Mounting the Fins

Guide

Difficulty: Beginner Time: ~15 min Applies to: All boards Last updated: Sep 2026

Watch the walkthrough

Watch on YouTube ↗ · JETSURF USA — new owner series #3. Timestamps below follow the video's on-screen counter (0:20–4:17).

A new board ships with the fins packed in the toolkit. There are three: one main FCS fin and two side fins. Fit the main fin plate first, then the fins clip into the FCS boxes. Best done with the board upside down on a stand.

Tools & parts

4 mm screwdriver (from the toolkit)
Main fin plate (from the toolkit)
Main FCS fin + two side fins
Board stand
The fin bag (useful for pushing stiff fins home)

Get set up

0:20 — Lay the toolkit flat in the middle of the board, unzip it, and take out the fins, the main fin plate, and the 4 mm screwdriver.
1:08 — Put the board upside down on a stand. Working underside-up keeps the screws from dropping — on a sandy beach a dropped screw is a lost screw.
1:23 — Remove the fin-plate protector if it's fitted. (Keep it — it goes back on for travel and bag storage.)

Fit the main fin plate

1:38 — Undo the four screws in the main fin plate.
2:04 — Set the plate into its location on the board.
2:12 — Start all four screws back in by hand.
2:31 — Tighten with the hand screwdriver, not an electric one — an electric driver cross-threads the bolts. Nip them up just tight enough that they can't back out; they don't need to be cranked down.

Fit the main fin

2:38 — It's an FCS fin: slot the front into the groove, hold the back of the board, and press until it clicks in.
2:55 — Drive the screw at the back to lock the fin in place.

Fit the side fins

3:02 — The side fins are handed — one left, one right. Match each to its side.
3:09 — Push each fin into its FCS fin box.
3:18 — They're a stiff fit (that's what keeps them from falling out). Use the fin bag to press them fully home if needed.

Removing the fins

3:42 — Reverse the process. The trailing edge of a fin can be sharp — hold it with a towel or a bit of foam, hold the board, and pop it out.
4:09 — For the main fin, back out the rear screw first, then pull it.
4:17 — Leave the fin plate on unless you're travelling — it can stay fitted between rides.

Tip: the side fins being stiff is normal and intentional — don't file or force them. The fin bag makes a good pusher, and the trailing edge is the sharp part, so grip the fin at the base.

Caution: hand-tighten the fin-plate screws only — an electric driver cross-threads them. Don't over-torque; snug is enough. Check all screws and that every fin has clicked fully in before you ride.

Mounting the fins