but seems to make a big difference with the 40s.
Aloha
Bill

 

[aydin]

Hello Bill
Do you use Omer footpockets for the 80 's ?
I think sporasub footpocket,esp. on the rubber ending sides are a little bit stiffer than the Omer ones.
I am using already WW but willing to buy an 80's .
Aydın

 

[octopus]

My experience with C4 80 Flaps and Spetton footpockets.

I am not quite happy with the fact that screw-heads are not in the same plane as the blade surface. :rcard

Spetton footpocket for 40-42 seems to be totaly different in shape from 42-44. Sock or no sock, they do not seem to be the right shape. I would not recommend them, but if anyone wants pair of Spetton footpockets 40-42, drop me PM. :rcard

Once you put blade into footpocket, it is not advisable to remove it as you'll damage the rubber (that is for C4, Waterways is fine). :rcard

I have to say that manufacturer kindly offered to replace damaged rubber, but I wonder if the new rubber will be any better. I am a bit dissapointed with very limited number of blade changes one can make (one in my case). :hmm

I also have to say that Waterways rubber on their fibreglass blades is by far superior to C4 and proves that it is possible to design this properly.

I would use this opportunity to ask for advice. Would it be possible to have C4 80 Flaps fitted into Waterways open-heel pockets (like those on the photo) ?

Could anyone recommend footpocket for C4 80 Flaps, to be worn with no socks? (I find Cressi Gara2000 shape very good).

In case that someone from Waterways reads this...could I buy rubber in question from you (so I would glue it to my C4 blades)?

I cannot comment on C4 80 Flap performance, as I haven't tried them with decent foot-pockets.

 

[Bill]

Hello Aydin
Yes, the OMER pockets fit better than Sporasub for me. Any stiffness seems to be lost when the foot pocket moves around or if I use booties.
Aloha
Bill

 

[fpernett]

Thanks for the advice Bill
I noticed that. But after a lot of different finning techniques I found the one that give me the less work and the more distance. I'll have to wait for deep testing, because don't have deep waters near my home.
I think the screw that I use for the blades was a little big (see attachment) what do you think?.
Octupus:
I agree with you the most comfortable footpockets I ever used was from my Gara 2000 hf, the Sporasub Elite doesn't fit me as well, but a 2 mm sock is not such a big deal.

 

[Bill]

Maybe a little big Frank. One thing though, if you need another 10 cm for a record some day, you could probably gain that much by turning the bolts over and doing a little filing.
Aloha
Bill

 

[fpernett]

Maybe a little big Frank.

rofl rofl rofl

Sorry Bill, I couldn't resist.

But now, seriously. What do you suggest?