Carbon fins...

[freespirit]

Carbon fins... Beuchat vs Beuchat, Beuchat vs Breier...

Hi everyone,

I`m thinking on stepping on to carbon fins, but still have many doubts around... carbon blades vs plastic ones, do they worth the price when talking about effort/impulse ratio , is it really that noticeable...? And how to NOT choose the wrong ones...

I`ve been using the Beuchat Mundial Competition, size 41/42 with 2mm socks, 5mm suit, and i was wondering what about changing to the Mundial Carbone Pro, but also saw the Breier Carbon with Beuchat footpocket on Scubaland.fr ... in several stiffnesses

I don`t feel the Mundial Competition being too stiff, but instead, maybe... just maybe they could be just a little more stiffer at deep... But i do feel they`re the real thing. (well, they could be a little less "wide" as they touch often when kicking! but apart that only and minor flaw they`re just perfect!)
I`m about 1.71m/5.7ft tall, around 69kg/152pounds, average athletic strimlined body...

, and for now i`m diving máx to about 30m/100ft.

I would thank any tips, even just any knowledge when comparing both fins, comparisons between both Breier and Beuchat carbon models and even between the plastic and carbon from Beuchat, OR EVEN other brand you may want to give your wise opinion (maintaining always the Beuchat footpocket option!).


Thanks in advance to all replys and sorry about the "extensive" questioning...

 

[hteas]

There have been a lot of discussions on DB about blade material. There is definitely a difference in the feel of casrbon or fiberglass compared to plastic. More snap and a feeling of greater speed.
The only test I know about is
http://forums.deeperblue.com/general-freediving/75390-cheap-fins-expensive.html
Read down to Dave Mullin's fin test graphs. he doesn't think there is any real difference in performance in constant ballast dives to 30 m. For him, stiffness is the most important factor.
Personally, I like my carbons and also my fiberglass blades. During the winter, when water temperatures get close to freezing, plastic blades get really, really stiff. My Imersion carbons don't seem to get any stiffer. They also feel faster, summer or winter, but that is probably perception.
Personally, I rate fit and comfort of the footpocket first, flexibility second (fairly soft for me), and blade material last

 

[Mullins]

Yeah I reckon that getting the right blade length and stiffness for your body shape and dive style is way more important than whether you choose carbon, glass or plastic.

Cressi LDs suit me very well and I don't care that they're plastic. Will Trubridge rates the Merou carbon blades very highly, though I've never tried them. Powell DiveR fins are excellent and they're the only ones I've found that might tempt me into using composites. Only problem with them is they're a bit too long, even for somebody my height. IMHO.

 

[Bill]

For what it's worth, I just bought a pair of C4 Mustang (Wahoo). It looks like they have over 90% of the performance of the best carbon fin and half the price. The foot pocket is very comfortable too.
Having said that, I don't know anyone who bought C4-30's that gave up on them or broke one.

 

[Don Paul]

I using a foot pocket from Dan, @Pursuit freediving & spearfishing gear that is the newer version 44/46 H.Dsssault 100% latex workhorse.
The pockets are matched to Pursuit Carbon med stiffness blades secured with quality black zip ties instead
of machine screws or tapping screws. This makes over torque of the metal fasteners and blade interface a non issue that I like.

I am 5' 11'' at 190lbs and have been swimming against strong currents in open seas for over thirty years.
When I dive offshore from a anchored boat hooked behind a sea mount with strong current, ( no current...
no fish) ... I need to be able to swim up hill all day and dive to depth up to xxxx feet.

Did some more training the day before my root canal

with out the dog.
For the last 25 years I have trained during the winter months using a 10'' 5/8 section of Mori Mean Green
rubber which is connected to a mesh belt I wear, at the other end is a loop of para cord I shackle
to the swim ladder. This way I can swim against the resistance of the band. It is a good drill for building the legs to swim up current for hours if necessary. Of course there is a limit in heavy current, but I have had my anchor pull in big wind while alone and have to swim my ass off to try to catch the boat.

I could not use the bungee cord when I was babysitting the golden retriever as he would bite it and play
underwater tug-of -war.

I have been using very stiff Imersion purple blade fins (not blue) and a ten year old pair of Picasso hard blades and pocket which I broke during a ''swim'' with a angry bull sea lion. I liked the Picasso's but would only use them in blue water because the bad oil can thump when I kicked them too hard.
White Sea Bass don't like this sound.

I am very happy to report Dan's Pursuit Carbon C90 med stiffness in H.Dessault foot pockets are very quiet no matter how hard or soft I kicked them.
I was able to kick them for 4 hr straight with out cramping or running out of steam. My old fins felt like plywood by comparison. The fins just plain kick major ASS without any shortcomings at this point.
Next pool session I'll be trying them with fin keepers but the foot pocket feels great.
I'll be using the fins in a Blue Water Meet in two weeks,going to hit the sea this week end,
I will keep you guys posted. Great product Dan.

All the best, Don Paul _ __

 

[Herup]

Hi Freespirit

Assume you've seen this thread? The guys are discussing the Leaderfins Waves Carbon. Looks pretty interesting because of both price and the angel the blade seem to have. The later improves the up-kick.
And then there is always C4 as Bill mentioned...

Very best regards
H!

 

[freespirit]

Ok people... right now, standing by on about buying new (carbon) fins... for two reasons:
First i`m really satisfied with my beuchat mundial plastic ones (stiff blade), as they`re perfect (like they`re made right for me, for the moment...), even if i`m still thinking about a possible upgrade when going deeper, later...
Second, i`m getting really serious about trying a monofin (right now i`m a "yet no hunter apneist", lol!), which may be nice for pool and sea...
I took in consideration your wise opinions about trying and feeling the fin in "action" instead of just looking for something new as a main goal...
I`ll try the same plastic stiff blades but adding the vanes made for them (the same that come originally with the fiber model), which may make the blades just that little bit stiffer...
Let`s give it a try, and then i`ll try to report how does it feel in "action"...
Thanx to everyone, for the opinions and links here suggested.