First Fins for Bahama Liveaboard

[delacrue96]

Highly recommend the Mares Avanti Quattro Plus! My husband, 2 boys & I all have them. If you look around on SB, many instructors & DMs use them. Happy diving!

 

[bvbellomo]

I also want to add that while I am overwhelmed by the number of choices for BCDs, masks, dive computers, etc - many of the choices are fundamentally similar.

For example, I don't understand the reason for the proliferation of models of dive computers, especially similar models at a similar price from the same company. But understanding that the fundamental differences are which algorithm I want, wrist vs console and air integration or not - and it is easy to make a choice. And it is easy to understand why the other choices exist.

For fins, I can't do this. I don't understand why or how they are different, and most of choices (stuff vs flexible, split vs not) seem one choice would always be superior to the other. And I can't even try all the different combinations, if I don't like one model of split fin, I might really like another.

 

[saxman242]

Well, to give a small amount of insight, I use the deep 6 Eddy find. My wife uses atomic split fins. I like the control and maneuverability that the eddy fins offer. They're fairly neutraly buoyant, which for my trim needs works well. They're very efficient with a frog kick, work well for other technical kicks, etc.

My wife doesn't dive much, will never do anything other than flutter kicks, and had bad knees. For her, the lower impact of a split fin works well and the downsides when it comes to non-flutter kicks are irrelevant.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

I am an inexperienced diver, just booked a live aboard in the Bahamas in October and was strongly recommended to buy my own gear. I never gave much thought to fins before, as I've never been given a choice of fins and always been able to swim fast enough without effort with any fins.

The trip is through a local dive store, which strongly recommends open heel fins. I don't know if that is based on this trip, other trips, or them trying to sell me something more expensive. Weight and space are at a premium on the boat and airplane.

I don't think this trip requires any fast swimming, I was specifically told it won't matter what shape I am in and dives are very easy. But being the new and inexperienced guy, I'd hate to be the straggler in the group, and worry about getting separated or lost and having to swim back.

I have very strong legs, routinely squat and deadlift 300+lbs, run 5-10 miles, and am a martial artist. I am tempted to get something large like jet fins, just to see how fast I can go, even if I don't use that speed on this trip - but need to balance that against lightweight and size.

Perhaps you should consider a pair of long fins. We offer several models of "freediver" type long fins with full footpockets. It is quite likely that the guides/crew on your boat will be wearing this type of fin. They are very efficient and comfortable.

http://www.makospearguns.com/Fins-s/68.htm

 

[tridacna]

Ask Scubaboard and this ^^^ is what you get. LOL. Eventually you’ll be told to get a Deep6 regulator and Teric computer. Buy them now before the onslaught.

 

[Ana]

I love the long fins but they are a pain when traveling.
As a teenager I started with full foot, then it came about that "real" divers use open heel but after going over many open heel fins (6 pairs almost new stored in boxes) I went back to the full foot, which my husband and I use now and are just now in the boat for our pm dive today. For air travel the fff Quattro from mares are a good compromise.
Open heel fins for us now are just to show off when having a drink after diving.

On the subject of what is best... I remember a lifetime ago when "real" divers wouldn't wear a wetsuit with zipper I'm the back because that was for those surfers.... Go figure.

 

[purbeast]

As a new diver who is bigger and stronger than most people I just wanted to give the OP a little bit of advice.

Lifting heavy weight and being able to swim fast means absolutely nothing in SCUBA. It will mean however that if you want to try and swim fast you are going to be the first one to the surface because you are going to be consuming more air than everyone else. There's absolutely no reason to swim fast in SCUBA anyways. Who are you trying to race or impress? The faster you move too, the more sea life you will scare away as well.

What you should be more concerned about is fit of fin and efficiency so that you can still move at a nice pace with minimal effort. A lot of the price differences also have to do with different 'features' of fins that are nice to haves but not necessary. It's up to you if you care about them or not though. Different fins also have different buoyancy and it's up to you if that matters and what ones you want.

 

[bvbellomo]

As a new diver who is bigger and stronger than most people I just wanted to give the OP a little bit of advice.

Lifting heavy weight and being able to swim fast means absolutely nothing in SCUBA. It will mean however that if you want to try and swim fast you are going to be the first one to the surface because you are going to be consuming more air than everyone else. There's absolutely no reason to swim fast in SCUBA anyways. Who are you trying to race or impress? The faster you move too, the more sea life you will scare away as well.

What you should be more concerned about is fit of fin and efficiency so that you can still move at a nice pace with minimal effort. A lot of the price differences also have to do with different 'features' of fins that are nice to haves but not necessary. It's up to you if you care about them or not though. Different fins also have different buoyancy and it's up to you if that matters and what ones you want.

I assumed that while it is hard going fast with 'slow' fins, it is easy to go slow with 'fast' fins, and the fastest fins would also be the most efficient. Is this not the case? I agree speed rarely matters, just don't want to be the guy slowing down the group.

Comments about strength and endurance are because of the reviews I've read on sites like Leisure Pro. Lots of negative reviews talk about how a pair of fins are super fast and efficient, but cramp calves or make ankles sore. Some positive reviews say the fins aren't fast or efficient, but are well liked because they are easy on the legs. This also seems like a design trade off - a larger surface should be faster and more efficient, but need more strength.

Fit is important, I haven't talked about fit because:
1) I am not asking advice on whether to buy equipment that fits or equipment that doesn't. I already know that.
2) I don't expect meaningful advice over the Internet on which equipment fits.

 

[johndiver999]

As a new diver who is bigger and stronger than most people I just wanted to give the OP a little bit of advice.

Lifting heavy weight and being able to swim fast means absolutely nothing in SCUBA. It will mean however that if you want to try and swim fast you are going to be the first one to the surface because you are going to be consuming more air than everyone else. There's absolutely no reason to swim fast in SCUBA anyways. Who are you trying to race or impress? The faster you move too, the more sea life you will scare away as well.

What you should be more concerned about is fit of fin and efficiency so that you can still move at a nice pace with minimal effort. A lot of the price differences also have to do with different 'features' of fins that are nice to haves but not necessary. It's up to you if you care about them or not though. Different fins also have different buoyancy and it's up to you if that matters and what ones you want.

I sometimes have to laugh when people make absolute statements about scuba diving. There are MANY situations where a diver may find it EXTREMELY beneficial to be able to swim hard and power through a situation. If the diver is not wearing efficient and powerful fins, they may fail in their attempt.

For example, fighting a current to get back to a buddy or a dropped item, getting through rough water or fighting your way back to the boat when you accidentally got too far downstream, what if you have to tow an incapacitated diver with a medical emergency back to safety, what if a whale shark or Manta goes by and you need another picture? Wearing crappy, inefficient fins is frustrating and can really limit a diver's options.

Of course, swimming hard for any duration is going to consume a lot of air, but it might be necessary to cover some ground in the fastest and more efficient manner.

Something that I don't think has been mentioned, is the absolute necessity to have comfortable fins on a liveaboard. You can get by with uncomfortable fins that rub you the wrong way if you do a dive or two on sunday and not wear them again for a week. But if you are diving 3-4-5 times per day, plus possibly snorkeling, any chaffing or problems will become huge issues in 3-4 consecutive days of diving. Sorta like wearing a new pair of work boots to cut the grass versus trying to use new boots for a 5 day backpacking trip- big difference.

My preference is for full foot freedive type fins and using a 2-3 mm neoprene sock for comfort and efficiency. They fit fine in a long gear bag.

 

[BoltSnap]

2) I don't expect meaningful advice over the Internet on which equipment fits.

What are you here for exactly? What is your point of starting this thread in addition to arguing and talking with yourself?