I had to make some washers for my fin screws tonight and thought I would make it easier to insert and remove them from the recessed holes on my boards with standard tuttle boxes. The holes are recessed about 25-30mm below deck level and are too small in diameter to get a finger either side of the screw head. By extending the rubber washer into a strip, two tabs are created allowing the screw to be placed perfectly. I dont know why I haven't done this before as most of the time when I need to get the screws out I have resorted to tipping the board upside down and shaking them out. You can sometimes guide the screw in and remove it on the tip of the screwdriver but this is hit and miss and magnetic tips don't work on 316 stainless. This should work well on thicker tailed boards with powerboxes also...
More info here...
whitelionwindsurfing.blogspot.com/2011/05/fin-screw-tabs.html
It would be a great idea if all board makers did the elongated oval hole, like Starboard do, so you can get two fingers in.
It seems that they're a bit slow at times to implement simple ideas.
with powerbox I stick my little finger up from the underside and the bolt comes up high enough to grab it easily.
Does that not work with Tuttle? (haven't had a Tuttle for a looonng time)
Should be easier as the Tuttle box is wider than PB?
ah yes - cos the bolts are pretty much all the same length I guess - so on a really thick board the recess is deeper?
On my FSW the bolt head is only 20-30mm below the deck, on a thick board it would be triple that I guess
haven't looked at a race / slalom / freeride board for a while
That's a great idea, so helpful for the fittment and removal of the screw. No lost screw in the sand either
The tap washer in the finbox is a great idea for power boxes with the step down above the barrel nut.
Tuttle boxes are a different story with the top of the head sitting flush with the top of the fin box cavity.
Another idea is to; next time you have a cup of tea, detach and keep the string and tab from the tea bag, tie around the top of the fin bolt. Just leave the string poking out the top of the whole when fin bolt in place ...... Easy.
[Note tetley tea bag tabs are no good, they seem to go soggy to quickly and fall apart, while the T3 brand tabs are the opposite and have sharp hard corners which might hurt your feet, I have found that twinings maintain their integrity while are soft enough not to be a hazard]
Nice Dr J .... but you need to drink tea. I would be a little scared of pulling a little white string...
I noticed that there were no spring washers in the pics. after losing a fin years ago I have always included a spring washer with the fin screws,
How about other people?