Quick question.
Installing a busted out fin and it looks pretty ugly. I read about putting some “woodies” in there for extra strength but can anyone explain how that works?
Also, is there any way to “rout” out a finbox slot without a router? The stringer is tough.
Thanks!
The most common woodies are stringer-like wood strips on either side of the box. Basically they run parallel with the center stringer and are about 1-1/8" apart so the box fits snug between them. The woodies usually go about 2 inches beyond the box, so for a 10" box (10.5" actual) the woodies would be about 14-1/2’ long.
No router… …yikes. Take a hacksaw blade and wrap a rag around one end to serve as a handle. Carefully saw all the way around the box. (Might have to start out “laying down” the blade to get the cut started). Try not to stab through to the deck as this will make for much sadness.
Insert the fin. Now you will attempt to release the bond the bottom of the box has with the foam and stringer. Usually a couple of sharp side blows will do the trick…
Get your hands on some 1/4" thick x 1-1/4" wide x 14-1/2" long wood strips. Mahogany, Bass, Poplar or even good ply. Not Balsa. Use your hack saw blade to cut slits for the woodies. I usually drill a 1/4" diameter hole at each end so the holes look clean. Variation: use a fresh box cutter (utility knife) to score (with straight edge) and eventually cut the glass. Use the blade to go into the foam. Use a sanding block to clean up the edges of the slits where you messed up…
Tape off. Mix some resin, white pigment, and cabosil and coat both woodies (not on fin box contact area) and shove them into the slits. When dry, plane and sand flat. Sand the entire area and lam a total of 12 oz over the entire area (no box yet), probably something like 18" x 4". Hotcoat.
Use the blade (can you borrow a router?!!) to cut the fin box hole. Pot the new fin box as normal; 2 layers of 6oz with white pigmented resin. Sand everything flush. Hotcoat the entire tail as desired. Light sand and serve with onions…
Now you should be able to run over any unsuspecting grom with heavy casualties and little or no damage to your fin box. If you strike an object hard enough, your board should break just ahead of the woodies, but that repair should be in the archives. Good Luck.
Howzit burningspear, If the box is already broken it shoiuld be easy to remove. I usualy use a screw driver and start at the break by knocking the side of the box inwards and the chunks will break off so you can take the pieces out. I know it’s a primitive way but I’ve done to many to count and it works. The hack saw blade sounds like it might be a cleaner way to go. Which ever way you do it will work but after tou get the old box out I’d suggest rerouting the hole to clean it up before putting in the new one.Aloha,Kokua
Good info!
Thanks guys. I’ll post up a pic of the beast when it is done hopefully.