Used Fins - What to Stay Away From

[PakiBoy]

Aloha fam - I'm looking at upgrading from plastic blades to a fiberglass composite. I'm a 100% shore dive spearo, so I kinda feel like carbon is out.

I've seen more than a few fiberglass blades for sale at MUCH better prices than new, wondering if there is a reason why before actually pulling the trigger......

specifically Dive-R's. Their real popular among the spearo's here in Hawaii due to their durability (?) or maybe their fashion (the tako print is MEAN) and I've seen a few on Craigslist for about half the sticker price.

mahalo Nui Loa,
PakiBoy

 

[Mr. X]

Yes DiveR fins look cool. Not aware of any problems. You might want to ask the sellers why they are selling. They may have given up spearing or need cash or might have decided to upgrade to carbon or downgrade to plastics or maybe don't fit well. But, yes, they might be having problems with them or figured they have worn somehow, lost some spring perhaps?

I expect they are probably ok. Buying fins is always a bit tricky, even from a store, you really need to do a few hours diving to really get to know them. Buyer beware

 

[marco15499]

I think they're selling them because switching to carbons. Probably you'll do the same eventually.

If you swim a lot, get soft blades.

 

[musubi]

Aloha fam - I'm looking at upgrading from plastic blades to a fiberglass composite. I'm a 100% shore dive spearo, so I kinda feel like carbon is out.

I've seen more than a few fiberglass blades for sale at MUCH better prices than new, wondering if there is a reason why before actually pulling the trigger......

specifically Dive-R's. Their real popular among the spearo's here in Hawaii due to their durability (?) or maybe their fashion (the tako print is MEAN) and I've seen a few on Craigslist for about half the sticker price.

mahalo Nui Loa,
PakiBoy

People sell here in Hawaii for numerous reasons, fiberglass, carbon, or plastic. Each one has their merits, but I haven't any of my carbons be an issue for me shore diving. I take more care in my carbons, but I've been out in rough stuff and it's pulled me through.

As Mr. X pointed out, it's not easy finding the fins you want. I just went though almost a 6 month journey buying and feeling different fins (spent too much on shipping back). Unlike new cars, a lot of places won't let you test it out (with refund). Which I can see, but it makes it frustrating.

I think fiberglass is more durable than carbons. It's just denser/heavier. Some of my friends swear by them, but most of my buddies run carbons and I haven't heard of any of them breaking. Best on finding your fins.

 

[Mr. X]

I watched some video on spearing in Hawaii. Looked like long or awkward walk-ins can be part of the experience. It occurs to me that the light weight of carbon blades could be a benefit if you have to carry your fins far. Just a thought.