Silicone Tail Drainage Hole

For all the mers out there who have made their own silicone tail, did you add a drainage hole to your tail? And where did you put it? I am going to attempt to make my own silicone tail soon and I would like to have all the info I need before I start!
Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Maris

For all the mers out there who have made their own silicone tail, did you add a drainage hole to your tail? And where did you put it? I am going to attempt to make my own silicone tail soon and I would like to have all the info I need before I start!
Thanks!

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You always need to add drainage to your tail, you could drown if you don't. People leave holes at the end of the fluke (so when you sandwich the 2 fluke halves together you don't glue it shut entirely but leave holes for drainage) so the water doesn't get trapped

I put mine at the bottom of the fluke. (where the straws are in this pic)
Attachment 41955

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Originally Posted by Mermaid Fenicia

I put mine at the bottom of the fluke. (where the straws are in this pic)
Attachment 41955

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I was actually thinking about using straws when I make mine! I am glad I am not the only one who thought of it!

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Originally Posted by mermaidrobynn

You always need to add drainage to your tail, you could drown if you don't. People leave holes at the end of the fluke (so when you sandwich the 2 fluke halves together you don't glue it shut entirely but leave holes for drainage) so the water doesn't get trapped

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My tail from merbellas was the first in the industry to be commercially made to have drainage and that was only finished in January 2015. Mers have def been swimming for years without drainage. It most cases flukes are so sealed down that you only get a little water in the, anyway. My orange tail is the only one of my 5 that has drainage. Once Raven did it everyone started doing it commercially. (I can't recall but I am sure the odd person making their own tail likely experimented with drainage too) so even though it's pretty standard now, it wasn't then!

My tail has piping in it and it has three drainage spots where it comes out. I think the piping is important rather than just a hole, because a hole can split with time thanks to the force of the water coming out. but with piping the hole is sealed around it and the water is directed where to go. Raven sculpted it so the piping comes out the center of the fluke tip, and then also through the ridges. Leaving a hole or cutting a hole may end up making your fluke unsandwhich

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Originally Posted by AniaR

My tail from merbellas was the first in the industry to be commercially made to have drainage and that was only finished in January 2015. Mers have def been swimming for years without drainage. It most cases flukes are so sealed down that you only get a little water in the, anyway. My orange tail is the only one of my 5 that has drainage. Once Raven did it everyone started doing it commercially. (I can't recall but I am sure the odd person making their own tail likely experimented with drainage too) so even though it's pretty standard now, it wasn't then!

My tail has piping in it and it has three drainage spots where it comes out. I think the piping is important rather than just a hole, because a hole can split with time thanks to the force of the water coming out. but with piping the hole is sealed around it and the water is directed where to go. Raven sculpted it so the piping comes out the center of the fluke tip, and then also through the ridges. Leaving a hole or cutting a hole may end up making your fluke unsandwhich

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When I mean't a "hole" I just meant somewhere for the water to exit, whether that be an actual hole or the piping :)
I can't remember but when I first started mermaiding a year ago, I saw a tail where the drainage hole was right where the scales ended.
Do you think at least two drainage pipes through the fluke would be good, or should I do a couple more?

I have 3 and I find it helps a lot!

Seconding Raina, my tail has 7 all together, 2 where the scales end on each side and 3 in the fluke section.

Thank you everyone for your input!!! ;)

Hi Raina! Do you know if Finfolk drainage holes are made on piping system? My silicone tail is a Finfolk, but i don´t know in witch system the drainage holes are made. I jus´t got curious.

I don't have a finfolk tail sorry, I am not sure if they have drainage at all. I think raven is the only one who uses the piping method commercially.

Anyone with a finfolk tail know? I've not seen their silicone tails in person recently.