Hi Guys,
I wrote an article for HSD magazine awhile back on the evolution of blue water guns and where they have headed as far as improvements. I basically said that Wings do work and provide ballast and bouyancy for the bigger guns, but in a nutshell it is better to design the gun without wings to help increase thier manuverability. Here is a short piece on the guns.
Blue water guns
The early versions of bluewater guns were bulked-up reef guns, varying in weight from ten to twenty pounds. Large wings were added to increase mass and resistance in the water. This helped reduce the recoil produced by multiple bands needed to increase the shaft range. However, these guns now became bulky, cumbersome, and less maneuverable in the water. Also, accuracy diminished due to shaft whipping from the additional bands.
The newer generation of bluewater guns have addressed these problems. They retained the weight and mass, but they have gained in accuracy and maneuverability. This is due to design changes in the shape of the guns and the guidance system for the 5/16 to 3/8 inch shafts. These guns have tapered stocks and enclosed track guide systems built into the stock, among other things. A tapered stock adds mass, increases buoyancy, and enables weights to be added internally, with centralized ballasting throughout the long axis of the stock – producing a more streamlined and balanced “feel” to the gun.
With improved technology and design, the modern day hunter can now have a more efficient hunting tool to land large bluewater pelagics.
Wings can make the bluewater gun very cumbersome and if you think pushing around a 15-18lb gun is bad, try moviing it when it is paddle shaped.
There is another reason that some use wings. It is because spearos are trying to improve on their guns by adding on wings rather than getting a gun built specifically for the job.
Production gun manufacturers are bound by only a few models that are made in
large quantities. In their defense they have to invest a lot of money to
mass produce a certain model, so they have to limit themselves on the number
of models they are going to produce to get their investment back. They
basically say, ok we think these few models will work for 70% of the spear
fisherman's needs. The other 30% can just adapt the gun to what they need.
Or they make one style of gun and then just make them bigger or smaller and
if certain needs are required, and then just make add on attachments to help
increase the power or decrease the recoil. Why not make a gun for what is
needed or using the right tool for the right job.
So this is just my opinion about wings. There is nothing wrong with having them. I used to make them on the first Blue water guns I made. Its just sometimes there are better ways to acheive your goals. This is one of the nice things about making guns. I can bult them the way I want and what the spearos want.
Mark, You are right about quarter sawn. I always used to look for planks that are cut that way. Also the tighter the grain the denser the wood. I used to do this religiously when I would buy my wood.
The reality of it now is that teak is getting harder and harder to bring in. I normally buy 200-400 board ft/year and the price and the quality is getting worse and worse with each order. I can no longer pick through a thousand board feet at my wood source. It is a take it or leave it policy now. I have to order the exact amt I want and then they will bring it in. Not all are quartersawn planks and not all are dense.
But I have also learned that even though quarter sawn grain is great, it is not an absolute requirement. Like I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, the most imprtant thing is to be careful in how I laminate the wood and to make sure the pieces are straight to begin with. I also learned that even though many laminations of smaller pieces of teak are less prone to warpage, I did not notice any difference. I have had to restraighten a few stocks that were multi laminations done by others and myself. So now I usually laminate only two piceces vertically and one horizontally across the top.
Steve Alexander one of the most respected custom gun builders uses only two pieces of Teak liminated vertically and he has been doing this for years.
So the main thing is make a gun that will make YOU happy to use and as long as it kills fish who cares. Thats the fun of making your own gun. Sorry about the long winded post.
Aloha, Daryl