My observations as a new mermaid

[Sherielle]

I just recently dived into the mer world. I initially ordered a fabric tail to learn with because I read "Don't get silicone for your first tail". Then I lucked into a fantastic deal on a used silicone tail, so I bought it as well. They arrived within a day of each other. I started off just swimming with the monofin from the fabric tail and I loved it. I was FAST underwater and the feeling you get was amazing. Then I put the fabric tail fully on. Ooh, the drag. The fabric tail has a dorsal fin on it so I'm sure that's a huge contributor to the drag factor. It also seems to be fairly loose on me, even though it was a custom tail. All in all, I like swimming in it, though I missed the speed of swimming with just the monofin.
Then I tried the silicone tail. That mother is heavy, lol! I'm rather out of shape, so I consider just putting it up to dry an upper body workout. When I first put it on, there was a big wrinkle at my ankles and the tail came up to right at my hips, which resulted in a muffin top. Not what I pictured as a beautiful mermaid, but I knew that the more I swam, I would hopefully lose the muffin top. I swam with it again last night and tried using a silicone free hair conditioner to help lube up my legs getting into the damned thing. Darned if my husband and I got the tail to fit all the way to my waist and it fit perfectly!!! I was so happy! I swam better in it too, since there weren't wrinkles in it to cause more drag. I'm still slower than with the monofin alone, but I can deal. My one problem I seem to be having with it is that water seems to cause the fluke to balloon out some. Is this normal or should I try to get this fixed?
All in all, so far I really enjoy the silicone tail and the fabric tail. Each have their pros and cons, but I'm happy to be finally with a tail (or two).
Just rambling, but I wanted to share with those who would appreciate.

[Mermaid Octavia]

My one problem I seem to be having with it is that water seems to cause the fluke to balloon out some. Is this normal or should I try to get this fixed?

If water is getting trapped in the fluke or the foot pocket area, it sounds like your tail needs drainage slits! If the fluke is a solid piece of silicone, maybe you could cut a few small slits in the monofin foot pocket area to let the water drain through the fluke as you swim? That should prevent it from ballooning up - it's a symptom of poor or no drainage.

You look beautiful in your tail! Congratulations!

[PearlieMae]

You're never going to be as fast as naked legs and a monofin, but a monofin does not a mermaid make!

And yeah, slit it so the water drains...doesn't have to be big or obvious, the pressure of the water as you swim will force the trapped water out.

[Echidna]

Question!
Fabric tail vs silicone, directly compared...produces the fabric tail noticeably more drag, or is it about the same?

I'm a bit dissatisfied with my fabric tails because I love to swim fast and I'm used to swim naked with just fins on, so I'm speed spoiled.

[Sherielle]

Question!
Fabric tail vs silicone, directly compared...produces the fabric tail noticeably more drag, or is it about the same?

I'm a bit dissatisfied with my fabric tails because I love to swim fast and I'm used to swim naked with just fins on, so I'm speed spoiled. I have noticed more drag with the fabric than with the silicone. I would think that it would be faster but like I said, mine has a dorsal fin and fringe on the fluke. When the silicone tail finally fit properly, I was much faster, though still not as fast as with a monofin alone. Definitely faster than with the fabric tail.

[Sherielle]

You're never going to be as fast as naked legs and a monofin, but a monofin does not a mermaid make!

And yeah, slit it so the water drains...doesn't have to be big or obvious, the pressure of the water as you swim will force the trapped water out. Agreed! I've been meaning to ask Jesse about cutting slits in the fluke since he is the original maker of the tail, but he seems so busy lately I don't want to bother him with my little concerns.

[MarkF]

It's the floppy extension of the tail that's slowing it, isn't it? I would think the silicone legging may add some diameter, it also reduces bumps and lumps for a better flow.

I have 2 more customer projects, then operation Big Fish begins for me.

I'm excited for you Aurelia

[Sherielle]

It's the floppy extension of the tail that's slowing it, isn't it? I would think the silicone legging may add some diameter, it also reduces bumps and lumps for a better flow.

I have 2 more customer projects, then operation Big Fish begins for me.

I'm excited for you AureliaThe fluke has a finis foil in it, which is much smaller than the actual fluke. I'm sure that gives it drag.

[Lostariel Telrunya]

Hey, quick, slightly strange question that may be shot down immediately: Do you happen to play Magic the Gathering? There's a card named Aurelia and I just had to ask...

[Sherielle]

Hey, quick, slightly strange question that may be shot down immediately: Do you happen to play Magic the Gathering? There's a card named Aurelia and I just had to ask...No, I don't. I just liked the name and it seemed like there wasn't many other mermaids out there with the same name. I didn't want to be just another Ariel or Lorelei. Cool about the card! My husband used to play M:tG

[AniaR]

I have a Jesse fluke. He doesn't glue them down and over long term they will split from the weight of water. Putting slits in ours caused a lot of issues and the monofin ended up breaking through. We take time to prop the tail up slightly to let water from fluke drain into tail and then out the waist before posing for pics etc. Sean will physically pick the Mer up wearing it and drain her

[AniaR]

Jesses tails are just heavier and thicker in general. My Merbella is huge but barely any drag. I can't personally swim in my Jesse tail cuz of it. But my other mers have no problem.

[Sherielle]

Sean will physically pick the Mer up wearing it and drain herLOL. I'll bet that's one crazy photo op.

[Sherielle]

I have a Jesse fluke. He doesn't glue them down and over long term they will split from the weight of water. Putting slits in ours caused a lot of issues and the monofin ended up breaking through. We take time to prop the tail up slightly to let water from fluke drain into tail and then out the waist before posing for pics etc. Sean will physically pick the Mer up wearing it and drain herAnd that is so good to know. It's not causing issues now and I'll be sure to drain the fluke as I am wearing it. Thank you!

[Sherielle]

Jesses tails are just heavier and thicker in general. My Merbella is huge but barely any drag. I can't personally swim in my Jesse tail cuz of it. But my other mers have no problem.It is definitely thick. I'll be interested in seeing the difference when I am able to purchase a custom tail of my own. Of course that will probably be a few years down the line.

[Sherielle]

I have noticed that it is rather see through in the lighter areas and in the fluke. I'm not too happy with being able to see the yellow monofin.

[Echidna]

I have noticed more drag with the fabric than with the silicone. I would think that it would be faster but like I said, mine has a dorsal fin and fringe on the fluke. When the silicone tail finally fit properly, I was much faster, though still not as fast as with a monofin alone. Definitely faster than with the fabric tail.

Thanks for clarifying!
Looks like some day, I'll have to invest in a silicone tail no matter what. :gah:

[AniaR]

Yes ours is very sea through all over but it is also lighter color scheme

[MermaidCelesteFL]

Mine is also getting transparent around the Foil. It seems to be a common occurrence with Jesse tails. However, I don't have a hard time swimming in mine. I go freediving in my tail as often as I can, with no issues.