Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:35:42 +0000

A set of fins will not drastically change your surfing skill level, but the right set of fins on the right board will help you to surf waves to the best of your ability. The choices are almost endless and, like fin design itself, the best method is trial and error.

Our advice? Swap out your fins regularly and see how it works for you. If you want to try something completely different as an experiment in smaller surf try riding your thruster with just the side fins, or with just the centre fin – it’s not going to give you a edge at catching waves at the lineup, but it will give you an idea of just what a difference the three little bits of fibreglass on the back of the board can make.

• Sweep : The angle measured between the vertical line from the mid-point on the base and the line which connects the mid-point of the base to the highest point on thefin. (It’s how much the fin is curved backwards!) The more the sweep, the longer the turning arc … the less sweep, the more pivotal the board will respond.
• Depth: The distance the fin penetrates into the water. It affects the HOLD and CONTROL the fin has during turns. The shorter the depth, the more slide a board will have (turning ability) … the longer the depth, the more hold especially with center fins!
• Base: The length of the fin where it meets the board. Base primarily affects the amount of DRIVE a board has! The more base, the greater area the fin has to push against the water and get MORE DRIVE. A smaller base results in less drive but a shorter (and quicker) turning arc.

To understandmore about how fins work, you need some basic terminology. The diagram below illustrates the terms used to describe the difference from fin to fin and how these may affect your ride:

• FLEX: The amount a fin flexes from the straight position. Fins with little flex are more responsive and will have more speed and direct drive. Fins with flex are more forgiving and easier to use. Ideally a fin would have a stiffer base for drive and more flexible tip for release
• CANT :The angle of the fin leaning out from the bottom surface of the board.
• FOIL: The hydrodynamic section of the fin from front edge to trailing edge. The foil effects the lift and drag properties of the fin.
• TOE: The angle of the fins in relation to the stringer of the board.

For those of you interested in trying out the latest FCS technology available to surfers … Aloha Boardshop has an extra large fin selection, with over 200 fins readily available and in stock!

Future, FCS, True Ames, Red-X, Proteck, & Island Fin Design … from your short board fins to the classic long board fins… we’ve got ‘em all!

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This site is designed to inform Snead Island residents of the Snead Island Canal Dredge Project.

Facts:

• Snead Island Canals have not been dredged since their creation. (1950's).
• In a few areas, people are able to walk across their canals at low tide.
• To navigate around Snead Island canals you have to be aware of low spots, rocks and tides.
• There is not sail boat depth in any one canal on Snead Island.
• There is not one marker (green/red) in Terra Ceia Bay that leads to proper canals into Snead Island. (Champlain Bayou)

We have 182 residences that Manatee County has listed as water front property owners on Snead Island. This list is compiled from the County Appraisal Office. The website for the county appraisal office is http://www.manateepo.com/

The procedures for getting canal dredging assessment project initiated with the county are as follows:

1. A petition is submitted from at least 66 2/3 % of the benefiting property owners requesting that their canal be dredged. An application fee of $10.00 per parcel should also be paid at this time.

On 10/25/07 the Snead Island Dredge committee completed this task and turned in the last of the petitions to the county. This has taken over a year to complete. Many thanks to those who participated.

2. Upon completion and submittal of the petition, the petition is checked for validity and an estimate is obtained. We have no way of knowing what the cost to the property owners will be until we receive the estimates. Assessments are usually based on a cost per parcel.

County staff will evaluate:

• the information submitted with the petition to insure that the petition is valid
• the public benefit of the proposed project
• local conditions within the project area which affect the project site.

County staff will conduct a preliminary survey for purposes of cost estimation only.

3. Once the estimate is received, a first public information meeting is scheduled with the property owners. Staff will be present at the meeting to further explain the assessment process and to answer any questions that you may have regarding the Snead Island Dredge Project. The method of assessment and cost to the property owners will also be discussed at this time.

• The scope of the project
• The estimated cost
• Project design options (design options A - B - C, below)
• Project engineering/permitting options
• Potential funding sources including potential County financial participation
• The tentative project schedule
• The requirements of the proposed Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU)

4. After the public information meeting is held, county staff will prepare a supplemental public informational packet for distribution to each property owner and include a stamped, self-addressed postcard for return to the county for the purpose of:

• Registering who is in favor of or opposed to the dredging project
• Input regarding the design standards
• Requirements of MSBU
• Method of engineering and permitting

5. After the results of the postcard poll are obtained, a second public information meeting is scheduled with Snead Island property owners. Staff will be present at the meeting to discuss the results of the postcard poll and to answer any questions you may have regarding the dredge project. If 66 2/3 or more still support the dredge project the county staff will proceed to step six. Is support is between 50% and 66 23%, county staff will prepare a Board agenda item to advise the Board and determine if a public hearing will be conducted.

6. If a majority of the Snead Island property owners are still in favor of the dredge project after the meetings and the postcard ballot, a first public hearing is scheduled. Property owners are notified two weeks prior to this hearing of a not to exceed assessment.

• County staff will present the results from the postcard poll to the board
• Based on input from property owners at the public information meeting and the results of the postcard poll, county staff will make recommendations regarding funding, design standards, engineering/permitting methods, County financial participation, and any other required items required.
• The Board will either approve the project and establishment of the MSBU (Municipal Services Benifit Unit) with adoption of the preliminary special assessment roll, or deny the project, continue the public hearing, or defer the project.

7. At the first public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision. If the Board of County Commissioners approve the project, permits will be obtained, the project will be put out to bid, low bidder selected and the canal dredged.

• Engineering / Permitting may be completed by either the County or the Snead Island Property owners.

8. After the dredging is complete, a second public hearing will be held between June 1 and September 15, (of that finishing year). Property owners will be notified of their assessments. They will have 30 days to to pay the assessment without interest. If not paid in the 30 day period, the assessment will automatically be placed on the tax bill for 5 years at the current rate of interest. These assessments can be paid off at any time along with interest and they are now assumable by new buyers.

Wow! That is a lot of information! In fact the total project could take as much as 5 years to complete.

The most difficult part of this project is to get people to communicate. We all have to get involved, attend all the meetings, be informed and reply to mailers. Please use this site as a information tool. It is in your financial, family and community duty to do what is right for Snead Island. Let's make this a place where our children', children will love to live.

• Snead Island cContact information is as follows:
  
  Philip Yetzer
  Snead Island Dredge Committe Leader
  4397 Pompano Lane
  Palmetto, FL 34221
  941-721-4747
  
  Joe Fletcher
  4335 15th Way
  722-3173
  
  Gloria Peterson
  1716 Amberwynd Circle
  721-4823

I would like to personally thank Joe and Gloria for all their hard work!

• Contact information for Manatee County Personnel is as follows:

1022 26th Ave. East
Bradenton, FL 34208
941-708-7450
fax: 941-708-7549

Sherri Robinson
Assessment Coordinator
941-708-7450 ext 7334

sherri.robinson@mymanatee.org

Chuck Froman, P.E.
Project Manager
941-708-7450 ext 7333
chuck.froman@mymanatee.org

BruceSimington
Senior Project Manager