Deep Tuttle fin box too big

akrausz · Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 158 Location: FL

I have a formula board where all the fins sit a little too deep and/or a little too loose. Nothing serious, I could just use it as is. But being the anal person I am, I like the fins to fit perfectly...you know, like they do in Powerbox boards without any work. So, I usually smear some epoxy (or whatever) on the tab, let it dry, and sand it until it's just right.

Well, I just bought another fin, and I got to thinking that maybe I should be working on the fin box instead. Anybody ever do anything to the fin box that permanently makes it fit better?

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Fin box, just brush a thin layer of epoxy resin (with catalyst), onto the inside, let cure, fit fin, and sand with 100 grit paper folded 4 times onto itself to provide a flat sanding surface.
IF all your fins are slightly loose.

rollerrider · Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 100

Epoxy runs very easily on non vertical surfaces as it cures. You may end up with lots of sanding to do. Be sure to use a fast curing epoxy resin and hardener.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Hence, THIN layer, fine bristle brush.

Brian_S · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 249 Location: SE Michigan

Personally, I like using plastic shim stock: http://www.mcmaster.com/#shim-stock/=z1jc4e I bought a few different sizes (it's cheap). Assuming the looseness is wobble side-to-side, add shim stock to the sides of the fin until the fin fits snug in the box.
Roughly cut the shim stock to the size of the base. Put a little super glue onto the base and stick the shim stock. (This may be multiple layers of different thicknesses.) Once the glue has dried, trim the excess shim stock with a razor blade. You might have to sand a little because the glue adds thickness.
It lasts a long time.

DanWeiss · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 2296 Location: Connecticut, USA

If the fins draw up tightly into deep Tutle box (as they should -requiring torque on the bolts to lock it down) you do not need to "bottom out" the fin. The Tuttle box designs are intended as friction-fit boxes, so should be no dire need to draw the fin to the limit. The bolts are intended to simply draw the fin up and secure it.

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724

What Dan said.

It's not the width of the box.

It's the angled front and back pieces that are determining the depth

flpnhndl · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 87

My biggest board has DT. They suck. Fins never fit. Always have to do significant tweeking to get them to fit.

Brian_S · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 249 Location: SE Michigan

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Original post mentioned TOO LOOSE, also.
Too loose might be side to side, right?