DIY Monofin Idea?

[ParadiseFish]

Hello Mer-community! I'm relatively new to this hobby/network but through much self reflection I want to be part of this great thing we call mermaiding!
Now, that being said; as everyone knows, at some point you want a silicone tail (I mean, who doesn't?)
And I've been contemplating making my own further in the future. And after looking at some tutorials and such I've had a few ideas of my own.
Now I don't know if I will ever go through with this, but if I do this would be very helpful to me and perhaps others.
Ok ranting done, my question involves this, instead of buying a monofin and laying down a good deal of cash, I want to make one. And I had an idea.
Many people say water collects in their tails and you have to choose a specific type of monofin depending if you want a nice flowy fluke or a stiff one for good power in your kick.
I was thinking of using the plastic similar to that of a fly swatter.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/08/30/ea9a07dced7974576c948cefe082b576.jpg
Yes I know it seems silly but think about it, it has holes in it for both sides of the silicone to join together into one piece, and it gives a very floppy fluke.
Now to the experts here, do you think this idea would work? Would it be too floppy?
Thanks for any and all advice! :)
(Also I'm sorry if I placed this in the wrong place, I'm still a noon here)

[Lostariel Telrunya]

It's a neat idea, but the problem is, if you are going to put silicone over it, there won't be any easy way to clean it if any water gets inside the holes. Even if you do fill in the little sections, if you leave any gaps free that can get filled water, it will eventually become infested with mold. You're better off getting some lexan. Go to the 'Making Tails' section, it will have all the info you need. :)

[ParadiseFish]

Oh I do see how that could be an issue... But thank you very much! ;D

[PearlieMae]

Actually, it could work, I've tested the same theory with Lexan. It does have to be sealed all the way around, so the foot area would have to be solid, like rain boots. You would have to add drainage slits in the foot area/base of the tail.

[Lostariel Telrunya]

See, even if you do have the solid foot panels in there, I would still say it's too big of a risk. If anything happens that lets even a little water in there, that can be a big problem, even with drainage slits.

[PearlieMae]

Sorry, I don't agree. Time to prototype! :)

[Lostariel Telrunya]

Well we may as well, right? You never know for sure until you try it :)

[Aziara]

I would say to make sure that whatever plastic mesh you use can handle the stress of being bent repeatedly without taking damage. If you have found a suitably strong material, I'd say to try out some small prototypes, and stress test the heck out of them. The prototypes would also let you see just how floppy the fluke would be, and whether you would get enough propulsion from it. Good luck!

[ParadiseFish]

Thank you all! :) this input and advice is very helpful!

[AmbrGlows]

I enjoy my FinFun monofin. It is a thin piece of Lexan in a neoprene sleeve. Your feet actually touch the lexan and are not in their own pocket. I can send pics to help you understand this concept. I've thought of buying lexan and neoprene to create my own fluke.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Materials like the plastic fly swatter, they break easily. And also the material breaks down faster, becomes brittle and are not flexible like lexan.