Fin Recommendations for a Newly Certified Open Water Diver with "Trim Issues"

[diver230]

1. S-Tek Fin

2. Supernova Fin

3. GO Sport Gorilla Fin

4. GO Sport Fin

In this specific order.

I will look at these other SP fins as well. It would definitely be easier for my to properly fit a fin if I stay with Scubapro which is what my local dive job carries. Any other brand will require a significant drive.

 

[BoltSnap]

I picked up a Scubapro Hydrox X used but freshly serviced. Weights are in the removable weight pockets.

Excellent BC. Two or three of my friends/former students bought it, and they are very happy with it. One of them is a very active diver and does at least 100 dives with it every year and looks like new still.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Get a pair of Mares Avanti Quattro fins, arguably the best paddle fin made. They have been around for years with no gimmicks or gadgets, just a straight forward good fin. I have been diving mine up here at home and down south warm water diving for about 20 years.

https://www.mares.com/en_CA/avanti-quattro-18?color=5828

 

[diver230]

I will check those fins as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Stoo]

It's not the fins. Get someone to help you tweak your gear... And have a serious review of your lead. Almost everyone dives with two much.

 

[34109411]

I have realized in hindsight that my 5 mm boots are overkill. They are comfortable but clearly contributing to my sensation of my feet being to buoyant. I will check out the Go Sport fins. I do like that they would be more travel friendly.

most likely you get air pocket in your ankle cause that 5 mm create a good seal around it. Like other suggested get 3 mm short boot. I personally use a 7 mm wetsuit and 6.5 mm boot this is the joy of cold water diving, i experience also what you describe but now it s minimalist, your need to fine tune your gear to find the solution.

i do have the rk3 HD and really like them.

(don't go overweight the answer is not there or please no ankle weights)

be safe

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

This is helpful and seems like a valid point to explore further. I will be diving in Bonaire late April. I may look into a fin rental for that trip. I have tried the frog kick but so far the flutter kick feels more natural.

Bonaire - that complicates the boot question somewhat. Doing shore dives over hard, uneven rocky "beaches", hard or semi-hard soled boot are advised. 7:35 seconds in...

Is what I found a few years back and worked well for me.

I think the current version is:

Tusa 3mm HS Low Boots

Hello ocean lovers! Meet your new best friend for tropical adventures - the TUSA Hard Sole 3mm Slipper. Whether you're chasing waves or exploring underwater wonders, these stylish slippers are your...

www.scuba.com

 

[diver230]

After pondering this a bit I think one step will need to be shorter / thinner dive Boots. I think that maybe needs to be my next step. Now focusing on a 3mm short boot before a fin selection. I do want a somewhat thicker sole to help manage shore diving where the rocks are sharp.

 

[34109411]

As an introduction, I am a 70 year old male and a newly certified SDI Open Water / Nitrox diver. I have been lurking here a bunch and already learned a lot.

I am now looking for a fin and would appreciate the group thoughts on what might best meet my needs. I anticipate that my dives will be limited to warmer water only during dive trips. I wear a 3/2 mm wetsuit and a size 13 / 5 mm high top Aqua-Lung Super Zip boot. I find that even in freshwater that I am feeling too much foot float that is messing up my trim. I borrowed a pair of M/L Cressi Frog Plus fins and that was when I had the most difficulty with my trim. I then purchased a set of used Atomic Split Fins off Ebay. I found the Atomic fins to be heavier and that did help a lot but unfortunately the size Large was too small. I had tried on a new pair of Large Atomic fins with my dive boots which seemed great but the used pair seem to be a much tighter fit.

In searching for my next set of fins I would prefer something that has a negative or at least a neutral buoyancy. I have been interested in:

• ScubaPro Twin Jet Max - ScubaPro has these listed as having negative buoyancy but in talking with other divers they seem to be neutral.
• Apeks RK3 HD - Slightly negative
• Deep 6 - Uncertain of their buoyancy but reviews that I have read are positive.

The ScubaPro fins seem to be quite polarizing in the group. My hesitation with the RK3 HD and Deep 6 fins is that I have not been able to be properly fit and perhaps that they will be too hard on my aging body.

Please feel free to offer you advice or to point me toward other boots that might help.

 

[34109411]