Forums > Kitesurfing Foiling

Hydrofoil Track Fittings

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Created by jackforbes > 9 months ago, 20 Apr 2018
jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
20 Apr 2018 11:43AM
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I have a hydrofoil and board with a plate mount and 4 x M6 screws.

I've got a new board with a track mount - but it seems that the standard for a track mount is M8 screws. Questions for the forum of knowledge...

Can you get M6 thread T-nuts or should I just get M8 and drill out the plate mount to fit?
...and where can you buy them, anywhere local in Perth or online in Aus?

ActionSportsWA
WA, 950 posts
20 Apr 2018 12:21PM
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Hi Jack,

Your probably better off going with the M8's in our opinion they are the industry standard for most company's foil mountings. M6 thread T-Nuts will work but its a 25% reduction in the thickness of the screw, thereby reducing strength. We have both M6 and M8's in store so feel free to drop by and quiz us on anything else Foil related!

Kind Regards,
CL

jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
20 Apr 2018 12:58PM
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Thanks! I'll drop in and have a chat.

airsail
QLD, 1240 posts
20 Apr 2018 6:36PM
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Naish use a M6 Stainless T nut, won't crack like the M8 brass ones sometimes do. Your call to drill out and use the brass ones or stick with the stainless ones. I have used both, haven't had a problem with either.

jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
21 Apr 2018 8:51AM
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Select to expand quote
airsail said..
Naish use a M6 Stainless T nut, won't crack like the M8 brass ones sometimes do. Your call to drill out and use the brass ones or stick with the stainless ones. I have used both, haven't had a problem with either.


THanks airsail. If the nuts are easily available I will probably start with the M6, as I don't have to make any changes to my gear.

djdojo
VIC, 1607 posts
21 Apr 2018 6:52PM
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ebay is amazing for massive ranges of fasteners in 304 and 316 stainless steel.

Livit
WA, 542 posts
23 Apr 2018 11:09PM
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I got away with using M4 for 2 years, hit the bottom heaps and never had any issues. I am now using M6 and obviously it is fine too... M8 is definitely way over kill but easy to get as they are the standard for mast tracks.

The original KF box holds with only ONE M6 screw so don't worry, 4 x M6 will do very well. In fact it is more likely to pull out the whole box out of the board than snapping the 4 screws...

jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
24 Apr 2018 5:51PM
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Select to expand quote
Livit said..
I got away with using M4 for 2 years, hit the bottom heaps and never had any issues. I am now using M6 and obviously it is fine too... M8 is definitely way over kill but easy to get as they are the standard for mast tracks.

The original KF box holds with only ONE M6 screw so don't worry, 4 x M6 will do very well. In fact it is more likely to pull out the whole box out of the board than snapping the 4 screws...


I would probably rather the screws snapped then ripping the board apart anyway...! The M6's certainly work fine with my existing Nobile setup, the only thought I have is if I have to shim it I don't know how they go length wise. But I assume it is still quite a short length.

weebitbreezy
617 posts
26 Apr 2018 7:29PM
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You can cut bolts down if they are too long. Have done this for my new foil (took off about 12mm). The first one is a bit of a pain as you end up making several cuts just to get them millimetre perfect but you can get maximum thread into the insert that way.

jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
7 May 2018 2:27PM
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Follow up question on the track mounts - can you get a blank to put in the track? The board is designed to be a standard kiteboard with the option of a foil, and I'd like to be able to blank off the tracks when I don't have the foil on. I am sure i've seen these on windsurfing boards but maybe I dreamt it.

ludbey
TAS, 85 posts
7 May 2018 5:41PM
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Yeah good question Jack, I am having a board built as an alround travel option and I wasn't going to use tracks because of the effect they might have when not foiling,but with an insert they should be fine.

Livit
WA, 542 posts
7 May 2018 5:57PM
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Select to expand quote
jackforbes said..
Follow up question on the track mounts - can you get a blank to put in the track? The board is designed to be a standard kiteboard with the option of a foil, and I'd like to be able to blank off the tracks when I don't have the foil on. I am sure i've seen these on windsurfing boards but maybe I dreamt it.


Maybe some information there:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Surfing/Longboarding/Fins--Foil-and-Fin-boxes-a-technical-question?page=1

Is this what you are referring to?

jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
8 May 2018 9:25AM
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Select to expand quote
Livit said..

jackforbes said..
Follow up question on the track mounts - can you get a blank to put in the track? The board is designed to be a standard kiteboard with the option of a foil, and I'd like to be able to blank off the tracks when I don't have the foil on. I am sure i've seen these on windsurfing boards but maybe I dreamt it.



Maybe some information there:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Surfing/Longboarding/Fins--Foil-and-Fin-boxes-a-technical-question?page=1

Is this what you are referring to?



Hey Livit, cheers, a similar kind of conversation - the plastic chopping board might be the go!

It doesnt seem like this would be a big issue for surfing, but with a kiteboard I kind of feel that it is going to cavitate at the higher speeds. Here's the board to give an idea...




mikesids
131 posts
8 May 2018 11:34AM
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Hi,
Try here or the K4 site in the UK :
www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/product/k4-fins-us-box-blanker#surf-sail-clothing-hardware

Cheers

jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
8 May 2018 9:25PM
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Select to expand quote
mikesids said..
Hi,
Try here or the K4 site in the UK :
www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/product/k4-fins-us-box-blanker#surf-sail-clothing-hardware

Cheers


That's what I had in mind, thanks!

jackforbes
WA, 530 posts
19 May 2018 8:27PM
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IKEA chopping board worked a treat







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"Hydrofoil Track Fittings" started by jackforbes