Force Fin Designs

[Bob Evans]

At some point the BAF was done and ready for ocean dives. Created several different logo designs and made at least 4-5 different variations of blade designs. The first BAF was big and bulky looking. With some sanding the shape fell into place and looked balanced. Still have a few pairs hanging around in storage.

 

[tridacna]

I have new respect for my FFs. Great posts!

 

[Bob Evans]

Found the drawings for the BAF Design. At one point Blade Action Fins stood for interchangable fin blades. It was a challenge to work out the attatchment and learned about several problems with movements. One fin blade was made in a Tuna Tail. Every Force Fin sold today I personally made the molds, several hundred.

 

[Bob Evans]

Our Viet Nam Vet, Ken Stotler was one of our Force Fin Testers. BAF I LOVED ken on our boat Otra Vez , he would stay out for hours.But he is my Brother ...You would never understand how our Vet's are being treated #Sad..These pair's of BAF were clear and I had Handcast this pair..you know I have thousands of photos..it is America and who were are.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

I love the Chuck Taylors. They are my favorite dive boot.

Good taste never goes out of style.

 

[Bob Evans]

Jimmy Gray holding a longer BAF blade at our 28 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California. 1986. I will say... to shine like this,, took hours of wet/dry sand paper and a final hand waxing. Even today no one yet has captured on how we did what we did. Slowly with thousands of images we might spark more interest in this American Design Comapny. The Innovative Designs of Bob Evans, Erik Buell and Burt Rutan – Force Fin

 

[Bob Evans]

1971, Santa Barbara, California. My first Force Fin drawings, after first making a kicking sketch. Notice how the toes point downwards. Will open the door to why I developed the first open toe pocket ( patents have now lapsed ) It was really a eye opener at the time.

 

[Bob Evans]

Drawing the first Force Fin was just the beginning of a 30 plus years of Fin Designs. With chicken wire, Santa Barbara News Press and surf board resin I created a swimming model. Off to Henrys Beach in the winter for the ocean swimming test.!!!! The inside of the foot pocket was medieval and did a number on my cold feet. The blade was so stiff and to large to really do any kicking. But I could see right off the bat the curved back side worked well for the up stroke. It was the first lifting surface I developed.

 

[Bob Evans]

I started making these fiber glass fins next. So much for chicken wire.!!!! Using model clay I layup over the pattern and pulled off each half, then fiber glassed the two sections together. At the time I was attending Brooks Institute of Photography. My room mate Andy McMullen ( Later my Partner in La Mer Bleu Priductions) took this image of me with infrared 35mm film. This small blade worked much better. But one day I shared my fin designs with Dick Anderson...and...more to follow.

 

[Bob Evans]

One day my good friend and Mentor Dick Anderson showed up and looked at my fiber glass fins. At this point it was a NO NAME product, just a idea. Dick said " Hey Evans you need to get some Polyurethane from Hasting Plastics in Santa Monica, Calfornia to make your fins.!). Well guess what I did ? Got on the phone and order some of this stuff..So Dick Anderson is the guy who really opened the door to my creative ways. Thank you Dick Anderson.Dick Anderson, 73, Scuba Diver Who Was Part of a Record Feat, Is Dead