Turbo Fin Clew Adjustment

Has anyone had problems with the clew adjustment fitting tearing through the fin? On one of my fins, the whole clew fitting would occasionally pull right out of the fin, leaving the fin free to slide down the mast. When it happened, there was a noticeable change in peddle feel, and I was able to pull the drive and reinstall everything on the water. Loctite seemed to fix that problem. Now, however, the entire adjustment screw below the clew nut has torn through the fin so that the only part of the assembly still contained inside the fin is the little bit between the nut and the main drive. I have a picture, but haven't cracked the code on attaching it yet.

I guess my basic questions are: Is this common? Did this happen because I installed/adjusted the fin incorrectly? I opted for a tighter installation, but not so tight as to compress the rubber or anything.

Here's a picture of the problem. The fin is less than 4 months old, but from day 1 the clew pocket was noticeably larger than the pocket on the other fin, and the trailing edge of the fin is thinner and looser than the other one is.

Do you think this a manufacturing defect, or a result of improper installation?

Is 4 months a typical lifespan for a turbo fin?

I also posted a picture of the good clew for comparison.

Bad:



Good:

I haven't seen a clew screw rip through a fin pocket before, but have had those brass nuts unwind down the screw. I believe Hobie now nicks the tip of the screw to stop the nut if it accidentally gets to the end. Nevertheless, I always use Locktite on the brass nut now if there is any looseness of movement just to maintain the proper clew adjustment.

It's possible that the ripped pocket started as the nut was unthreading while there was little left to contain the screw. Or perhaps it was a manufacturing defect like a hidden air pocket. Have you shown this to your dealer? I believe Hobie parts are warranteed for 1 year, so that may be your best solution. If not, you can nick the end of your screw with a set of dikes and double check the Loctite from time to time.

BTW, you might try loosening that fin so that it is just sitting the "pocket" about 1/8". It will make pedaling much easier and probably speed you up as well.

That looks awful tight up in there. I'm wondering if that didn't cause some stresses not intended for that particular area. I agree with Roadrunner... loosen it up a bit. Give it some action and see if it doesn't feel better. Of course I think you'll be changing that set of fins, or at least one of them. As far as a defect, it's hard to tell. Good luck.

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

Thanks all. I plan to replace that fin, but I'll try loosening it up a bit next time around. I think there may be a little extra play around the top of screw due to the earlier problem with the nut pulling through the top of the fin several times - hard to tell now. Thanks again.

After looking at it a few times and thinking about it, I'm not so sure it matters that it's ripped out. I'd make the adjustment of slacking off a little bit on the top adjustment, giving the fin room to work like it's designed to work. might use some thread locking material seeing as how the nut is outside the fin. Get your spare on hand in case it starts destroying itself. Basically the flopping and cupping motion will still work. Just something to keep your eye on. I ripped through the bottom where the spar or mast ends. Hit some object. I worked it back inside and it's been that way for two years now. I carry a spare. Figured I'd check it's endurance. It's been fine and I don't give it any rest or special attention either.

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

Well, I took it to the dealer and he'd never seen one do this either, but he showed me how to install the fin properly - I did have them too tight on both sides. I've loosened them up and am going to see how long the torn fin lasts. The dealer seemed to think it would probably last a while as is - however, I did get a spare just in case...

If it makes you feel any better, I had the same problem a few of years ago. I talked with a dealer and they said they'd never seen it either. Sometimes special sucks.
I replaced them and have had no problems since. Well, at least not with that issue. Looking a both of the failed fins it does appear that they are a bit tight, but at the time I didn't have a clew. <sorry>

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tight lines,

Wali


"for when sleeping I dream of big fish and strong fights"