Getting the fin out

PennyB · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 28

I have a new to me Angulo Super Gu, which I love. I had the prior owner take the fin out so I could check the box which was ok. I am not able to remove the fin however. Any suggestions for weak armed girls are welcome!
Penny

zirtaeb · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1754

Did you remove the screw that holds the fin IN? Do you know what kind of box and how many screws retain the fin? Best to check that first, before using a rubber mallet on the tip of the fin.

PennyB · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 28

I believe it is a power box, which has a single screw. Yes, I did remove it, but that is a good question! I have not used a mallet on the tip of the fin, I just can't get it to wiggle at all. Pound on the tip or where? I hate pounding on anything.
Penny

zirtaeb · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1754

PBox, screw removed, tap the leading edge with the rubber mallet lightly, then moderate. Now tap the trailing edge to see if you can loosen it the opposite direction. Hold mallet in the middle of the handle, and only wrist flick it, not using your whole arm..... tap, tap, tap, tap.

PennyB · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 28

Thanks, I will try it tonight or tomorrow. Are power box fins always that hard to get out?
Penny

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 952

Power box bases are tapered, so they get tighter the more you use them, wedging themselves in.
Guaranteed, if you tried to sail without the screw, the fin will come off and sink to the bottom in the mud.
Most PBox bases are also soft black plastic, so they get wedged in tighter than fiberglass/resin based fins.

johnl · Joined: 05 Jun 1994 Posts: 879 Location: Hood River OR

Be gentle doing this. You can damage the area around the fin box. I usually just put my fin cover on and the wack it a few times on each end of the tip with my palm. If you don't have a fin cover if you wrap a towell around it then wack it with your palm you can accomplish the same thing.

NOTE you are NOT hitting it side to side but front to back along the same axis as the fin. I don't leave any of my fins in, so I take them out after each use. Some come out easier than others.....

nw30 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 10:33 am Post subject:

Put the screw back in, but not all the way so that you have about 1/2" sticking out on the deck. Then whack the screw head with a rubber mallot, that should drive the fin down and out of the box.

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2093

Screw back in and whack as NW said

zirtaeb · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1754

Screw in might not be the best because most stock screws barely go 5 threads IN, and if you only thread it half way, when you "whack" it, on only 3 screw threads, you can easily strip out the THREE threads.
Also, "whacking" it should be done with a metal hammer, the shock doing the work, not the power.