Introduction

Two full page advertisements for Fins Unlimited of California featuring designs by George Downing, Mike Hynson and Dick Brewer.
They have been extensively re-formatted from the originals.

These designs were or use in the adjustable fin box invented around 1970 by Bill (William) Bahne, the owner of Bahne Surfboards and the Fins Unlimited company.
The first advertisement from April-May 1974 featured the Dol-fin designed by Mike Hynson and the 8" Wide Base, designed by Dick Brewer.
Importantly, being moulded polycarbonate Lexan allowed the production of a thicker fin, wider than the gap in the fin-box, thought at the time to improve performance.
Hynson was one of the stars of Bruce Brown's Endless Summer, his design said to be a copy of an dolphin's dorsal fin - thanks to "Cindy" at Sea World.
The 8" Wide Base was designed by shaper Dick (Richard) Brewer, known for his Hawaiian big wave boards and his Pipeliner models for Bing Surfboards.
The 8" was an approximation of the fin's actual depth (7 5/8") although its wide base is only 5 7/8", almost one inch less than the Dol-fin's 6 3/4".
Brewer's Wide Base template proved to be very popular, championed by Geoff McCoy in Australia and adapted by Mark Richards for his twin-fin design.

The August-September advertisement reprised the Hynson and Brewer designs but led with The Trailing Edge by master Hawaiian surfer and shaper George Downing.

Also of interest:
The April-May edition led with No Pants Mance by Denny Aaberg, the inspiration for the John Milius' film Big Wednesday (1978).
Pages 52-55 featured photographs from George Greenough's upcoming short Echoes.

The August-September edition included the fictional How I Surfed and Won the 1984 Olympics as told by Drew Kampion.
Surfing would be eventually introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020-2021.

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Surfer Volume 15 Number 1, April-May 1974, page 4.

Fin Energy Unlimited More than ever before, surfers are looking to their fins for increased performance and variable tuning. Two new, thick foil fins to energize your surfing. Dol-fn* Developed by Mike Hynson from a panographic reduction of a dolphin's dorsal fin (thanks to "Cindy" at Sea World), incorporating all the plus factors of the accentuated foil. This esthetically pleasing fin is the result of Hynson's efforts to create a surfboard fin unit conducive to a more sensitive, natural style of surfing, stressing smooth rhythmic patterns. Specifications: Depth 6"    Thickness at tip 1/4" Base length 6 3/4"    Weight 12 oz   Thickness at base 1" *a molded Lexan product available in a range of transparent colours. Don't get stuck with one fin stuck in the same place!

8" wide base* Designed by Richard Brewer. A versatile and extremely stable fin with an accentuated foil creating less resistance and drag, along with increased pivotal characteristics, trim speed and holding power. Specifications: Depth 7 5/8"    Thickness at tip 15/16" Base length 5 7/8"    Weight 12 oz   Thickness at base 1" From the constantly evolving system .... Fins Unlimited For further information write: Fins Unlimited PO Box 375-F, Encinitas, Calf. 92024 (714) 753-8847

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Surfer Volume 15 Number 3, August-September 1974, page 4

The Trailing Edge* Specifications: Depth 9" Thickness at tip 1/4" Base length 6" Foil Thickness 3/4" Rake 2 3/4" Weight 12 oz. Designed by George Downing, this fin can be placed completely forward by virtue of its 9-inch depth, and will not spin out when moved back, it draws out your maneuvers and makes more precise wave positioning possible, yet doesn't track you out because of its high aspect ratio. The Downing rake will give you fluidity at any setting—making full use of your Variset channels full potential for fine tuning. 8" Wide Base* Specifications: Depth 7 5/8" Thickness at tip 1/4" Base length 5 7/8" Foil thickness 15/16" Rake 2 1/8" Weight 12 oz. The 8" Wide Base by Richard Brewer is a stable, all-around fin, foiled for less resistance and drag. A pivot fin with enough area to really turn off of, yet with holding power and full speed design characteristics. This fin will let you fly. Dol-fin* Specifications: Depth 6" Thickness at tip 1/4" Base length 6 3/4" Rake 1 1/2" Foil thickness 1" Weight 12 oz. Mike Hynson's interest in dolphin dorsal tins resulted in this pantographic reduction incorporating the many plus factors of the accentuated foil and the natural functional beauty of the fin itself. In short, Hynson has created a tool for a more sensitive, light and smooth style of surfing. For a more sensitive, controlled surfing experience, plug into our system. *a molded Lexan product available in a range of transparent colours. For further information write: Fins Unlimited PO Box 375-F, Encinitas, Calf. 92024 (714) 753-8847

Surfer Volume 15 Number 1, April-May 1974, page 4. Surfer Volume 15 Number 3, August-September 1974, page 4.

Fins Unlimited

Mike Hynson Dol-fin

8" wide base designed by Richard Dick Brewer. Lexan translucent purple polycarbonate The owner of this fin was baffled why it is embossed as 8", noting that the base is actually 5 7/8" as per the published specifications. The 8" refers to the (approximate) depth of  7 5/8". They also noted that the fin is heavy solid quality (with) very little or no flex, there is some wear to the tip, and the broken fin bolt tab has been replaced with a very crude aluminium plate, secured with an internal stud and filled with purple tinted epoxy resin.

Page 85

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