Make your own Windsurfing Fin
The parts of a windsurfing board are an important learning point when beginning to windsurf. You should understand the terminology for each major part, as well as, the other general terminology of the sport. Practice this new terminology often and you will be talking like a pro in no time.
The fin on your windsurfing board is the part that will most likely be nicked or chipped during use. There are ways to remedy this problem without the need to replace it or make a new fin. Here you will find some great information on these important issues.
Learning the Components and Terminology
The parts include the board itself and the rig. The front of the windsurf board is called the 'bow' and the back of the board is called the 'stern' or 'back'. The right side of the board is called the 'starboard' side and the left side of the board is called the 'port' side. The fin located on the bottom of the board near the stern (back) is called the 'fin' or 'skeg'.
If you are a beginner, the your windsurf board should include a 'daggerboard' located just behind the center of the windsurf board. A daggerboard is a large fin or blade that can be lowered vertically into the water. This component will help you sail in a straighter line. Some boards have a 'centerboard' fin or blade instead of a daggerboard. A centerboard must be attached to the bottom of the board before you launch and cannot be retracted. A centerboard must be removed after the windsurfing board is returned to the beach. These also help you sail in a straighter line.
Other parts are the 'rig'. The rig includes the 'mast foot' or 'mast base'. This is where the universal joint or 'u-joint' is attached to the windsurf board. This component allows you to turn the sail to steer. The 'mast' attaches into the u-joint assembly. The 'boom' is the horizontal component that loops around the sail and is held with both hands to move the sail.
The 'sail' is a part of the rig. 'Lines' are ropes or a facsimile that are used for rigging the sail and are also parts of a windsurf board. These lines include 'downhaul', 'outhaul', and 'inhaul'. The 'uphaul' line is thicker and is attached to the boom. This line enables you to pull up the rig and sail when on the water.
How to Repair a Chipped Fin
The fin is a highly engineered component of your board. When you damage the fin severely you should replace it with a comparable model. If you simply chip your fin on a rock, it is possible to repair the damage yourself. You should smooth-out the end of your fin with a fine-grid file. Try to shape to tip contour to the original form. Finish the process with fine-grid sandpaper to smooth out the file marks. Losing a small amount of your fin should not affect the overall performance of your windsurf board.
Many more advanced freestyle windsurfers modify the windsurfing board by changing the size of the fin to a much smaller size. This can be done be grinding down the original fin to desired size or by making your own fins. Making your own windsurfing fin is quite an interesting process. If you have a good work area, and have lots of patience, here is a great link with step-by-step instructions.
reference for fin making, good non-commercial link:
http://www.geocities.com/reystos/fin_making/
Research links:
http://www.windsurfing.sailingcourse.com/parts_of_the_boat.htm http://www.geocities.com/reystos/fin_designer/ http://www.ehow.com/how_9456_understand-windsurfing-terminology.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsurfing