Making a Fabric tail should I cut the monofin? (More details)

[Iaira]

Hi all!


I'm a new mer earning my tail in the Arizona Desert O.o

Anyway, I have every intention of making a full silicone tail in the near future however, to get used to the idea of swimming properly, I'm making a fabric tail. Just a "simple" spandex one. Assuming (and intending for) my monofin (a FINIS Wave) doesn't give out, I'll be using it in my silicone tail.

My question is: should I cut the monofin into shape NOW or wait until I begin construction on my silicone tail?

Sorry for the long lead in but, yeah lol.

[Mermaid Momo]

Depends, do you need to cut it for your fabric tail fluke shape? Or do you want to cut it now ?

[Merlia]

I didn't get it if you wanna use it for your fabric and your silicone too?... :confused:
If it works well with the fabric at all, you should wait until you get started with your silicone tail.

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

The more you cut off a wave, the worse propulsion itll have. Its a floppy fin to start. I recommend the lace method to get the fin to stay inside the silicone fluke.

I recommend waiting. Swim in it fully intact for a while.

I decided against cutting mine for my silicone tail. I reworked the fluke so it can stay full.

[Seatan]

I agree with Mermaid Jamie. I would actually plan to make the silicone tail fluke big enough to cover the whole fin if you are just using a Wave--they are relatively tiny. I didn't even want to cut my Rapid and am making my silicone fluke big enough to fit the Competitor in its entirety. I am not a fan of cutting monofins if at all possible to build out--they were designed that size for a reason and every time you make a cut you compromise the usefulness just a little bit (and, if you cut it wrong, the integrity).

[Jadestone]

If you want to change the shape of your fluke to be more mermaid-y, you can try extending it instead of cutting it for now! Then when you do to make your silicone tail, you can remove the extra bits.

[Miyu]

I extended the ends of the fluke on my fabric tail to get the shape I want without cutting my monofin - and my monofin is bigger and stiffer, but I still don't want to cut a monofin >.<

[Vrindavana Starfish]

I don't have advice, but just wanted to say hi! I'm in AZ too. :)