Feedback on size and dimensions?

[mermaidjanie]

Hi everyone, I'm Jane, part of the Sun Tail Mermaid team. We're in the process of designing our larger fin and wanted to see what you guys thought of the size and shape. It's 23" wide and currently just a little over 21" long. We originally had the foot area longer and a bit narrower making a fin that was about 24" long, but after viewing some of your photos of broken / cracked monofins, the engineers thought widening that area and making it a little stockier would help a lot in the strength department. These will still fit US women's foot sizes from 7 to 12, probably higher, I still need to test on some men.

It will be like our smaller fin with ridges and it will come in great colors. The foot pockets are removable in case y'all want to glue neoprene booties to it instead -- I'm going to do some testing with that and make sure it's a viable option. The foot pockets will have additional straps though so you can really secure your feet to the fin fully.

Any feedback on the size and dimensions? I really want to make a monofin that pro mermaids will love.

Excited about this! Thanks, all :)

p.s. I need a couple more testers. I've got volunteers noted in my other thread, but holler if you'd like to test one. The tester fins will be white. Mega bonus if you have a website / social media you could share the review on. Let me know. I'll have them by early summer.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I have youtube channel, I'll make sure to put my review on public but the comments will be disabled. I don't have thick skin to handle the nasty comments!:$

What I have found and experienced with the plastic Fin Fun monofin, is that when I flap it, the bending occurs right at my toes. I think if that part was a bit wider and stronger, it wouldn't bend so easily. Its also the same area that others have experienced cracking of their fin. That is a lot of wear and tear, what with bending and flexing, and all kinds of beatings some merfolk make it do...:lol:

Also less of a scoop in it might give it a bit more propulsion.

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

Excited to see a monofin that'll fit those of us with big feet. I can be a tester if you want, I can also get my friend to help out. I wear a Men's size 9, and he is a men's size 10 or 11 (I forget which.) And we're both pretty tough on monofins. I could also give it a test in a tail, the monofin in both my fabric tail and my latex tail are removable.

[mermaidjanie]

Awesome you guys, thanks. I'll have a video you can see soon with the shape I have planned for the bigger one. <3

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Ooo! Looking forward to it! I just really want a new monofin that isn't black or an institutional yellow.
And where I don't have to worry about ever cutting another fin, and that fits into the premade tails that I've got. It has to be sturdy, gives nice propulsion but also soft and beautiful in water.

[Mermaid Fenicia]

I still want to test one, I have Facebook, Google +, YouTube and and underwater-camera (that also can film) ;)

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

I would love to test one, but I'm in Australia... Does that count me out?


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Do you have any images or links to images?


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[Mermaid Jaffa]

Do you have any images or links to images?


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Wesley, here's what the kids one looks like. Adult one will be bigger size I think.
http://www.suntailmermaid.com/

More pics on the fb page.
https://www.facebook.com/suntailmermaid

[merkitty]

I would love to test a monofin! I have a Tumblr and Instagram that I would be able to post reviews on :D

[Elle]

I would love to test one, but I'm in Australia... Does that count me out?


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I was thinking the exact same thing

[Mermaid Jaffa]

I'm sure if the postage is decent, us Aussie mers can have one each to try out, if there is enough.

[Elle]

I'm sure if the postage is decent, us Aussie mers can have one each to try out, if there is enough.

Well if that's the case I'm quite happy to test it out

[MerMel]

Could always see if any of your american pod mates can strike a good deal somewhere and mail them at cost to you... ;)

[mermaidjanie]

Hi guys, this is Jessica on Jane's account. Sorry we've been swamped getting the Kickstarter up. You can take a look here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/verymom/sun-tail-mermaid-a-better-monofin-swim-flipper It has lots more info on the larger fin and more video. It's going to fit up to a men's size 12 foot (probably 13, too I just don't have testers that large).

I'd love feedback on what you can see so far - At this point the strap locations are very easy to change. I actually have four in my working prototype, but my engineer thinks that's overkill. I want to allow you guys to be able to really strap your feet to the fin at the arch / bridge area, plus across the widest part of the foot before it hits the toes. Then have two more straps for minimizing stretch. Maybe three is enough. Maybe two... let me know what you think.

No, being in Australia doesn't count you out. I think I'll only have 3 or 4 testers, so I will let you know! I really appreciate it. Thank you, thank you!

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Wow, I love the shape of the monofin! Would you mind explaining how the strap system works? I can see that you put your feet into a pocket of sorts, is there something inside there that holds them in? I had a fin fun monofin once, and it had similar pockets for your feet, but I found if I kicked too hard that my feet would slip out, so I assume the straps are to solve that problem?

[Seraphina Suds]

That shape is perfect! And I'm so happy to see that you'll have such a range of sizes! I wear a mens 10 (womans 12 if I want cute shoes ;c ) and have wide feet. I'd be more than happy to test a fin. I run a popular mermaid tumblr that I could post the review on, as well as my own various personal mermaid pages.

[mermaidjanie]

Hi Mermaid Kate Silverfin. Yes, it's not like Fin Fun's where you put your feet in and they're just loose inside next to the plastic, ours has actual foot pockets, there is an inner mesh wall that divides the feet and your feet rest on soft mesh, not plastic. The straps go up through the bottom and wrap all around the fin. They are adjustable. Placement of the straps is still being tested, but one for sure will go across the bridge of your feet and you can make it as secure as you like. Your feet won't fall out. :o)

[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

That sounds great! I'd love to try one! I have a mermaid Facebook page that I could post my review on :)

[Mermaid Jaffa]

If we are successful at becoming your fin testers, do we get to keep the fin forever?

[Rett]

I would be SUPER interested in testing one! How much would it cost (Im saving for college in a couple of years and am on an extreme budget). I am currently starting up an Instagram and can post a review on there as well as here and then (possibly-- the odds seem to be good) post a swimming video on youtube advertising the fin to get you guys some business. :D

I love the idea (and the fact that its bigger than a regular fin fun or magictail fin!) Looks super promising. Again, i would LOVE to test one out if you guys are still looking for testers. Thanks ;)

[Rett]

Dont like double posting, but I wanted to ask how stiff the monofin would be. You said you are hoping they'll be received well and that more professional mers will use them, so i just wanted to throw out the fact that blade stiffness plays a big role in determining whether or not someone buys it. I recommend making them at least as strong as a Finis Rapid, that would ensure good propulsion and people would likely be more inclined to purchase them.

[mermaidjanie]

I would be SUPER interested in testing one! How much would it cost (Im saving for college in a couple of years and am on an extreme budget). I am currently starting up an Instagram and can post a review on there as well as here and then (possibly-- the odds seem to be good) post a swimming video on youtube advertising the fin to get you guys some business. :D

I love the idea (and the fact that its bigger than a regular fin fun or magictail fin!) Looks super promising. Again, i would LOVE to test one out if you guys are still looking for testers. Thanks ;)

Thanks Rising Mermaid, testers would just pay the cost of shipping I think. I'll know more when I have the prototypes in hand :)

[mermaidjanie]

Dont like double posting, but I wanted to ask how stiff the monofin would be. You said you are hoping they'll be received well and that more professional mers will use them, so i just wanted to throw out the fact that blade stiffness plays a big role in determining whether or not someone buys it. I recommend making them at least as strong as a Finis Rapid, that would ensure good propulsion and people would likely be more inclined to purchase them.

In tensile strength testing, ours is as strong (or stronger) as the Rapid, but it's not as stiff. The plastic in the Rapid is more brittle and it can crack over time with use. I think we've solved that with our more pliable, yet still super strong plastic :D

[Rett]

In tensile strength testing, ours is as strong (or stronger) as the Rapid, but it's not as stiff. The plastic in the Rapid is more brittle and it can crack over time with use. I think we've solved that with our more pliable, yet still super strong plastic :D
That is fantastic news about the strength! The level of propulsion was my only concern, and as long as that isnt an issue, Im excited to see the fins go into production!

[Rett]

Thanks Rising Mermaid, testers would just pay the cost of shipping I think. I'll know more when I have the prototypes in hand :)
Sounds good, I would love to be able to test one!

[Rett]

Quick question Janie, what are the final dimensions? When this thread started you said 23" wide and 21" long, but in the kick-starter it says 18"x18". Which one is it? I like bigger flukes and would much prefer the larger 23"x21"

[mermaidjanie]

Quick question Janie, what are the final dimensions? When this thread started you said 23" wide and 21" long, but in the kick-starter it says 18"x18". Which one is it? I like bigger flukes and would much prefer the larger 23"x21"

Oh! The 18x18" is the kid size, the graphic on Kickstarter is animated to show the difference between the teen/adult size which is 21" x 24" wide. I added an inch to the width, I just thought it looked so much better. So the teen/adult is 21 long (back of heel to front) and 24" wide side to side. Hope that makes sense!

[Rett]

Oh! The 18x18" is the kid size, the graphic on Kickstarter is animated to show the difference between the teen/adult size which is 21" x 24" wide. I added an inch to the width, I just thought it looked so much better. So the teen/adult is 21 long (back of heel to front) and 24" wide side to side. Hope that makes sense!
Okay good. I much prefer larger flukes (the larger the better! :D) Do you know how small/large it will look on someone when worn? I (and I know many people agree) hate it when monofins looks small when worn. The dimensions look big enough but I just wanted to make sure ;)

[mermaidjanie]

Okay good. I much prefer larger flukes (the larger the better! :D) Do you know how small/large it will look on someone when worn? I (and I know many people agree) hate it when monofins looks small when worn. The dimensions look big enough but I just wanted to make sure ;)

I do, I'll have pictures soon. I'm 5'10" with size 9 feet and it looks great! It even looks good on my 6'4" 250lb husband with 12.5 size feet :D I'm allll about proportions, so that was important to me too. It doesn't look too big on teens either, it's really pretty.

[Rett]

I do, I'll have pictures soon. I'm 5'10" with size 9 feet and it looks great! It even looks good on my 6'4" 250lb husband with 12.5 size feet :D I'm allll about proportions, so that was important to me too. It doesn't look too big on teens either, it's really pretty.
Sounds great! Excited for those pictures! :cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerleader:

[Silva]

Do you think size 6 (sometimes 5) feet would fit the adult monofin? I feel like childrens size would be out of proportion fore me- too small. I have teeny tiny feet lol.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Do you think size 6 (sometimes 5) feet would fit the adult monofin? I feel like childrens size would be out of proportion fore me- too small. I have teeny tiny feet lol.

It says teen to adult feet on their fb and kickstarter pages.

[Silva]

Oh ok, if its too big it'll just stuff some fabric or something in the toes, but i'm pretty sure it would fit.

[Rett]

Janie, do you have any idea when you will be ready to start testing?

[mermaidjanie]

Hi guys! Sorry for the delay in answering questions over here. Okay first here's an update on the teen/adult monofin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw8YJQKRcsc It shows some photos and video of the prototype on my feet so you can kinda get an idea of the size... though I need some not shot by myself so you can see more of the proportion. I'll get that soon.

The mold is being made right now, so I'm hoping to have the first white (no-color) testers in hand in 2 - 3 weeks. I've already got the larger foot pockets to test, but I could use a couple more that haven't been marked up by me.

I'll need two testers from MerNetwork, so PM me your details (foot size, facebook pages, etc.) and whether or not you'd be able to do a tester video and the like. I wish I could send one to everyone!

@SeaStarShimmer I think it'll work just fine on your feet. I'll grab my sister and have her try the wooden prototype out, she's got the same size feet as you :)

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Hi Janie, I watched the latest vid but I can't tell... Is the foot pocket area solid or curved?
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[mermaidjanie]

Hi Janie, I watched the latest vid but I can't tell... Is the foot pocket area solid or curved?
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Do you mean the plastic part? It's not flat, there is a ridge all around and down the middle (between the feet) for max propulsion and strength.

[PearlieMae]

Hi...I looked on your website and you mention polycarbonate is brittle. That's not correct. Polycarbonate can be quite flexible.

[mermaidjanie]

Hi...I looked on your website and you mention polycarbonate is brittle. That's not correct. Polycarbonate can be quite flexible.

Yes, it can be flexible and quite swishy and pretty in the water (though in our testing it didn't provide much propulsion), but we also found that it broke frequently. The brittle meaning that it snaps, especially when kids are using it and bouncing on the tips and such. Perhaps there is better wording that we can use, but that's what we observed. We were personally quite afraid that a child would get cut because the polycarbonate would snap right around the feet area, and it was always really sharp.

[PearlieMae]

Gotcha. Thanks for the fast reply!

[Mermaid Jaffa]

How do we know if we've been chosen to test? Do we get an email confirmation?

[mermaidjanie]

How do we know if we've been chosen to test? Do we get an email confirmation?

We haven't been able to line up testers yet, since we were still working on the mold production. If I still need testers you should hear in a week or so... fingers crossed that the plastics company ETA is right this time!

[mermaidjanie]

Gotcha. Thanks for the fast reply!

No problem! Maybe clear polycarbonate works better with adult pro mermaids who know how to swim with a monofin carefully?

[Rett]

How do we know if we've been chosen to test? Do we get an email confirmation?
I would love the opportunity to test one! I'll keep my scales crossed! :rotfl::sad eyes::rotfl:

[Yulia]

I saw someone on here testing polycarbonate by almost folding it in half, and nothing happened to it.
And I also know Pearlie made many prototypes of her monofin in polycarbonate, but it was much bigger.

[mermaidjanie]

I saw someone on here testing polycarbonate by almost folding it in half, and nothing happened to it.
And I also know Pearlie made many prototypes of her monofin in polycarbonate, but it was much bigger.

Cool! It just broke more often than we liked in our testing so we didn't feel comfortable using it on a product we would be selling large-scale. :)