C3 fins have finally got their new range out,seems like it's taken forever,looking forward to trying out one of the venom fins![]()
http://www.c3-fins.com/C3_web/products.html
Does anyone know where the C3s are CNC milled.
Is it the same factory that grinds out the Starboard, JP, Choco etc fins???
Very keen to learn!
I see Ian Fox is the production manager.
I'd wager London to a brick you have it in one Peter. Can't think of any other reason for Ian to be involved when Boogie did all the design work and is used to working as a sole trader. Me thinks he needed someone familiar with Cobra to keep an eye on quality control. I wonder if Ian will be handing back to AMac the Lockwood/MacDougal speed fins he's been using at SP. I see the new Strike Asyms have a very similar outline to Chris' foils.
Ian and Boogie have had a working relationship for years.
I very much doubt Boogie needs to look to other fin designers for any kind of inspiration.
Yoyo "I see the new Strike Asyms have a very similar outline to Chris' foils."
CT "I very much doubt Boogie needs to look to other fin designers for any kind of inspiration"
It was an observation not an accusation. While they work independantly they use the same programs for the same goals. The laws of physics are the same for all. CT if you look at Boogies "speedsailingdesign" site you will see he has , like most of us , got his inspiration from all kinds of sources. Some you agree with, some you don't.
I don't think any designer will not take note other similar ideas that work. Even if just to confirm they are on the right path.
I had a look at Boogies new site. Good to see he's finally making progress. Lets hope the quality of the factory he's using is consistent (assuming its Cobra with Ian's SB connections- they make a lot of fins these days). Heres a pic of the first slalom design I did for KA a few years ago. This one is 26cm.
I have no doubt Boogie was targeting a similar set of design criteria as opposed to copying something. I guess at some stage ideas converge.
My new designs dont look like that any more
This 26 is by no means bad though- it was working great on the river today in nasty WSW chop with a bagged 6.6m.
Should be some new KA slalom fins coming online really soon. Stay tuned [}:)]
i just ordered a couple of slalom fins from C3 to replace some 10yr old Techtonics.
I'm purely looking at them for Slalom racing.
I must admit that I'm purely buying them on the back of Boogies reputation and my previous experience of dealing with him on Formula Fins.
hi guys,
just a few comments...
i don't know why some people are so interested to find out where the fins are made.
having just gone through the process of trying to get high quality production fins manufactured, i can tell you that a very large part of the quality of the final product depends on the quality requirements you as a brand or customer to the factory specify and are willing to pay for.
most large factories have several levels or grades of quality in material and workmanship.
it is also the responsibility of the brand to check and control if those specifications have been met. if they are not, i don't have a problem in rejecting product.
Ian is an essential link in the process of communicating with that big factory.
i don't think we would have been able to pull it off without him.
as a comment for the suggestion that the Strike is a copy of the KA speed fin...
you might want to have a look at the picture below. the mold for the X2 fin was machined in 2003.... and martin van meurs was the first rider to peak GPs measured above 50kn with a X2-21.
the Strike asy fin is a completely new design though.
i don't condone copying but unfortunately it is a fact of life. you could say, a copy only verifies the validity of the original.
those who bluntly copy gain nothing in terms of knowledge or experience in design or innovation, so the innovator always has the advantage of having done the development and learned from it.
there are some very obvious copy cats out there, sometimes even right down to the name of the original design..., but i certainly don't consider chris to be one of those and i don't see anything wrong with learning from other designers ideas. as chris said above there is only so much you can do in regards to fin outlines if you try to achieve a certain design aspect.
if any of you have specific C3 questions, please feel free to visit us at http://www.c3-fins.com/C3_web/forum.html
cheers
boogie
G'day Boogie
Your comments that suggest you are buying high levels of materials and workmanship quality [from Cobra?] are welcomed.
I asked the questions after examining some other products from that manufacturer and making comparisons against other brands such as tectonics!
Look forward to seeing some C3s here in WA.
All the best with the venture.
Cheers
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