I just purchased a 9" Wingnut Cutwaway for my 9’ longboard. The fin slides back and forth in the fin box fine, but it has a lot of wobble side-to-side. How can I get this fin to stiffen up in the box so that it doesn’t wobble? I have had fins wobble a little but this is way too much. Thanks!
Use electrical tape on the sides of the fin, just the part that fits in the box. Slide it in till it’s nice and snug. You may have to use more than one layer, no bid deal. Then using a razor blade, trim off the excess (gently and carefully). This always solves the problem for me. Electrical tape is waterproof, flexible, and easy to trim. Plus, it’s cheap and it will work. If it leaves a residue, then use acetone or rubbing alcohol (or even fingernail polish remover) to clean it up (again, gently and carefully). Of course, if you plan to move your fin a lot, like day to day, then it might be a pain. I usually put my fin all the way back and just leave it there forever. But that’s why I like glass on fins better anyway. Since I only travel in the US or Mex and when I go to Hawaii I rent boards (since there are thousands of good boards to rent for ten bucks a day on the North Shore). My point is that I don’t have much of a need for removable fins (except on longboards where I try to find just the right fin for a board). Good luck.
Tank - Cut some newspaper about 3" x 5" - 4 or 5 pieces and wrap it around the base where it slides into the box. Add or subtract pieces so it goes in snug with no wobble. Then trim off excess sticking out of box. When the paper gets wet it swells up and the fin will never move. If you adjust it , just repeat process. I have held fins in this way for years - with no screw. Pete
Tank - Just to clarify - FOLD the paper over the base of the fin sticking up the sides so you have an equal no. of sheets on each side…give it a try - Pete
If you want to do it right mask off the fin leaving the tap exposed. Dip a Q-tip in some UV cure sanding resin and paint one side of the tab then sand it carefully with a wood block and 100 grit sandpaper. A little work with a 1/2 round bastard file can be helpful around the expansion pin. If the fin is still loose do the same thing to the other side. Most center fins are make of Polyester resin so the bond with be fine and you’ll have a permanent job and fin that is the right size. Shimming is ok but just a temporary fix IMHO. It’s good to have a little sanding resin around for ding work anyway and the price is right. A pint of the stuff won’t break the bank, just keep is sealed up tight and in a cool place in the dark. Mahalo, Rich
Newspaper…sounds like a good idea, and if the waves are flat you’ll have something to read. Just kidding. I am going to try that next time. The electrical tape works well, but is a bit sticky and sometimes takes a couple tries. I think I’ll try the newspaper. But BE CAREFUL. If you use the comics section your board might ride a little funny [wink]
i actually like shimming with plastic, say from a battery or toothbrush package or something similiar. anyything lying around will do really…
Thanks Rich. I used Sun Cure and coated the base. Then sanded it down. Had trouble getting it back into the box so I used some mineral oil and it fits perfectly…no wobble at all. Why would it not fit properly in the first place? Never have had that happen to a fin. How do you think 9" a ‘nut cutaway would perform for a 9’ rounded pin longboard. It’s a fairly light poly board. Tank
Hey Tank, The answer to your question is in my post to Deb above. Good luck with you 9.0" let me know if I can help somehow. I’m sure there are lots of very experience surfers who can help as well. Mahalo, Rich
Cut a piece of metal from a coke can and fold it around the base of the fin as many pieces as you need to get it tight.