EVery time I gybed today and put my back foot down near the tail I heard what sounded like a creaking/cracking noise. It seemed to coming from the tail just around where the back footstrap is. The strange thing is the noise would only occur when I powered up the sail and put foot down on the tail. But if I then sheeted out, went off the plane and tried to replicate the noise I couldn't. So I'd plane away, gybe and same thing. Checked for cracks, couldnt see a thing, fin was A OK. I can't imagine the board cracking near the tail from something like a flat landing. Maybe it was coming from the mast, but it defo sounded that it was coming from the board. Any ideas?? Its an 08 Evo 80l.
Check your fin box i had an 06 evo that got all stress fractures around the fin box and the mast box
With your fin in the box grab it and flex it sideways, sounds like that tiny bit of movement you get when the fin moves against the box. Symptoms seem right too- only does it when loading fin sideways through gybe or powering up sail. One of the waveboards I had made that noise sometimes, can't remember which brand it was.
I agree with mkseven, every time you gybe the fin is loading is changed to the opposite side.
It's not power on power off that makes the crack, it's the fin moving sideways in the box.
Shouldn't be a problem, as long as it's not flexing and fatiguing the bolts, they could eventually snap.
Sounds like the board is stuffed, unserviceable, kangaroo edward, bvggered.
Mas as well give it away Zed. Where do I pick it up from?
So Zed, did you find the fin loose in the box like we predicted?????
Cause I had another nasty thought, what if the box is loose in the board????
Could also make a similar noise, but would need an immediate repair, apart from letting in water, it could drop out of the board the next gybe you go into.
Good question Zed, if the box is loose in the board, you should be able to see it move when the noise happens. I guess it's possible the box is OK on the surface but damaged inside.
How loose is the fin as you enter it into the box, (any sideways movement)?
It probably doesn't have to move very far to make a noise.
You could try a thin shim to take up any slack, that should stop the noise if the box is OK
Is there any sign of cracking in the corners of the box?
after a sail remove the fin, dry the box and leave it in the sun for a short time, if water is getting in the box, that should start it coming back out.
Might not be conclusive proof Nebs, but it is a good idea, if the noise stops you're OK, if it doesn't, who knows?
if it was the actual box moving wouldn't you see cracks or bubbles in the paint on the board?
Totally agree that it would be best to try a different fin first just in case the fin box is dodgy!
Keef,
Correct me if I'm wrong, I was sure that an 08 Evo 80l would have a tuttle box and not a US box?
Mostly done the job on powerbox fins but have also had to do the same with a number of std tuttle box fins as well. Little bit harder to do with tuttle base as the sides of the fin base don't have as much angle as a powerbox base which makes getting the fin out afterwards a bit trickier!
sorry gazman i havent seen the evo's, but if your looking for a good cheep mould release, try plastilease clear from fgi and give it two coats that should give you the same thickness as glad wrap, it's about $10 for 500g, 1/3 the price of other brands. and if your going to use a fin base as a mould dont have it so the fin comes in contact with any area where its bolted to the board, the idea of the fin is too wedge the fin in the box thats why the fin is tapered
I believe the wave & freestyle boards are all US box and yes the remainder of the range are tuttle/deep tuttle.
irregardless of kind of board!
regardless of kind of board!
and tuttle fouls footstrap positions, is heavy and the tail of some boards just isn't thick enough for it.
US box are good when used in the right application. Much better than powerbox as it's harder to loose fins and isn't as heavy. Trimbox would be the only viable competitor on boards where you want the flexibility of fin position but again it's alot heavier and overkill on something that shouldn't be using anything bigger than 30cm fin.
Besides if you were on holidays somewhere remote and you hit a reef would you rather break fin or rip the tail out of board?
Pull the fin out get a torch look inside the box for cracks, get a thick screw driver put it in box and put pressure on like a fin would do and look for cracks opening or movement of the box using the torch.
