Flipper repair for an Idiot

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bgreen
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Flipper repair for an Idiot

#1

Unread post by bgreen »

Ok, I completely confess my stupidity.

I lost 1 fin - should have worn a keeper.

Back-up flipper was an older pair. Besides it being a half size too small it is perished and ready to break.

I reckon an old legrope ankle strap could be glued to the rubber. Any better suggestions. To make it even better I'm only a semi-remote Indonesian Island.

Bob
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OG-AZN
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Re: Flipper repair for an Idiot

#2

Unread post by OG-AZN »

Duct tape is your friend.Hopefully you have fin socks or just regular socks to wear since you'll have to build up the tape around the whole strap and it will rub against your ankle. Is there a tire or bike repair shop/equipment nearby? Those vulcanizing compounds they use to glue patches on inner tubes might work on your fins. Use an old inner tube or old leash strap like you said as a reinforcing patch. Contact cement or wesuit repair cement might also work as glue. I'd try to get a inner tube piece that you can fit & glue securely around the entire strap.
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Re: Flipper repair for an Idiot

#3

Unread post by rodndtube »

Most fins have a hard rigid area somewhere beginning near the entry point of your foot. Drill a hole there (or poke a hole) and run it to yoru ankle strag. Even without a rigid surface, more than likely there will be sufficient strong rubber to poke the hole.

Now... if you left open your SPF bottle open and it all leaked out, simply shimmy up a coconut tree, select a not yet mature coconut (one good for drinking, not eating the meat), crack it open and rub coconut milk oil all over your body's needy places.
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bgreen
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Re: Flipper repair for an Idiot

#4

Unread post by bgreen »

Thanks Rod & Trevor,

The local shop had sold out of contact cement. Didn't try the duct tape as I was going to use this as a back up to the contact job. I'd tried ding tape but this peeled.

I managed to find another fin - different shape/style but it got me out there.

Just shows broken flippers could ruin a surf trip.

Great waves today - the plus side to it all.

Bob
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