A forum dedicated to Hydrofoil riders
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BWD
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Postby BWD » Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:30 pm
Learning on a used Zeeko aluminum hydrofoil, I have had my share of encounters with sandbars (soft sand/mud, luckily).
The stab screws were a bit bent when I got the foil, and got worse bumping around shallows, so I replaced them.
Now, I find the rear screw won't engage in the vertical fin.
It seems repeated groundings and forcing bent screws into the fin have gouged it out and damaged the thread.
I am contemplating potting the screw (lubricated for release) into the hole with epoxy to renew the threads, as I have done on a few other contraptions over the years.
Has anyone done this with a zeeko? or similar?
Is it a reasonable plan or ought I order a new fin instead?
Thanks for any thoughts from foilers who have dealt with this issue.
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Blackrat
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Postby Blackrat » Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:55 pm
Potting a bolt in epoxy to make threads doesn't work ... You may get it to screw in 2-3 times and then epoxy will be mashed.
Can't you glue in a longer bolt in the fin , cut the head off and use a nut , that way you won't be threading onto the epoxy all the time ?
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BWD
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Postby BWD » Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:54 pm
I have had success forming threads in epoxy, if you have good materials the result is about the same as how the fin is made in the first place.
However, I have mainly done it with M6, 1/4" and larger screws. I know the threads in most good quality manufactured fins are cut, not molded, but it works.
I am specifically asking if anyone has experience with this application, for M5 screws in zeeko or similar foil fins.
'cause the devil's in the details.
Permanently gluing the screw in the fin and using a nut and conical washer on top of the sat could certainly work, but inelegant.
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3InletsWindsports
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Postby 3InletsWindsports » Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:55 pm
The rear vertical stabilisers are just TT fins
So why not just get any old 40mm high Tt fin and use that.
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Starsky
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Postby Starsky » Sun Jul 16, 2017 12:12 am
^^^^^ +1^^^^^
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BWD
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Postby BWD » Sun Jul 16, 2017 2:06 am
'cause I have few TT fins and only one set with m5 screws, and they all have a curved base, so not ideal.
You could make an argument for reaming out the stab and using m6 or 1/4" I guess but I think they use small screws for a reason - to bend a $0.50 screw instead of a $400 fuselage when you hit something.
So if fixing doesn't work probably will order another zeeko fin...
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plummet
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Postby plummet » Sun Jul 16, 2017 5:50 am
I have TT fins called"naked fins" they are 5mm.
PS Its pretty easy to make a TT fin base flat.
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Starsky
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Postby Starsky » Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:04 am
26 Euro for a single standard tt fin is ridiculous. Seriously, take any standard fin and run it over a sanding block until the base is flat. One of your local kiters has one in their parts bin for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
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Rolavi2
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Postby Rolavi2 » Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:29 am
I was looking online and asking friends for a basic fin I could use on my Zeeko carbon as I stripped the thread on one. I used to have loads of fins I would customize my jimmy Lewis twin tips with. They would have been perfect. All gone as I haven't owned a twin tip for the past 6 years. it isn't as easy as you think to find one these days. I was amazed as it is just a basic fin. Phase 5 skimboards had some skim fins that would probably work. I ordered a couple of them from Zeeko and have back ups now.
Last edited by
Rolavi2 on Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Kamikuza
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Postby Kamikuza » Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:33 am
BWD wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2017 2:06 am
'cause I have few TT fins and only one set with m5 screws, and they all have a curved base, so not ideal.
You could make an argument for reaming out the stab and using m6 or 1/4" I guess but I think they use small screws for a reason - to bend a $0.50 screw instead of a $400 fuselage when you hit something.
So if fixing doesn't work probably will order another zeeko fin...
There's a guy on eBay, happy_nigel or something, who has a vast selection of fins for a proper price.
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