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There are six screws holding each fin on the bottom of the boat. You need a good #3 Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws.
Remove the six screws. The fin may fall off, it may be stuck in the sealer used to well, seal the fin and screw holes. If it is stuck, kick it sideways.
Clean the old adhesive off the boat, in the fin pocket. Carefully scrape, pull, pick however you want. Clean the traces of remaining adhesive with paint thinner, lacquer thinner, or something similar. Wear protective gloves when using the solvents, safety glasses too.
I use "Boat Life Life Caulk" for the new fin. Put a bead around each screw hole, and a bead or two on the base of the fin. Not a lot, just enough to fill the voids. You do not want the fin sitting on a thick layer of caulk, just a thin film.
Put a little caulk on the screws, and put them back in. Turn then screws backwards until you feel them find the old threads they were in. Do not tighten any of the screws, until all of then are in, then tighten then evenly, and securely. If a lot of caulk squishes out from under the base of the fin, make a smooth transition from the fin to the gelcoat on the base of the boat. If you need to add a little caulk, to make the smooth transition, do that. when you are done, check the screws for tightness again.
Life Caulk can be gotten wet immediately. It would be better to wait a day, if you can.
Keep a roll of paper towels handy. The caulk is messy.
Remove the six screws. The fin may fall off, it may be stuck in the sealer used to well, seal the fin and screw holes. If it is stuck, kick it sideways.
Clean the old adhesive off the boat, in the fin pocket. Carefully scrape, pull, pick however you want. Clean the traces of remaining adhesive with paint thinner, lacquer thinner, or something similar. Wear protective gloves when using the solvents, safety glasses too.
I use "Boat Life Life Caulk" for the new fin. Put a bead around each screw hole, and a bead or two on the base of the fin. Not a lot, just enough to fill the voids. You do not want the fin sitting on a thick layer of caulk, just a thin film.
Put a little caulk on the screws, and put them back in. Turn then screws backwards until you feel them find the old threads they were in. Do not tighten any of the screws, until all of then are in, then tighten then evenly, and securely. If a lot of caulk squishes out from under the base of the fin, make a smooth transition from the fin to the gelcoat on the base of the boat. If you need to add a little caulk, to make the smooth transition, do that. when you are done, check the screws for tightness again.
Life Caulk can be gotten wet immediately. It would be better to wait a day, if you can.
Keep a roll of paper towels handy. The caulk is messy.
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