Footstrap screws - bent?

RadiantX · 13th November 2009, 04:31 AM

Hi all,

There's a little bit out there on this topic but nothing that really answers why it happens.

Adjusting my straps further back on my 09 Futura last night I found the 2 screws on the right front strap were both bent. All the others ok. I'm very careful screwing in my screws as I'm always concerned about threading the inserts etc. I apply soap, make sure the screws go in straight and hand tighten firmly (but not to the extreme!). I also re tighten after a few sessions on the water. Any idea's on why this would happen?

Thanksl!

Ola_H · 13th November 2009, 02:01 PM

Do you have a pic? Are the bent a lot? Are they bent close to the head?

RadiantX · 14th November 2009, 05:02 AM

No problem Ola_H. One is bent closer to the head the other from further down, I think mid way.

Ken · 15th November 2009, 02:37 AM

Radiant,

My guess is that the first time you attached the foot straps, you didn't come back and re-tighten them after a few sessions. It takes some time for the material to compress and after a few sessions, the straps become a bit lose. They usually twist some, which is the warning that they the screws are not tight. If this is what happened to you, then they may have bent as a result.

Next time, re-tighten the screws after every couple of sessions, until they stay tight.

RadiantX · 15th November 2009, 09:16 AM

Cheers Ken!

Yeah, quite strange. I generally do check the screws after every few sessions. I guess every session is even better!

Ola_H · 19th November 2009, 08:47 PM

Looks strange. Maybe the problem indeed is that they were not tightened enough after the straps and pads compressed.

FIN555 · 3rd December 2009, 04:55 PM

Or maybe there is problem with the screw material?
Some stainless steel alloys can be quite soft.

Mike T · 13th December 2009, 07:17 AM

Radiant X
I've seen this with a friends SB Aero after he got catapulted and broke the nose of his board. Almost all his foot strap screws where loose and bent especially the starboard side because of starboard tack jumps. You could put a SS metric split washer or (internal locking star washer)+(they are very thin) under them if it's a real problem with the screws coming loose after a short session or just keep the screw driver handy! I also agree with the other post about the material getting compressed over time so you have to keep snugging down the screws. I'd just replace the bent screws and keep them snug! Mike

Roger · 13th December 2009, 07:41 AM

Guys.
Starboard has come out with some new footstrap screws that are 7mm PT vice the previous 6mm PT (Plastics Tech) screws.
If you install the new 7mm screws, with a #3 Phillips screwdriver and use some soap as a lubricant, you will probably solve all your loosening/bending/breaking issues.
Not sure where you can get them, but they are std. on all new Starboards manufactured since around mid September 2009.
According to Tiesda, they will screw into the existing FS screw holes that accepted the 6mm screws just fine.
Lubricating the screws with a bar of soap, and using the correct #3 screwdriver has always worked nicely for me.
Never pulled one out, never broke one, and, after a couple of retightenings (from initial installation) they do not loosen up. I've had somewhere around 100 Starboards in my demo fleet over the last 10 years.
Hope this helps,

RadiantX · 18th December 2009, 09:33 AM

I've since upgraded to a new Futura101 (I wanted to go smaller in volume). The new 7mm screws were initially harder to install but with some soap and a bit of force they go in nicely once they grip. I now check the tightness of the screws during and after I sail. So far so good. I appreciate all the advice!

13th November 2009, 04:31 AM	#1
RadiantX Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 62	Footstrap screws - bent? Hi all, There's a little bit out there on this topic but nothing that really answers why it happens. Adjusting my straps further back on my 09 Futura last night I found the 2 screws on the right front strap were both bent. All the others ok. I'm very careful screwing in my screws as I'm always concerned about threading the inserts etc. I apply soap, make sure the screws go in straight and hand tighten firmly (but not to the extreme!). I also re tighten after a few sessions on the water. Any idea's on why this would happen? Thanksl!

15th November 2009, 02:37 AM	#4
Ken Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas USA Posts: 798	Radiant, My guess is that the first time you attached the foot straps, you didn't come back and re-tighten them after a few sessions. It takes some time for the material to compress and after a few sessions, the straps become a bit lose. They usually twist some, which is the warning that they the screws are not tight. If this is what happened to you, then they may have bent as a result. Next time, re-tighten the screws after every couple of sessions, until they stay tight. __________________ Toys: Formula 160; iSonic 111; HiFly Move 105; Tiga 263; '85 Mistral Superlight. Maui Sails TR 11.0; 9.2; 8.4; 7.6; 6.6; Maui Sails Switch 6.0; 5.2; Maui Sails Global 4.5; 4.0.

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13th November 2009, 02:01 PM	#2
Ola_H TEAM Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,191	Do you have a pic? Are the bent a lot? Are they bent close to the head?

14th November 2009, 05:02 AM	#3
RadiantX Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 62	No problem Ola_H. One is bent closer to the head the other from further down, I think mid way.

15th November 2009, 09:16 AM	#5
RadiantX Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 62	Cheers Ken! Yeah, quite strange. I generally do check the screws after every few sessions. I guess every session is even better!

19th November 2009, 08:47 PM	#6
Ola_H TEAM Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,191	Looks strange. Maybe the problem indeed is that they were not tightened enough after the straps and pads compressed.

3rd December 2009, 04:55 PM	#7
FIN555 New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 4	Or maybe there is problem with the screw material? Some stainless steel alloys can be quite soft.

13th December 2009, 07:17 AM	#8
Mike T Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 64	Radiant X I've seen this with a friends SB Aero after he got catapulted and broke the nose of his board. Almost all his foot strap screws where loose and bent especially the starboard side because of starboard tack jumps. You could put a SS metric split washer or (internal locking star washer)+(they are very thin) under them if it's a real problem with the screws coming loose after a short session or just keep the screw driver handy! I also agree with the other post about the material getting compressed over time so you have to keep snugging down the screws. I'd just replace the bent screws and keep them snug! Mike

13th December 2009, 07:41 AM	#9
Roger Dream Team - School Guru Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,060	Guys. Starboard has come out with some new footstrap screws that are 7mm PT vice the previous 6mm PT (Plastics Tech) screws. If you install the new 7mm screws, with a #3 Phillips screwdriver and use some soap as a lubricant, you will probably solve all your loosening/bending/breaking issues. Not sure where you can get them, but they are std. on all new Starboards manufactured since around mid September 2009. According to Tiesda, they will screw into the existing FS screw holes that accepted the 6mm screws just fine. Lubricating the screws with a bar of soap, and using the correct #3 screwdriver has always worked nicely for me. Never pulled one out, never broke one, and, after a couple of retightenings (from initial installation) they do not loosen up. I've had somewhere around 100 Starboards in my demo fleet over the last 10 years. Hope this helps,

18th December 2009, 09:33 AM	#10
RadiantX Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 62	I've since upgraded to a new Futura101 (I wanted to go smaller in volume). The new 7mm screws were initially harder to install but with some soap and a bit of force they go in nicely once they grip. I now check the tightness of the screws during and after I sail. So far so good. I appreciate all the advice!