myiW Current Conditions and Forecasts Community Forums Buy and Sell Services
 
Hi guest · myAccount · Log in
 SearchSearch   ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   RegisterRegister 
PowerBox fin wobble?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    iWindsurf Community Forum Index -> Windsurfing Discussion
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
rtz



Joined: 31 Oct 2010
Posts: 296
Location: Oklahoma City

PostPosted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 10:49 pm    Post subject: PowerBox fin wobble? Reply with quote

I've got two boards and the fin on both them rocks side to side. Meaning it has side to side play. Tightening it up doesn't correct the loose fit. Is this common and accepted?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GURGLETROUSERS



Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 2643

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 12:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, it is not acceptable!

An obvious 'fix' for a sloppy fitting fin is to cut a strip of Mylar (or something equivalent) from an old sail, wrap it round the base and up the base sides of the fin, and see how it fits (without forcing it) into the box. It will usually be necessary to cut and adjust to get a 'just so' fit, without any slack or side to side wobble, before tightening it down.

Once you get it right, don't bother changing fins in that board, it won't work loose, so just learn how to get the best out of it! (It's not rocket science.)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jingebritsen



Joined: 21 Aug 2002
Posts: 3371

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 3:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

spacers or multiple layers of paint or epoxy resin worx.

check the length of your screw too. too long????

_________________
www.aerotechsails.com
www.exocet-original.com
www.iwindsurf.com
http://www.epicgearusa.com/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bred2shred



Joined: 02 May 2000
Posts: 989
Location: Jersey Shore

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 7:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Powerbox fin bases taper on both the sides and the ends. If the fin rocks side to side, it means that the tapers on the ends are getting tight before the tapers on the sides. Does the fin fit flush with the bottom of the board? If so, then you need to shim the sides of the base. Use parafin wax or similar to release the inside of the fin box. Then scuff and clean the sides of the fin. Mix up a small batch of marine tex epoxy putty and place a small dab on each side of the fin base. Insert the fin into the board and tighten the screw until the fin base is about 1/32” above the bottom of the board. Wipe off any residual marine tex. Use a square to make sure the fin is perpendicular to the bottom of the board. Let the epoxy cure. Once it’s fully cured, remove the fin from the board and use a flat file to clean off any residual epoxy/flashing. Fin should fit snug with zero side to side movement.

sm
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:03 am    Post subject: Re: PowerBox fin wobble? Reply with quote

rtz wrote:
I've got two boards and the fin on both them rocks side to side. Meaning it has side to side play. Tightening it up doesn't correct the loose fit. Is this common and accepted?


Fin wiggles on 2 boards, fin is most likely the problem. Not common on powerbox. Should not wiggle, fix it .

_________________
K4 fins
4Boards....May the fours be with you

http://www.k4fins.com/fins.html
http://4boards.co.uk/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 11:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's why you're spinning out. A fin MUST be rock solid side to side. At least one of the once-best fin brands (True Ames) has switched their emphasis away from windsurfing and let their WSing fin QC go to hell, leaving it to us to correct their problem (my last TA took an hour of sanding to get it into the finbox, but it beat returning it to the factory because shipping has also suffered).

If the fin is flush with the board but still wiggles, follow Bred's advice to build up the fin. Slightly too small, add some packing tape to the fin to see if that solves the problem before remanufacturing it. If it won't go flush, the fin is too fat and it's time to sand the fin base. Find my previous posts on that problem, probably found by searching the forum for my posts about True Ames.

Sorry, but I just don't have the time to dig it up, and have forgotten what kind of pencil we use to test the fin for high spots.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
dllee



Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 5328
Location: East Bay

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had well over 40 Pb boards and ALL were fin solid.
Currently rotate thru 12 Bb boards abd 10 Pb fins, all solid.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nw30



Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Posts: 6485
Location: The eye of the universe, Cen. Cal. coast

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The clear plastic window that comes on all sorts of product packages, makes great fin shims. No need to attach it to the fin base, just place it where you figure out where you need it, cut to size and fit.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I saw a guy with a problem once. His fin wouldn't tighten up. The screw was too long.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    iWindsurf Community Forum Index -> Windsurfing Discussion All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum

myiW | Weather | Community | Membership | Support | Log in
like us on facebook
© Copyright 1999-2007 WeatherFlow, Inc Contact Us Ad Marketplace

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group