Some advice regarding EXOCET TB upwindkit

[Koen B-12]

Hi,

here is some advice if you don't want to loose the exo TB upwind kit , like almost happend to me yesterday when I used it for the first time.

A tuttle box is conical on the front and rear box side. It is this conicity that is blocking the fin in height and preventing that the fin can go to deep.

When installing the upwindkit, you basicly mount the finbox 9mm higher in the box. This means that there is no support from the front and the rear conical box side of the board. The only thing preventing your fin going to deep is the conical F/R side of the upwind carbonplate, but instead of having a contact depth of 4 cm, it is only 0.9cm.
The conical step is on this short distance is also much smaller.

Technicaly this works if you have a perfect fit between the upper 9mm of the finbox and the upwindkit.

BUT, if you have already sanded the finbasebox a little for optimal fit in another box, you should take care. (test this also on new fin's since there can be some variation from box to box).

TO TEST, after full assembly of upwind kit and fin in the board, hit the fin from te front or the rear as if you where hitting something (sand, fish,....) and CHECK IF YOU CAN GET THE FIN GOING DEEPER IN THE BOX THEN NORMALY INTENDED.
The big risk is that if your fin goes deeper, that the upwind kit will slide slowly over the finbox and that you'll loose it.
You can also monitor the finscrews when sailing, because when the fin is slipping deeper in the box, you will see the screw comming up on the other side.

I'm looking into some solutions right now to prevent that the fin moves deeper in the box.

Making contact with between the surfboardbox F/R conicalsides and the finbase is looking the best solution, this can be done by putting some material in between the box and finbase, but you have to make it so that you can remove it again if you want to use the board without up-wind kit.

Another solution is also simple: screw a screw in the upper flat surface of the finbase and adjust it in length by screwing until you have contact between the screwhead and the bottom of the boardbox (this is actualy the decklaminate).

all the best,

[John I]

Best solution yet, just use a bigger fin. I've used the kit. It's okay, but a bigger fin is better, sorry EXO.

Maybe the fins should be shimmed? The best application for the kit might be when weeds are too thick to burn off: being able to use a weed fin. Other than that, just use 5-8 cm more fin. The hyperbole works great, and its there, so use it.

[Jean]

John,

how big fin would you use under the TB 65 without upwindkit with 6-7.5m² sail?

I like the performance of TB 65 with upwindkit and the 38 cm fin, but I can try once what you propose.

[John I]

Try a 42-46cm, like the Select Super Fast. The idea is to keep a minimally raked fin in this board, as the hyperbole when its lit up and working best, drives the nose down already. I really like the 44cm Select, but don't run out and buy one if you already have something close. The ride on this design is smooth and comfortable. It eats up chop and has a uniquely slippery glide through the jibes.

[Koen B-12]

Hi, I solved the problem of the fin position with upwind kit.
It is quiet simple, all you need is a little piece of a batten tube.
For TB65, cut them at 3.7cm (for select finboxes).
Put them on as seen on the picture and tighten the screws.
If the fin is still to high after full tightening, grind some material away from the tubes until you have a perfect fit.

[Koen B-12]

the tubes

[Koen B-12]

mount them with the bottom of the board facing up, slide the tubes over the bolts and hold them

[Koen B-12]

tighten the screws

[Koen B-12]

This picture shows what happens: the laminate of the deck is squeezed between the boldhead and the tubes. the fin can't slide downwards anymore.