Thanks Trux,
The design is far from being finished, remember it's just a 5 min sketch containing some general principals explored in this thread. As for dimensioning with wood I think it's better to start out with a little over dimensioning and than shave of the abundant excessive wood. The fixation in the middle will be on two points, about 28cm apart on a solid plate in such a way that the wing will behave as one UNinterupted wing.
I'm confident that about 4 to 5 cm (2"!) wood is strong enough to hold the momentum generated over arm of about 47cm.
The surface area (70 x 60 x 2/3 ) I calculated of traditional monofin was mend to chart, estimate, the FORCE a swimmer could apply. I think the
effective fin area of such fin is about 70 x 10 cm.
What I hope to achieve is to have a [much] better efficiency due to a [much]more favourable 'effective fin area' to 'ineffective fin area' ratio.
I think the same thing Ted already has achieved with his inspiring Lunocet design.
Secondary I learned that apparently there were rules in the fin swimming sport limiting the length of the wing, traditionally the width of the monofin blade. This together with maximum force swimmers can have on their ankles, coping with the momentum generated by the length and surface of the fins, limit's 'the growth' of the monofins.
This explains also why I would like to have the wing closer to ankle.
Well just been designing again, and it's great fun, though before publishing I need to sleep a night over it. Just like you trux to get a good grasp of what I want in my aqua foil, WaterWing fin. Hell that sounds like a nice brand name! LOL funny how those neurones get fired up, even at such a later hour!
Love, Courage and Water!
Kars
