My Bio-fin splitfin...split

[rumblefish]

Well, just got back from a great vacation in Thailand. Managed to get 17 dives in during my stay, including 11 in on a LOB in the Similan Islands.

During my first dive on the LOB, when donning the fin, the loop on the fin strap snapped. OK, I think...no problem, it happens. However, on the very last dive of the trip I had a major failure of my bio-fin. Upon surfacing on the last dive, a member in my dive group let me know that my biofin had split right down the middle. Well, duh, I'm thinking, they are split fins....and then I look down and notice that there really is a huge split down the middle of my fin. I really don't know how it split. I wasn't crouching on the seabed or knocking into anything.

Now, I'm a little shocked at this as I bought the fin in late 2006 and have only about 70 dives on it. I take real good care of my gear. I always rinse after dives and never dry or store my gear in direct sunlight. Due to it's heavy rubber construction, I thought that these would last for years.

I have to say, I love my biofins. But, this is something I never expected and has kind of given me pause if asked to recommend a fin. So I throw it out to the board, has anyone ever experienced something similar to this?

[300bar]

Have seen this "split"happening once,on a Oceanic V12.
They have a "limited"lifetime warrenty.
I called them about it and told me to replace it on the spot.
Afterwards is was a batch of fins with a bad rubber mix.
Never seen it happen again,uptill now.

Good luck with the warrenty.
Would be nice to know what they DO.

[mdb]

rumblefish:

Please contact us direct @ 800.231.0909/fax: 425.290.7665/e-mail: apollous@mac.com

Our warranty on Apollo bio-fins is one year from date of purchase.

We have a number of options for any warranty issue.

Give us a call, fax, or e-mail.

[rumblefish]

Well, I contacted Apollo and here is what they told me. Since my fins are over the 1 year warranty, I have the option of buying a new fin from them with a 1 time 50% discount. If I have my original receipt they won't charge me for shipping and I must send the damaged fin back to them. So, if I want to replace my fin, it works out like this:

Apollo Bio-fin pro C-series $279 -50% DISCOUNT = $139 to replace both

To replace 1 fin would be half of that = ~$70 for 1 fin.

Now the thing that's funny is that the woman on the phone said that the spring straps would cost extra??? I think she has this wrong as the C-series is priced $60 more then the normal biofin because of the spring strap.

I wrote the Apollo rep a PM saying something to the effect that while I don't mind paying for parts that are subject to normal wear and tear like screws and straps, this failure is not the same as it's a total failure in basic construction. The rep's response...tough, that's the deal.

Now, I could elect to buy another fin, but if there's an issue with the construction of the fin, the other fin may be subject to a similar failure. If that fails after I buy 1 fin from them, well, I'm basically out of luck. I could elect to buy a pair from them, but I just don't know if they really stand behind their products.

I'm still mulling over what to do.

[mdb]

For the record here is our response:

Hi Jeff:

Our warranty is for one year from purchase.

Using soaps, or solvents, sun exposure, etc, can all degrade the all rubber bio-fin.

Simply rinse with fresh water and store in a cool dry place.

We do offer a significant discount for replacement. You have been notified of that discount amount and it will apply to your fins purchased in 2006.

We are open 9-5, M-T @
Apollo Sports: Dive Gear
e-mail: apollous@mac.com
800.231.0909
fax: 425.290.7665
__________________

[CompuDude]

Annoying, I'll agree, but Apollo's proposal seems fairly reasonable given the simple fact that the fins are 3 years old and there is a one year warranty.

There will always be some risk with a natural rubber product, I suppose is the lesson in this. The fins are good enough that it seems to be that the trade-off may be worth it.

[tc_rain]

$139.00 to replace both is a pretty good deal. That will also give you a spare fin if you should ever need one.

[Rainer]

Buy a better fin. Solved.

[CompuDude]

Buy a better fin. Solved.

Better for who?

[Rainer]

Touche.