Progress

We have had a really challenging few months with the fin in terms of production.  We cannot seem to get the correct material and machine work done to produce our fin to get to market.
We now have a plan of producing our fins 'Cottage Manufacturing) using a CNC machine. Different types of materials will be used and tested.

If anyone out there would like to help with our fin production let us know. We would like to call out to any artisan of machining in the Ventura County area or heck!....anywhere that we can get our fins done right and for a fair price.....let us know. We are all about collaborating.
Look...we know this fin will sell for it's ability, performance....but mostly because it just looks damn cool. It is a cool looking fin.
So we have faith in our design. We just need help getting it to the next level...PRODUCTION....MARKET....BUSINESS!!
Let us know if you would like to help out some way.

The Team at SkegLineFins. 

SkegLineFins has had problems with 3D printers as well as molds with various material that just has not worked.  Fins break or printing manufactures need design formats that are not easily understandable.  So what we did recently was hired a Woodworking Professional.  He took our fin design and created some solid wood fins.......that WORKED!  Thank you AL.  His name is Al. Xavier tried the fins at C-Street in Ventura and had a couple of good successful rides without the fins breaking.  Video footage: 'SkegLineFins Testing at C Street Ventura'.
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So now, we will have our other Team Riders test these fins...THEN, we will move forward with some kind of manufacturing.

Our prototype fins broke during testing. The Team Riders' session was short-lived,  however, we received meaningful feedback from our two newest members, Calvin and Conner.  We were testing at Emma Wood State Beach in Ventura CA.  Based on the feedback, our prototyper is making adjustments to the fins, both in design and strength.  Conner felt there was positive affects to his few rides before the fins broke. Both of the Team Riders are eager to get back into the water for continued testing. Please view the video footage on our youtube channel: SkegLineFins.

X, Steve and Jules arrived 7am at Surfers Point. Waves conditions were mushy and slow but Jules was able to catch a couple of waves to notice maneuverability. We will return on better conditions for more testing. The solid fins held better by far than our original 3D printed fins. Jason at Rohr 3D-Solutions did a great job. 

We met with our Patent Attorney Sandy Lipkin of Ventura CA,  for the next direction on our surfboard fin.  sandylipkin.com

We discussed various patents and legal terminology that, in turn, will help us secure our fin in regards to design and property, so we can focus on marketing.

We are happy with the direction Sandy is providing us.

The 3D printed fins kept breaking on us stalling the test phase. X and Steve tried their hand at 3D printing plugs to make molds to cast the solid urethane fin. After the first 3 hours, we decided to hire a pro. Jason of Rohr 3D Solutions out of Camarillo CA will get us back on the water in a week and a half after today's post. Skegline is pleased to announce a new Team Member, Jason.  He's an Engineer and Autocad Designer, specializing in prototype fabrication and low volume production. rohr3dsolutions.com. We saw our first sample of the 4" shortboard fin that he 3D printed and it looks fantastic.

X & Steve are working with Leif of Naked Viking Surf (SurfNVS.com) to design Autocad drawings of industry standard measurements for all 3 different base types (Futures, FCS and Bahn). SkegLineFins will merge their fin design with the base drawings and prepare the file for printing on their newly purchased Prosumer-Grade 3D printer designed to print Polycarbonate filament. This will ensure uniform fit in various surfboard base boxes and to withstand the stresses during testing using Polycarbonate material.

Xavier and Steve are working with AutoCAD designers to assist in preparing an AutoCAD file of the 3 standard base types that have industry standard measurements (Futures, Bahn and FCS). They are scheduling appointments to tour local manufactures in Ventura for a small batch of fins for pre-marketing / testing.

Easter day, Steve & Jules arrived at Surfers Point to commence testing. The short board fin base snapped during installation. The PLA 3D filament material was brittle. Steve sold the hobby printer and waiting arrival for the prosumer level 3D printer that can print polycarbonate as the optimum choice for functional prototypes.

The Point, Ventura.  Xavier had a really good long run to feel the fin really working with him during turns and cut-backs.

Sea Wall, Ventura CA.  Nice sunny day and not many people out.  Xavier tested and Steven stopped by to video record while on the way to his office.  Xavier had a couple of good rides to feel the impact of the turns and stability of the recoveries. 

Jules tested this day at Beach Breaks, Ventura CA.  Wave conditions were bad and the fins, being small and thin, and printed on PLA, broke and snapped. Steve is now experimenting with stronger filament material.

Tested at The Point.  Better wave conditions. Mid morning. Xavier had much more shoulder to work turns and bottom turns.  Well worth it.

Tested at The Point.  Better wave conditions...mid morning.  Sunny...and kinda crowded.  Fin worked great on bottom turns and felt the momentum on the cut backs.

Xavier caught a couple of fast breaking waves that didn't leave room for much maneuvering...but, felt stability during recovering from slight turns.

Testing was done at The Point, Ventura CA.  A few good waves and noticeable difference on turns. Broke fin on rocks!!

Today was our first day out on the water with our prototype fin 3D printed using PLA material. Xavier used the 8" Singlefin on a 9'2" longboard.  He liked the mobility...but it was a short test run due to crappy wave conditions.