Bent Fins

[jwanck11]

I looked under the boat we just bought and the first two fins are bent pretty good. It does not seem to affect the handling or the ride... but:

Am wondering if they can be straightened or if I need to replace them? I am not even sure where to look to buy new ones - any ideas??

It is the back two fins - they at about an 80 degree angle. I looked under the engine and it looks like they are bolted through the hull but man, I have no idea how I would be able to get at the bolts!

It is a REALLY bad idea to try a 3lb hammer to straighten them out?

[Bandsecurity]

I bent mine and was able to take it to a prop repair shop and they straightened them for about $250.

[jwanck11]

Thanks. Do they really have to be straightened? They dont seem to be affecting the handling or performance of the boat.

[da.bell]

Did you purchase a new boat or a used boat?

IMO, I would have them fixed if you can afford it now but definitely later when you do have money.

[chpthril]

I've heard they are fixable if not bent to bad. May even be able to straighten them on the boat with a port-a-power or pipe wrench and a cheater pipe.

[Fit to be Tige]

I bought the boat with a seriously bent (like it was bent to 90 degrees) front fin last July. Rather than mess with it and take any water time away I waited until the Fall to fix it. Perhaps the only time I noticed was racing down the river at 40 mph. I definitely could not tell at wakeboarding speed.

We went ahead and replaced it. The previous owner was replacing it for me, of course an awesome Tige owner - he bought a new Tige, but I think I would have replaced it anyway, just to do it right. The very front edge of the fin was cracked or pealing, so even if it could've been bent back, replacement was the right thing to do.

[jwanck11]

Thanks for the input. We just bought the boat used.

I am going to try to do a bend (gingerly) first before taking it anywhere. They are bent, but not horribly so. Thanks for the pipe wrench idea - that is what I will try. I just do not want to mess up the hull!!!

[da.bell]

Post some pictures of the fin before and after the fix. I am a little interested in how bent it really is. Thanks.

[jwanck11]

K, will do.

I am headed there on Wednesday night. Will take picts before putting her in the H2O for the weekend.

Stereo install will probably happen next week after completing the 2nd DC battery upgrade.

[illiniboarder88]

I'm curious, how does one bend a fin that bad without doing any structural damage to the boat? Those suckers must be anchored well if you can hit something solid enough to bend metal but not have the bolts let loose in whatever they are sunk into. would heating up the fins be an option, or is that dangerous to do that close to your fiberglass/gell?

[Fit to be Tige]

Illini - in our case, the boat was put on a lift in the wrong position. When the lift went upthe weight of the boat bent the fin, so there wasn't really any force on the hull. And you are correct on how tightly they are anchored to the hull... with the one in front being bolted to the ski pylon as well.

[illiniboarder88]

makes sense. I was a little nervous putting mine on the lift for the first time. Took a little messing with it to get it positioned right. Nothing like floating in 55-60 degree water with a mask and snorkle for half an hour or so while making minor adjustments to the lift. Fortunately for me, I was able to position my lift so the bow hits the dock at a place where the fins can't be sitting on the planks. now, shaft is a different story. I am goign to manufacture something to make it so I can't lift against the shaft next.

[dogbert]

makes sense. I was a little nervous putting mine on the lift for the first time. Took a little messing with it to get it positioned right. Nothing like floating in 55-60 degree water with a mask and snorkle for half an hour or so while making minor adjustments to the lift. Fortunately for me, I was able to position my lift so the bow hits the dock at a place where the fins can't be sitting on the planks. now, shaft is a different story. I am goign to manufacture something to make it so I can't lift against the shaft next.

Unless you have really high bunks, it may be a waste of time. I've learned to get my boat lined up, but shut it down and walk it onto the lift. Same thing when I launch from the lift. I push it out and as I'm floating clear, I put it in gear.