Quad fcs fin problem

[jc4]

Hi all,

No word yet. Shop is on the case with the distributor, who is on the case with manufacturer.

Will keep you posted.

Hoping to get the board wet though!!

Jaime

[nonopr]

Originally Posted by carvesalot

http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...ead_repair.htm

the Permatx product is this: Thread repair item # 765-1248 its use was discussed for footstrap holes that were stripped. I used this with, and don't think it worked so well, I used a different hole.
I would have something done under warranty.
The small screws will require additional care.

This product is crap, it does not work. Dont use it.

[eghoffman]

Has anyone come up with a good soultion to this? I'd hate to return a whole board just because it came with a stripped insert. I tried an FCS screw (rather than the Surfinz screw that it came with), but it didn't seem to help. It seems like upsizing should work, but I can't seem to find the specs for the screw on Google.

Funny, though - I found a marketing piece from a Surfinz distributor cutting in FCS for having easily stripped boxes. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

[eghoffman]

After looking at all the above alternatives, I finally just went the simple route - I upsized to M5-.8 X 10mm stainless set screws. It took a while to find them, but I finally got some from a place called Offshore Spars in Chesterfield, MI. So far, so good. It seems like it threaded properly, it's holding well and I the M5 is just marginally bigger than the stock screws.

[OzzyJon]

I've just purchased a brand new 81lt Quad and 3 of the 4 fcs screws do not tighten, they just freely turn as soon as they get any resistance from the fin. It's really taken the shine off buying a new board.

I'm going to have to try buying bigger grub screws as suggested above.

[Ola_H]

If it's a brand new board it will surely be covered under warranty. Take it back to your dealer and let him have a look.

[Chesapeake]

Originally Posted by eghoffman

Has anyone come up with a good soultion to this? I'd hate to return a whole board just because it came with a stripped insert. I tried an FCS screw (rather than the Surfinz screw that it came with), but it didn't seem to help. It seems like upsizing should work, but I can't seem to find the specs for the screw on Google.

Funny, though - I found a marketing piece from a Surfinz distributor cutting in FCS for having easily stripped boxes. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones...

Eghoffman,

I had a problem with the FCS screws even before hitting the water for the first time. The problem is twofold. First, the screws supplied with the board have small heads to them, preventing them from going in too deep. The second problem is the box dimensions are slightly larger than the FCS fins. I ended up stripping the screw trying to get the head of the screw to engage the fin.

Rather than returning the board, my short term solution was to drill out the original thread holes and fill them with Marinetex. This epoxy compound can be machined and allowed me to re-drill and tap the hole with new threads. I used the same size thread for the hole, but replaced the factory set screws with longer true set screws (ones that do not limit the travel). The result has been excellent and has held for the past year. The longer set screws have more bite against the FCS fin box and I have been able to bear down and get the fins absolutely locked.

I've had issues with the FCS fins themselves too. Their plastic/glass construction is no match for the lateral forces at work with windsurfing. The original FCS fins began showing signs of fatigue after about 3 months of use. I've been using G10 replacement fins, which can take the beating; however, the questionable availability of G10 FCS fins long-term has made me cautious. That and my curiousity to run the Quad with bigger fins in back has motivated me to replace the FCS fin boxes with MT boxes, which while not adjustable, are beefy enough to hold a sizable fin. You can view pictures of my winter project on the Boards forum here:

http://boards.mpora.com/forums/k4nve...-t56742p3.html

I'd be interested in your opinion.
Mike