Vaal Level - 2010-09-06 = 25 cumecs

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News (print)

Installing fins on your Fluid Element

2009-01-07

Installing Your Element Surf Kayaks Fins.
Most folks think that because the Element has such pronounced rails and edges that they don’t need fins. An Element is a high performance kayak, much like a high performance automobile. Say you buy a Mustang with more horsepower than your in-laws horse farm. Are you going to get the best performance tires you can afford so that you can fully enjoy the mind-boggling performance of your Mustang; or are you going to drive standard tires and never get the chance to really feel them horses kicking in? Now with the Element it’s the same. The Element has amazing performance just the way it is, but with no fins it’s the same as driving with standard rubber. You will feel that the kayak has amazing speed, release for air, carve-ability and all the rest. But to really fully harness all the amazing design effects of this performance kayak - GET FINS. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.

So here follows a little step-by-step description of how to install your fins and then; go and get wet.

Your styling Element has 4 holes on the hull of the kayak.

2. FIN INSTALLATION PACK CONTENTS

Your fin installation pack will have the following items; seen in picture below.

4 fin round fin seating blocks (blue plastic round things, with pre-installed fin securing screws)
4 fins: 2 left and 2 right
8 loose Allen key bolts for securing the fin seating blocks
1 Allen key tool

3. INITIAL PLACEMENT OF SEATING BLOCKS

First place all fin blocks in the holes on the hull of the kayak. Do not tighten anything yet.

4. LIGHTLY TIGHTENING THE SEATING BLOCKS IN

The next step is to tighten the Allen key bolts so that they are biting into their holes but do not tighten them completely.

5. ADJUSTING THE FIN ANGLE TO FOLLOW RAIL.

Once you have lightly secured all fin seating blocks use the fins to make sure that you have the correct angles going before fully tightening the seating blocks. When adjusting the angles remember that the folks who designed the fins and the kayak are smart. They put a lot of thinking into the toys you are fiddling with. First think of what you want to achieve on the water before adjusting the fins.

The more parallel to the rails your fins are the faster you will go; but the wider your carve radius will be. The more the fins are angled inwards the tighter your carve radius will be; but you will also be a bit slower. Compared to a parallel setting. For the maximum carve effect you need to angle your fins slightly inward (away from rails). Aiming more towards the centerline of the kayak. For max speed you want to adjust the fins so that they are aiming for the front rail of the kayak, or - you want to try and keep the fins as close to parallel as possible with the rails. (As in the pictures)

6. TIGHTENING THE SEATING BLOCKS FINAL

Now that you have the angles sorted out. You can tighten the seating blocks completely.

7. SECURING THE FINS WITH THE PRE-INSTALLED SCREWS

Once you have tightened the seating blocks firmly you can then tighten the pre-installed screws to secure the fins.

8. FINISHED FINS.

Your finished fins (speed setting) should look like the picture. Note how the inside and outside fins are aiming in the same direction. It is important that you try and keep your fins as parallel to each other. Meaning if you want to carve the fins should be adjusted inwards at similar angles. The same applies for a speed setting, except you will be lining the fins up with the rails. Your next step is to take your Element and catch a wave, slightly edge on take off, feel the fins engage and shout “Yeah baby” as you change edges and throw down bigger than ever before.

This helpful little guide was brought to you by Deon from the Hunters Xtreme team and proud partner of Swingball Ninjas™

- WWT

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