Where do I go from here?.

[Mermaid_Cordelia]

I am a beginner. I have two FinFun Atlantis tail skins, a FinFun AMP, and a Linden monofin. Where should I go from here and what next steps should I take to upgrade my collection without breaking the bank?

[Kelpie Thyra]

hydra/triton
(i've gotten mine from mermaid-kat)

[theMerFanc]

I am a beginner. I have two FinFun Atlantis tail skins, a FinFun AMP, and a Linden monofin. Where should I go from here and what next steps should I take to upgrade my collection without breaking the bank?

I think it really depends on what you like and what you want to do. A Mahina fin is usually a staple in most mer collections, although I don't have one and don't plan to get one. There are some merfolk out there who just love to collect tails and swim in as many as they can and others who like to save up for one or two really nice expensive tails. So it really is up to you what you want to do! Even if you decide a silicone isn't for you, saving up and supporting a fabric tailmaker and getting a custom personalized fabric tail is really great (and what I am int he process of doing right now!)

[RoseburgFlyer]

Hi! While it's great that you're hoping not to break the bank, I actually really like your question in particular because I perceived your post as you looking to upgrade and progress safely. So many new people to the hobby/passion will jump from monofin to silicone, fabric to silicone, or just straight to silicone, thinking that they'll be okay because of x, y, and z. Even if you're a varsity competitive swimmer, it's so much safer to go from point A to point Z after completing steps B through Y first!

Since you've had your try at basic commercial fabric tails, I would recommend a custom fabric tail (as mentioned above) to you next, or a professional-looking fabric tail. They are heavier in and out of the water, and the ones below in particular will help you build the strength you need (and establish the skill set) to swim in a hybrid or a full silicone. I would also recommend that you don't sell your current tails, because when you're ready for something more expensive, you can sell all your fabrics and monofins to help put a deposit down or pay a big chunk of a Mernation Genesis.

I hope this helps you, and welcome to the community!


https://www.themertailor.com/fantase...il-slings.html

The Mertailor Fantasea tails will help especially because of the monofin being silicone/full rubber; and based on your desires and comfort level, you can add fins (I recommend Fancy Fish Fashions on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FancyFishF..._shop_redirect, which can be sewn onto your fabric tail). Fabric fins will call for some drag in the water, but that will help you build your strength and skills for a hybrid or full silicone. You can also use the Fantasea monofin towards a hybrid tail (Whimsy), with this line: https://www.themertailor.com/whimsy-tails.html. Monofins for the Mertailor tails: https://www.themertailor.com/monofins.html.


If you want something more custom with the fins already attached (and you can also custom request a monofin/fluke shape), I recommend the etsy shop Aquariuz: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Aquariuz?ref=shop_sugg. The monofin is very different from any of the commercial monofins as well as the Mertailor's, but the customization for your fluke is beneficial and the fabric is thick. She does add glue to the tail to help protect against scuffing and tearing, and it also looks like silicone to the nearby eye.