Looking for some help/advice.

I have a new tuttle box fin that I want to fit into a board with a deep-tuttle box. My understanding of the theory is that the deep-tuttle box is compatible with both tuttle and deep-tuttle fins. However, in reality, a tuttle fin will only every be held in position within a deep-tuttle box by being wedged into the taper of the box, exerting huge forces on either end of the fin box - a disaster waiting to happen in my opinion. On the other hand, a deep tuttle fin fills the box completely, allowing it to be held by a much safer and more secure clamping force between the bottom of the box and the top of the fin.

It seems that a simple solution is a spacer to fill in the void otherwise create by a tuttle fin in a deep-tuttle box. It will need holes to allow the fin bolts to reach through to the tuttle fin. Does such an accessory exist or am I going to have to make one? Any other solutions or tips on making a spacer? I don't want anything permanent filling the box - on other occasions I will still want to fit deep tuttle fins in the box so I'll need to ensure the spacer cannot become permanently wedged in the box.

Thanks...Eckers.

As the muppet says, the fin'll work fine without a spacer and not break anything. I got bored one weekend and made a spacer out of some kneadit putty, so the fin sits exactly flush in the box. They do tend to get pulled into the box a bit, if the fit isn't exact

I've also seen them made out of the wife's favourite chopping board.

Ive not seen them available commercially.

Thanks for the thoughts. Upon re-measuring, I concur that fins, both tuttle and deep tuttle don't typically bottom-out in the box. The fit is a bit sloppy at the moment (fore-aft movement of 1/2mm), and I cant afford for the fin to be pulled into the box as it has a trailing edge projection that will knife into the board base if it is pulled inwards. Currently bulking up the back of the tuttle with resin/fibreglass to tighten up the fit, then we'll see if there's a need to get more complex with a spacer.

eckas said..
Thanks for the thoughts. Upon re-measuring, I concur that fins, both tuttle and deep tuttle don't typically bottom-out in the box. The fit is a bit sloppy at the moment (fore-aft movement of 1/2mm), and I cant afford for the fin to be pulled into the box as it has a trailing edge projection that will knife into the board base if it is pulled inwards. Currently bulking up the back of the tuttle with resin/fibreglass to tighten up the fit, then we'll see if there's a need to get more complex with a spacer.

With a few of my fin box's being power box and next to useless for holding any weed fin over 30cm rigidly (I hate PB it's f'ken useless) I file the bottom of the trailing edge of the weed fin to give 3-4mm of clearance on the board.

Never had any detrimental effects from it and no fin marks on the board if I sail in to shallow

what happens if you run aground with a deep tuttle ?
hope i didn't just jinx myself
.
the beauty of the PB is : when you hit a rock or run aground, the screw head pops off and the fin comes off
when that happened to me, my fin was a goner, but board was fine !!

rogerswin said..

Anyone got an old board,fin and big hammer that can simulate hitting a rock at 35+ knots results would be appreciated.

Hey Roger I've done exactly that but with a new board, 36 knots into a reef bombie, shoved the fin base right into the back of the box Contacted CA and found it was an easy fix, if you ever do the same I'm your man

firiebob said..

rogerswin said..

Anyone got an old board,fin and big hammer that can simulate hitting a rock at 35+ knots results would be appreciated.

Hey Roger I've done exactly that but with a new board, 36 knots into a reef bombie, shoved the fin base right into the back of the box Contacted CA and found it was an easy fix, if you ever do the same I'm your man

Cheers Bob. If your up north at the time will you come back and fix it for me.

Should be ok though, I use a spacer anyway and I just moulded a second one last weekend.

^^^ Does tribal still use the same barrel nuts? I ask as IMHO if the urethane head distorts and absorbs some energy, then the designed 'barrel nut stripping' may not occur. I would rather that the (seemingly) time proven system of the brass barrel nut being machined with loose tolerances, so the fin bolts strip the thread out easily, is kept.
If that system works just but then you add a different fin head construction in the hope of preventing damage, it may stop the first system from working.
Further, if the head is not rigid, the interference fit taper lock won't be as efficient meaning the bolts are holding more tension.

The point in this thread seems to be will a tuttle fin work in a deep tuttle box without damage? Yeah they will bust out just the same when you hit something as the box taper and interference fit is the same.
However any box can be busted............. or any fin bolt can let go prematurely upon being hit.
I'd say the install is more important, the more d'cell around it the better.

Pimping new Wind Tech again is not so relevant.