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| http://www.blackprojectfins.com/ |
Not so long ago I posted a preview of this new findesign and had afterwards a short facebook message from Chris Freeman who suggested I fire away some questions for Tom Hammorton about the new speedfins, and we speedsurfers always like to know more about new things ;)
1) The Black Project Type S 29 and 32 Type S fins look like being perfect for World Cup speed surfing. Are these also made for GPS records on flat water, or is there something additional planned to use for GPS speeders (who mainly surf on flatter water)?
The Type S is definitely good for World Cup Speed. It is a real world speed fin (rather than a pure canal fin) and can handle a wide range of conditions. The Type S was developed on Maui in quite challenging conditions. Basically speed sailing involves sailing through heavy chop and surf hunting for small patches of flat water between the waves. So I developed a fin that has a lot of control and is super stable with great acceleration. It is a true speed fin as the proprietary laminar flow foil is designed specifically for very low drag at low angles of attack found on a deep broad reach. For most people this fin will work best for them in most conditions.
I have put the 26cm to the test with a very over powered 7.3 weather and never had any control issues and recorded 36 knots in pretty rough conditions (29cm would have been correct size).
I am however working on a new asymmetric fin specifically for very high speeds and super flat water. This fin may only be available as a custom order item as there are not that many people who can really get the most out of it. I might do a moulded carbon version if there is enough demand. The Type X with not be sold by length but by a speed rating; 40, 45, 50+ knots!
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| Type S in finbox |
That is classified - but you are fairly close! The foil is optimized angles of attack associated with speed runs where it maintains laminar flow over a large portion of the chord. It is not prone to laminar bubbles and can go to a very high AOA before stalling (spin-out) so you can be confident it won't mis-behave. In simple terms it is designed for broad reaching and user friendliness and can be sailed back upwind relatively easily. The current foil is the result of 3 years of development and is very well refined.
3) Finish of fins this is a HOT topic for gps speedsurfers, especially trailing edge is often not that great. Now the Black Project Fins have this print on the trailing edge, I am afraid the trailing edge is not that great finished (round thick), please tell me this is not the case??
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| Type S |
4) What about one foot off versus length for the Type S fins?
I don't really look at that. Total wetted area, loading and water state are the most important considerations. I know some people want a simple answer but there are no shortcuts to speed. The system as a whole has to be balanced and work together, so single specific number does not really mean that much.
5) Do you have anything to add about the Black Projects Fins for speedsurfing, maybe how the Type R fins perform for speed?
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| Type R |
I think the best selling point of the Type S is that it just gives you total confidence. For a start it is durable, I have hit coral heads and turtles without doing any damage beyond some fine scratches. It is easy to sail with great control and won't let go unexpectedly. And of course when you catch that gust you know you are just going to take off in a massive burst of speed!
Very nice interview with much of detail.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree about durability, I have hit the same rock near where I launch twice and barely even scratched the fin. I have also run aground in shallow sand without a scratch. I hit that same rock with a select S11 and destroyed the bottom 5cm of fin.
ReplyDeleteI am really happy with mine, and now have 6, soon to grow to 10