Why are fairings called fairings?

**Oscar** · 5th August 2009, 09:46

Fair – verb (used with object)

24. to make the connection or junction of (surfaces) smooth and even.

25. Shipbuilding.
a. to draw and adjust (the lines of a hull being designed) to produce regular surfaces of the correct form.
b. to adjust the form of (a frame or templet) in accordance with a design, or cause it to conform to the general form of a hull.
c. to restore (a bent plate or structural member) to its original form.
d. to align (the frames of a vessel under construction) in proper position.

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**2wheeldrifter** · 5th August 2009, 09:53

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Because 'Algenon' was taken. No. Any facts or Hypotheses?

Who want's some cheese?

**mashman** · 5th August 2009, 09:56

If a bike is non faired then you feel buffeting. Therefore you fair your ride???

**idb** · 5th August 2009, 10:07

Originally Posted by NDORFN

I like the way you ignore the fact of Google for the sake of a good theorizing thread Big Dave. Personally, I think they should be called clothes.

Don't you hate it now that, when you're in the middle of a good argument in the pub some wanker can pull out his 3G phone and look up Google?

**ready4whatever** · 5th August 2009, 10:32

something to do with aerodynamics

**cynna** · 5th August 2009, 11:04

so we can laugh at the people that call them flarings

**Swoop** · 5th August 2009, 11:27

It pre-dates aviation and comes from ship/boatbuilding.

Getting a hull "fair" or "faired up" takes a lot of work with a handplane and sandpaper, a heap of elbow grease and also time.
The result is a smooth surface and hull shape, which is more efficient in water (hydrodynamics).

**Usarka** · 5th August 2009, 14:24

Originally Posted by Swoop

Getting a hull "fair" or "faired up" takes a lot of work with a handplane and sandpaper, a heap of elbow grease and also time.
The result is a smooth surface and hull shape, which is more efficient in water (hydrodynamics).

Like waxing ya pubes....