Making a Fiberglass Monofin

**Capt Nemo** · 01-25-2012, 02:12 PM

**gypsymer** · 01-26-2012, 04:17 AM

Capt. Nemo, you always bring me the best stuff.

Anyone speak Russian or know some of the materials used in the video?

My monofin will be a much more ghetto version of that. lol

**gypsymer** · 01-26-2012, 02:36 PM

So I've not yet drawn out the actual shape. I want to go with a marine mammal shape, more wide than long, they seem to have good propulsion and have that shape for a reason.

I have friends who have worked with fiberglass and lexan in the past. I'm still debating which one I want to use, but I do swim in the ocean a lot. Once you put a tail over your monofin you lose a lot of the aquadynamics of it. I can swim so much faster in just my Wave than I can in a tail.

Any recommendations on thickness from anyone? Is a Competitor as thick as a Wave?

Then for adding footpockets, I think I'm just going to get some cheap fins from Walmart and screw those on. I would, of course, drill holes for the screws. Or, I could use my trust weatherstripping adhesive, but I would prefer screws and adhesive. Any thoughts on screws working or not working?

**Mermaid Lorelei** · 01-26-2012, 02:49 PM

I've seen a monofin made using dragonskin silicone to 'bolt' the lexan to the foot pockets. Albeit, the foot pockets were made of the same dragonskin. The idea applies though. I've also heard that screws will work, but I'd be careful about leaving anything sharp exposed.

**gypsymer** · 01-26-2012, 02:55 PM

It will be completely glued inside my tail so anythign remotely sharp should be fine, and I will make sure to grind anything down that is sharp.

**OrcaMatt** · 01-26-2012, 03:37 PM

Anything ever happen with that peel-away sheet stuff from that Russian guy's video? That looked really promising.

Edit: Wait was that you or Sasha working on that?

**γοργόνα** · 02-21-2012, 08:49 PM

I've got a pseudo-brother who speaks some Russian and his best friend's family is Russian.. When he gets the time I'll ask him to do some translating

**ShyMer** · 02-22-2012, 09:23 AM

Yay! I've been hoping someone would bring up these videos. Fortunately it's not too hard to watch without the translation, but there are a few things that just don't work without it.
Do they sell fiberglass sheeting that's made in layers like this? I've never worked with any fiberglass sheeting before, so for all i know it's always in layers.
I hope we can get a translation

**Mermaid Sirena** · 02-28-2012, 01:03 PM

I can't believe I only just saw this! This is awesome!

**gypsymer** · 05-21-2012, 12:33 PM

I have not been able to locate any local companies who sell fibreglass sheets, layered or unlayered.

I did just find a possible company online to order from. If anyone else has any leads on where to find fibreglass sheets, please do share!

**gypsymer** · 05-21-2012, 12:46 PM

http://www.dipcraft.com/pricing.html
I'm not sure if they'd have what we're looking for

http://www.fiber-tech.net/Products.htm
perhaps the ballistic fibreglass on this site?

I'm not wholly familiar with the proper words and language to ask for what we want. This seems to be the common problem we all have in finding supplies to make custom monofins. We're making a very odd thing to the average salesman, not something they're used to encountering.

If anyone gets a chance to call or contact one of these websites before I do, please share your experience and advice with the rest of us.

**Blondie** · 05-21-2012, 01:03 PM

Does anyone know where you can buy just foot pockets for monofins?

**gypsymer** · 05-21-2012, 02:27 PM

I bought some FINIS trainer fins, they're only slightly larger than the foot pocket would be. About $30 at Sports Authority. That's what I'll be using.

**Mermaid Dottie** · 05-21-2012, 03:01 PM

any luck on that russian translation?

**mermaidmeaghan99** · 05-21-2012, 06:00 PM

I found another movie by the same guy, and he explains how to do everything in one video, PLUS the captions are in ENGLISH!!! (how to make the monofin "classic"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfBzm...72F84F0DFDFBCF

**ShyMer** · 05-22-2012, 08:56 AM

Nice find!

**gypsymer** · 05-22-2012, 09:40 AM

The English captions find isn't all that useful if you've already watched his other videos. The most useful thing you might get out of it is that he's using a diamond saw, but any friend who own powertools could probably identify the saw type. What we need is a source for the fiberglass and information on when he installs the footpockets, all the adhesives he uses. Capt. Nemo has some good ideas on what's used. Sources to buy from are really what we're in need of >_<

Not trying to sound sour or anything, the captioned video will be good for those just starting to think about creating a monofin.

**Odette** · 02-07-2013, 01:24 AM

awww, neat! i was thinking of doing this but in a different way. i think i like this method better

**Usagi** · 02-07-2013, 03:05 AM

Lexan: http://www.eplastics.com/Transparent...arbonate_Sheet

Fiberglass: http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Flat_Fiberglass_Sheet

note: I have no idea what the heck I'm looking for. lol

**Mermiah** · 03-14-2014, 12:19 PM

I made a foot pocket with duct tape lol it serves my purposes just fine but I guess it might sound a little unprofessional.
But if you make the ducttape thick and then give it a thin coat of caulk it will never unseal (according to my father at least) hope this helps

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