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Hydrofoiling hardware tip: swap your existing foil bolts for Torx head types.
As foilers we don’t really give too much thought to our hardware. The supplied bolts are deemed worthy – after all, this is what they’ve come with and the brand knows best, right?
Unfortunately bolts are extremely susceptible to damage. Saltwater corrosion as well as stripped threads, rounded heads and sometimes foil bolts completely snapping (we’ve experienced all this).
One of the most frustrating elements of foil bolts is rounding the heads off, specifically socket head bolts that you use an allen key to tighten and loosen. For various reasons after multiple uses of unscrewing and redoing the heads can wear down and round off. If you’ve overtightened your bolts and the head’s suddenly not usable then this is an issue.
Swapping to marine or aero grade Torx bolts is one solution. As long as you get the sizing correct then Torx head bolts are much more efficient. Their star shaped head, with pilot button, ensure accuracy during tightening and lossening. Applyimg Teflon tape and gel, as you would with every other type of hydrofoil bolt, should then halt corrosion.
Ultimately, Torx head bolts are more efficient. Some foil brands supply their gear with them as standard (such as Axis Foils – see windfoiling pic below).
Note: it’s worth mentioning that if you do swap your foil bolts to Torx types, and your foil fails (for whatever reason) the brand may void your warranty claim. We’d suggest swapping to Torx (or similar) is still worthwhile but you do need to keep in mind what’d happen with breakages.
Let us know if you have any questions or foiling tips of your own.
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