The boys over at Makani Fins have just dropped a new wave fin called the HB Concept. Base on the humpback whales pectoral fins and some science type stuff they have come up with something that is far different from anything we have seen on the market yet. With claims of upwind performance gains in speed and angle of attack plus better turning, Grip and spin out reduction they sound like a winner. They do look way different, Almost menacing but I've enjoyed their fins in my boards for sometime now and and willing to give them a try. I've got fins on the way (single/Thruster/Quad) so I'll do a review when I get them and let you all know how the HB Concepts really perform.

Here's some pics of the HB Concept.

wow that is amazing i didn't know that whales could radically go upwind and at speed then still recover after a reduced spinout....turn at an angle. Crazy stuff

I love it! they look like the greatest thing since sliced bread... or is their purpose to slice bread!? can't wait for the review Jase.
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vpar said...
wow that is amazing i didn't know that whales could radically go upwind and at speed then still recover after a reduced spinout....turn at an angle. Crazy stuff

You obviously didn't read the science type stuff.

Nothing new there! Olivier Ponrouchis of MXR
http://www.telstarsurf.com/cm-sub/176/187/cf94?width=772

I built one of these in 2008, in an attempt to put to rest a fin debate that was going on at the time (my hypothesis was that you can get anything to work and that fins are just a placebo)

Not really any worse than a normal fin, no good if there's any weed, so swap them out when you take them out on the lake!

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/my-freestyle-movie-from-dahab/

Barney ahead of his time again! This is from 6 years ago. Great to see a progressive and innovative company like Makani running with his concept
and because its from Makani it will be affordable,half the price of the other brands.


EDIT- you beat me by 11 minutes,thats how long it took me to find the photo

^Just google Freestyle humpback whale fin technology!

Here's a good one..

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2695597/Worlds-expensive-surfboard-worth-1-3m-timber-gold.html

1.3 million dollar surfboard with humpback whale fin technology...

best of luck..
remember the kangaroo cock fin of Bombora boards..
and these ones..
Dont put too much money into it mate.

Frank Fish Ph.D ???
They serious???

My masts are tested by consultation with the Italian bloke - Spiro Wound Filament, sails developed with reference to M.Y Lar and K. Evlar

Best thing to happen to booms was the innovation by the Frenchman, Mon O Coque C'arbon..

BTW, so far I've heard really good comment of two customers who got those fin right now. If a big fat thing like a whale can jump with...well it could certainly help me with my windsurfing. ;-)

However, first time I saw that I was sceptic...I was also sceptic that a new fin company can survive in this industry and even more when they told me they will do weed fins that really work.

After I bough my first Nai'a...I was blown away, so I will give them a chance on that again.

Here's some science for you...
asknature.org/strategy/flippers-provide-lift-reduce-drag/

ok, it works for humpback whales. I wonder why the other whale didn't follow like killer, blue and even dolphins. Also the humpback is a pretty f****n' big swimmer and uses the flippers for lift and swimming in tight circles to catch crill because when you're that big you need all the help you can get. So it would make sense the these fins would be more suited to slalom and race boards and perhaps freeride for those who carry a little extra ballast

AMAC messed around with it on Moth foils a while ago. From memory when I was chatting to him the conclusion was it only works at low speeds.

^^^ much like a humpback whale.

This would be a bitch to get weed off

So when someone says "you sail like a Humpback whale", it should be taken as a compliment?

Barn's Speed Barnacles.. Just go down to your local rock pool, detach a few of these and glue them on your board.

^^ please no more pics of the infection you picked up last weekend

Over a year ago. 40cm that was a 48/50cm equivalent. Trade off is worse weed performance than a standard slalom or freeride fin.

Was reading a copy of Freesail from Spring 1994 the other day in Windforce, had this little cartoon within an article called 'Don't Believe The Hype'..

^^^ none of them slotted, must cavitate like blazes

Time to update your library barn

Hi Guys,
Cant get involved too much here as it is not a commercial forum and I respect that .. Just to say that the idea here is not to be the first one to release the concept but we think we are the first to make it for wave sailing since we have a different understanding of it and also a different way of making the fins.
We still have to deal with foils, materials, flex just like regular fins. By adding the HB concept we think we are changing the fin a lot and the feedbacks we get so far corresponds to the expectations. We are now adding twins, tri and quads and I will let JASON HALE test them among others and chat about it on the forum ..

Innovation is fun !
Cheers
JR

Just got feedback from Sailboards Tarifa (sergio in spain)

Its really funny the total control you get with fin,stable,and no spin out,total control.It flows through the chopp like butter

makanifins said..
I will let JASON HALE test them among others and chat about it on the forum ..

Innovation is fun !
Cheers
JR




you after any more testers then?

Hum .. seeing your profile pic not sure you can test

We're good for now ! The fin is ripping waves in many places now

Put some video on here of Jason testing the fins. It would be great to see how they go

He can use the homing drone.

I heard the fins work best with the Pazer bottom that simulates cellulite on the whale..

That dude look reeeeeaaaal serious about those phazers.