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Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

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Nielshm
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Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby Nielshm » Sun May 25, 2014 7:38 am

During a nosedive following the classic crashbomb i discovered that my front wing had pulled 3 the plugs clear out of the foil mast.....see Photos.
Havent pondered too much onhow this could hav happened but more dedicated in getting it back to flying mode.
I want to secure the 3 screws better and havre also decided to fix the wing permanently (and accepting it wong be transported by plane)
Any advice on how to do this?
Im obliged to simply drill through the bulb part and fix a longer screw with a nut on the other side but worry that I might reduce the strength.
Would be happy for some good advice. Thanks!
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The 3 plugs ripped out
IMG_0435.JPG
Side view of the bulb profil

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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby Hawaiis » Sun May 25, 2014 8:09 am

It looks like the metal inserts got pulled out, I have seen this happened on the MHL, you need to clean out the holes and epoxy new inserts. Did you retrieve your wing? I use EZ Lok insets.
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wdric
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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby wdric » Sun May 25, 2014 8:57 am

That looks like a Spotz?
How old is it?
Have you contacted the manufacturer for their advice, you might be surprised, they know it better than anyone else and may have the best advice ;)

Did you hit anything for this to happen?

Lucky you didn't loose the wing completely

Nielshm
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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby Nielshm » Sun May 25, 2014 2:26 pm

It's a Spotz, yes. Only had a minor grounding during a water start. As soon as I heard the grounding sound I tilted the board and stopped. Checked the wing and it seemed that all was ok. Started off again and took off. Did a nosedive and ripped the wing off....
Conclusion; keep the foil away from ALL ground and treat it with care!
Look like the EZ lock is the tool. Thanks! I will also drill a second bolt (only 4 mm) and secure. Possibly even also saw a groove in the front tip of both wing and bulb and Epoxy a stringer in both. For me it's about just getting enough strength without compromising the general structure

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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby cglazier » Sun May 25, 2014 3:27 pm

For the record, I have hit coral heads and sandy bottom several times with my Spotz foil and it is holding up fine except for some scratches. I am amazed at how strong carbon it.

:wink: CG

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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby Hawaiis » Sun May 25, 2014 5:48 pm

You are lucky to have it come off in the shallow water, the MHL front wing was lost and never found.

Nielshm
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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby Nielshm » Mon May 26, 2014 8:01 am

The wing got pulled of during full foiling nosedive and is now resting on 20 m.... The top dog in the Danish Spotz community had pity in me and sold me his spare.... :wink:
The plugs that got ripped out are simple hexagon shape, indicating it is nuts and not plugs. Still pondering on if I should reinstall nuts, as the go directly into the holes or start drilling to fit a circular EZ-plug...

I repeat, keep it FAR away from ground. When near land I treat it like baby Crystal. On the water rip it like it should :thumb:

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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby Hawaiis » Mon May 26, 2014 8:48 am

If they just put a hex nut, there is no bite to hold it in the carbon. The MHL's insert was stripped, the bolts came off stripping the threads in the nuts. It was less than one year old.

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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby Arcsrule » Mon May 26, 2014 12:07 pm

another on my list not to buy. Does Spotz not have a warranty?

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Re: Lost my front wing - how to reinstall

Postby james » Mon May 26, 2014 12:24 pm

So you won't buy a foil because someone broke the front wing off by their own admission...

Maybe spotz will investigate and it will get sorted that's between the customer and spotz I guess?

He can't be that pissed as he just bought a second one from his mate

And no they probably don't have a three year warranty or what ever crap your clinging too but they do have product, that works, that wins, that's being used by paying customers

Stick with your vapourware the season should be over by the time it arrives...


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