Fixing tear in full foot fin???

[trigfunctions]

Hi all - I have a pair of full foot Tusa split fins that i really like:
Tusa Full Foot Split Zoom Fins, Fins, Tusa, Tusa Full Foot Split Zoom Fins

One of the fins has developed a small vertical tear, about 3/4-inch, on the side of the foot pocket perpendicular from the top edge.

I tried using Aquaseal to glue a small strap across the tear, but the Aquaseal peals off of the rubber foot pocket.

Does anyone have any other ideas for how to fix this tear? Thanks, trig

[scubarobin]

Originally Posted by trigfunctions

Hi all - I have a pair of full foot Tusa split fins that i really like:
Tusa Full Foot Split Zoom Fins, Fins, Tusa, Tusa Full Foot Split Zoom Fins

One of the fins has developed a small vertical tear, about 3/4-inch, on the side of the foot pocket perpendicular from the top edge.

I tried using Aquaseal to glue a small strap across the tear, but the Aquaseal peals off of the rubber foot pocket.

Does anyone have any other ideas for how to fix this tear? Thanks, trig

Are you using those fins to snorkel or dive? They look like snorkeling fins to me. Snorkeling fins are not made from the same grade of products as diving fins so they are very suseptable to rips and tears. If you are using these for diving I would suggest you upgrade to higher quality dive fins.

[trigfunctions]

I have been using them regularly for both diving and snorkeling for a couple of years, and they work great for both. They were very highly rated in the magazines. They are full foot versions of the open heel Tusa split fins, so the quality is very good. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of these fins, but I would like to repair this small tear before it gets bigger and the fin is no longer usable.

[Black-Gorrilla]

Epoxy a strap over the tear?

[freeski4ever]

Have you tried Bondo? I mean, if Bondo can hold a car's chassis together, it should be able to fix a tear in a fin. Right?? Maybe??

[namabiru]

This will sound strange, but what about super glue?

[drako]

Originally Posted by freeski4ever

Have you tried Bondo? I mean, if Bondo can hold a car's chassis together, it should be able to fix a tear in a fin. Right?? Maybe??

Yeah but a cars chassis does not flex as the fin would.does not mean it wont work, epoxy on both sides might work

[freeski4ever]

seriously tho, i was kidding about bondo. i'm not sure how it will work with rubber. it might eat it alive and ruin the whole foot pocket.

[DougNR]

I honestly don't think you'll be able to make a repair you'll find acceptable. In all likelyhood the tear is due to repeated flex stress which means any repair material will actually be under more strain since you will have reduced flexibility by the repair itself.

I'm with you on repairing and keeping trusted gear, but this may not be one of those times.

Good luck!

Doug

[sravin1]

how about stitching across the tear with a strong thread. then on top of it a layer of neoprene glued on both sides of the tear with aqua seal.