Abstract: A surfboard fin intermediate ha a rigid body element with flexible material (e.g. rubber) covering the leading and trailing edges, with a protective material--such as aluminum foil tape--readily removably secured to the flexible material on a small part of the body element to substantially completely cover the flexible material to protect it during manufacture of a surfboard with the fin attached, such as during sanding. The fin with protective material is placed so that the base engages the bottom of a surfboard, resin impregnated fiberglass rope or roving is applied to the base of the fin and the surfboard bottom spaced from the flexible material, and then resin impregnated fiberglass cloth is applied to the fin and bottom surface of the surfboard. After the resin dries, most of the fiberglass cloth exterior of the fin is cut away with a blade, and then any unwanted portions of the fiberglass cloth associated with the fin are sanded away. Then the protective material is removed from the fin, e.g.

Abstract: A surfboard has one or more (e.g. three) fins extending from its bottom surface. Each fin is a rigid plastic body element (e.g. Shore D hardness of at least about 78) with curved leading and trailing edges, a base, and side walls. The edges intersect in a rounded tip, and the leading edge curves back toward the rear of the surfboard. The leading and trailing edges, but not the sides, of the fin rigid bodies are covered with a soft flexible material (e.g Shore A hardness of about 40-100), such as rubber, urethane, or silicone. The flexible elastomeric material has sufficient thickness, softness, and flexibility to protect a surfer impacted by a leading or trailing edge of the fin, and to act as a rudder (provide anti-cavitation action) to provide some board steerability by the surfer shifting his or her weight.

Abstract: A protective tip cover for the sharply angled nose portion of a surfboard for reducing or preventing injury to the user upon impact with the nose portion of the board. Tip covers may be used for any type of surfboard, including those used for wind surfing. The cover comprises a relatively soft, resilient (e.g., silicone), generally V-shaped member provided with a gently rounded apex portion and a pair of rearwardly extending wing portions which merge into side surfaces of the board. Where used with a wind surfing surf board, the tip cover has a substantially flat bottom and gradually curved top. Upper and lower surfaces of the board may be provided with slots extending from the juncture of the wing portions toward the apex. An after market kit is also provided for enhancing the safety of existing boards. The kit includes a surfboard tip cover, suitable primer and adhesive, applicators and installation instructions.

Abstract: A protective tip cover for the sharply angled nose portion of a surfboard for reducing or preventing injury to a surfer or bystander upon impact with the nose portion of the board. Tip covers may be used for any type of surfboard, including those used for wind surfing. The cover comprises an integral relatively soft, resilient (e.g., silicone), member provided with a gently rounded apex portion, a main body portion, and upper and lower extensions. The extensions facilitate attachment of the tip cover to the upper and lower surfaces of the board, while providing the versatility to allow the safety tip to be used with a wide variety of different nose width and thickness boards.

Abstract: A protective tip cover for the sharply angled nose portion of a surfboard for reducing or preventing injury to the user upon impact with the nose portion of the board. The cover comprises a relatively soft, resilient (e.g., silicone), generally V-shaped member provided with a gently rounded apex portion and a pair of rearwardly extending wing portions which merge into side surfaces of the board. Upper and lower surfaces of the board are provided with slots extending from the juncture of the wing portions toward the apex. An after market kit is also provided for enhancing the safety of existing boards. The kit includes a surfboard tip cover, suitable primer and adhesive, applicators and installation instructions.