MillersLocal
  • Home
  • Latest Shots
  • Blog
  • Comp news
  • Surf Report
  • SurfGuide
  • PHOTOS
  • Vintage
  • Enviro
  • Shop

Blog

Fins like a golf ball?

6/6/2013

 
Picture
OK, it was always gonna happen. Kelly digs golf, so someone put two and two together and got what might be a five. Surfboard fins that are like golf balls. Yah, seri-ass. Stuck some dimple action onto the fin surface and boom, the world's (supposedly) fastest fin is born. 

Bunch of ou's in West Oz came up with the concept and launched 3D Fins. ASP surfer Josh Kerr rides for them, so must be doing something right!

Their fins have Dimple Technology, as in dimples like a golf ball. It's meant to creates incredible drive, quick release through turns and sky burning potential. 

Computer flow Dynamic tests have proven the dimples increase Lift/Drive significantly, giving the surfer the opportunity to gain more speed and with more speed comes the opportunity for more advanced maneouvres.
Picture
OK, so why dimples??

As we all now know, a Golf ball with Dimples will fly further than a Golf ball without. That's why golf balls have dimples. Not just cos they look cool.

Dimples surfaces do 2 things - they reduce drag, and improve lift.

First a quick lesson in Hydrodynamics (Aerodynamics). There are two types of flow around an object: laminar and turbulent. Laminar flow has less drag, but it is also prone to a phenomenon called "separation." Once separation of a laminar boundary layer occurs, drag rises dramatically because of eddies that form in the gap. Turbulent flow has more drag initially but also better adhesion, and therefore is less prone to separation. Therefore, If the shape of an object is such that separation occurs easily, it is better to turbulate the boundary layer in order to increase adhesion and reduce eddies (which means a significant reduction in drag).

Dimples on golf balls turbulate the boundary layer. So 3DFINScience decided to test these principles and apply them to a Surfboard fin. With advanced Computer Flow Dynamic testing 3DFINScience compared two exactly the same fins, the Moonrakerr Dimpled fin and the same fin design without Dimples.

The tests were conducted by flow dynamics expert and the results were surprising. A Surfboard Fin with a smooth surface is much like a golf ball with a smooth surface, it has a Laminar flow over the surface. This works quiet well when going straight and at lower speeds, but when you start to turn and reach higher speeds the fluid starts to separate from the foil or fins surface.
Picture
A surfboard fin with dimples creates a turbulent flow. Turbulent flow has more adhesion so when you start to turn, the dimpled fin surface delays the flow separation, reducing cavitations (the separation bubble) allowing the foil to maintain performance. When the surfer is turning at high speeds, the turbulent boundary layer helps the flow overcome an adverse pressure gradient and allows the fin to remain attached to the surface longer than it would otherwise. This reduces drag, increases lift and improves overall performance of the fin design.
Picture
Do they work? Who knows? But they sure look damn cool! Wanna grab a set? Easy - just hook past Surf Centre at the beachfront as their new stock of 3D Fins will be landing on Monday June 10th.
Picture
READER REVIEWS

20 August 2013 - Dane Cox

I paddled out at Main Rights, there was a bit of chop yet they seemed to hold in the conditions and allowed me to put weight behind them even on the bigger ones. Later, I surfed Pipe, and found I could do a roundhouse cutback on almost any wave without having to wait in the foam to ride the turn out. If you can imagine a board that is sharp with its turning, quick off the bottom and quick off the top, Once you point your board, it goes without hesitation. It makes your board feel lighter, more maneuverable and responsive.

The best thing to do is to try them for yourself. It could be that the dimensions of my board and the fins are a good combination, but I just feel that I had one of my best surfs when using them. Good waves or bad, give them a try!

Comments are closed.
    Picture
    LATEST POSTS
    More posts HERE

    Author

    Millerslocal

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Latest Shots
  • Blog
  • Comp news
  • Surf Report
  • SurfGuide
  • PHOTOS
  • Vintage
  • Enviro
  • Shop