A simple attemt for (preventive) strengthening the fin head of Select slalom/race fins.

 

 

This attempt to prevent avoid the Select fins to show signs of delamination between fin "shaft" and fin head after just a few hours of sailing is solely founded on guessing. No experiences as to the durability of the "method" have been harvested yet (but I've got at least some expectations). I'll let you know when the results are fairly certain.

 

3 holes were drilled in each fin head about ½ cm from the edge (towards the blade). The first hole were positioned approx. aligned to the leading edge of the fin, and the other two holes were placed relatively forward in the head (where the the fin is supposedly loaded the most). The material used for strengthening the fin heads were some battens cut into pieces. 

 

 

1.

 

The 3 holes have been drilled in each fin head, and the batten pieces has been knocked into the holes with some glass weave and epoxy resin.

 

Click the picture to enlarge.

 

 

3.

 

After proper hardening the surplus of material (batten and glassfiber) has been filed/sanded away from both sides of the fin head.

 

Click the picture to enlarge.