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Thruster Makeover

 
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Waterat Pat



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 192

PostPosted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 12:06 pm    Post subject: Thruster Makeover Reply with quote

So I have an older SOS Rocketfish 82l Wave board that someone converted to a thruster setup. Not done very well as they used the FCS system which is not nearly strong enough to handle the loads of a windsurfer.
Anywho I am using Futures and surrounding the box with 6lb poly foam to add strength. I like that futures fins fill the whole box no holes and you can get blanks if you want to go single fin. Going to add to this post as I progress with lots of pics for fun.

Cheers!



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Waterat Pat



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 192

PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I love holidays. Windsurfed the coast 3 times already with some nice fun sized South Swell and I have time to play in the garage.
Got the boxes glued up and sanded and I have to say I am impressed with the weight. I had some 130mm slotboxes lying around so I did a weight comparison. They do make a smaller slotbox at 100mm which of course would be lighter.



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Wind-NC.com



Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 980
Location: Formerly Cape Hatteras, now Burlington, VT!

PostPosted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks to me like the different depths of the boxes would account for the weight difference. I haven't installed slot boxes but I think that they usually tie in to the deck of the boards? Could be wrong. In any case, I would imagine that the slot box could handle significantly higher loads.
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Boardhead1



Joined: 01 Mar 2011
Posts: 58
Location: St Petersburg Fl

PostPosted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think your on the right track with the Future fin system, since the FCS boxes are okay for surfing but windsurfing would be another story. Also the amount of material they remove from the FCS fins so they fit into the two little boxes is where the problem is if you ask me. I think for small side biter fins the Futures are a good bet. the slot boxes would be good if your going to use much bigger fins and or if it's set up for a quad. I wonder what happened to Freestyle Fins? 1980's West Wind Sailboard in Houston Tx built me a winged pin-tail thruster and it had mini US boxes with ridges in the bottom of the box and a flexible tab on the base of the fin. Slide the fin into the box, no tools needed and you could adjust them forward and aft by tapping them. Really great way to tune the thruster forward and back. Post more Pictures Have Fun!
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Waterat Pat



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 192

PostPosted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the encouragement Boardhead!
Ahh the weekend time for fun projects. Built my router template and proceeded to open up the board. I immediately saw why the FCS fin box failed big voids.
So I had to cut down the box insert even more so I did not go through the rail. Way easier to oversize your insert and chop it down to your routed hole size. You can see just how close I got to the rail where my awl is touching it.
So I know fin placement is a huge discussion so I will just state what I did.
Per Sean Ordonez I went with 2 degrees of Toe in and 5 degrees of Cant. The Cant actually ends up being less because this bottom shape is a deep single concave which takes away about 4 degrees. You can see in the last pic I glue with the fins installed and I make an angle template so I get it right.

Time for a beer. Cheers!



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Waterat Pat



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 192

PostPosted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Moving right along. I reinforced the boxes with a single layer of carbon trying to keep it as light as possible. Almost done.


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U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

my 2 ¢, having done a few conversions. 2 degree of toe is good so long as asymmetrical fins are used, otherwise 1.5 or so, I dont use any cant, but want the fin to be 90 degrees, so not tilted inside in reference to any concave.

I don't use FCS inserts, I do use the FCS fins in my ProBox boxes.
I would use Futures boxes over FCS as well.

The SlotBox you show are going to be stronger than the Futures as installed, using carbon around the poly foam, and carbon overlay and top with fiberglass would all add to its strength, additionally I would use 8lb pour foam and tie the box to the underside on the board, carbon again.

strength is gained by securing the box, whatever type into the existing board materials.

The 100mm VS 130mm SlotBox lengths weight difference is negligible, in this area of the board a non issue. Hi tech light weight fins would result in less weight.

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Waterat Pat



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 192

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

All finished after a bit of paint. I have had 2 sessions now and am pretty pleased. Turning on the wave is super fast and the flat foiled side fins seem to work well. I am only running a 6" center fin its what I had around. I think I could go a bit bigger. Yes there is more drag but grip on the wave is increased and man can I skate over the reef in shallow areas.


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U2U2U2



Joined: 06 Jul 2001
Posts: 5467
Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks a first class job !! Very Happy

with your center fin, I would 'guess' 12cm sides( about of course)

if you are happy with the fin, they leave be. If not you may glean some performance from some of the others offered from Future

rx: Future Fins Vector 2 Black Stix 2.0 - R1

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http://www.k4fins.com/fins.html
http://4boards.co.uk/
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