Most folks think that because the Element has such pronounced rails and edges that they don’t need
fins. An Element is a high performance kayak, much like a high performance automobile. Say you buy a Mustang with more horsepower
than your in-laws horse farm. Are you going to get the best performance tires you can afford so that you can fully enjoy the
mind-boggling performance of your Mustang; or are you going to drive standard tires and never get the chance to really feel
them horses kicking in? Now with the Element it’s the same. The Element has amazing performance just the way it is,
but with no fins it’s the same as driving with standard rubber. You will feel that the kayak has amazing speed, release
for air, carve-ability and all the rest. But to really fully harness all the amazing design effects of this performance kayak
- GET FINS. You will be amazed at the difference it makes. So here follows a little step-by-step description of how to install
your fins and then; go and get wet.
1. Your styling Element has 4 holes on the hull of the kayak
2. Fin Installation Pack Contents
Your fin installation pack will have the following items; seen in picture below.
• 4 fin round fin seating blocks
(blue plastic round things, with pre-installed fin securing screws)
• 4 fins: 2 left and 2 right
•
8 loose Allen key bolts for securing the fin seating blocks
• 1 Allen key tool
3.
Initial Placement of Seating Blocks
First place all fin blocks in the holes on the hull of the kayak. Do not tighten anything yet.
4.
Lightly Tightening the Seating Blocks In
The next step is to tighten the Allen key bolts so that they are biting into their holes but do not tighten them completely.
5. Adjusting the Fin Angle to Follow Rail
6. Tightening the Seating Blocks Final
Now that you have the angles sorted out. You can tighten the seating blocks completely.
7.
Securing the Fins with the Pre-Installed Screws
Once you have tightened the seating blocks firmly you can then tighten the pre-installed screws to secure the fins.
8. Finished Fins
Your finished fins (speed setting) should look like the picture. Note how the inside and outside
fins are aiming in the same direction. It is important that you try and keep your fins as parallel to each other. Meaning
if you want to carve the fins should be adjusted inwards at similar angles. The same applies for a speed setting, except you
will be lining the fins up with the rails. Your next step is to take your Element and catch a wave, slightly edge on take
off, feel the fins engage and shout “Yeah baby” as you change edges and throw down bigger than ever before.
This helpful little guide was brought
to you by Deon from the Hunters Xtreme team and proud partner of Swingball Ninjas™
WakaWai strives for customer service excellence. We feel that is one area that is lacking in the paddlesports
industry because everyone is to busy discussing their egos. Without further ado, I will let the email speak for itself....
Dear Michael,
I just
wanted to say what an extreme pleasure it's been dealing with your company, and you personally.
I just picked up my Fluid Nemesis kayak that you had shipped, with great care, to Ottawa.
After just a 30 minute demo I know I'll be thrilled in it for quite some time.
The service that you provided really needs mentioning -- talk about exceeding customer expectations! I contacted
three other Fluid dealers and only got a reply from one of them, just to say they no longer carried the boats. When I got
in touch with you, it was within hours (not days) that I got a response. You gave me shipping options and found a way to
get the boat to my city at a very reasonable cost. During the whole process of securing the boat, it seemed to me that
you didn't even sleep as you responded to every enquiry within minutes!
You
even helped me out when I was held up at this end with Canada Customs (paper-pushers to be sure, but you got me the right
papers). Just an unbelievable example of tremendous service. I wish more companies, and people working with them, had
the same commitment to the customer that you so obviously do.
In short, it's
been an absolute pleasure buying from you and I'll certainly look to your company for any future paddling needs. Fluid
is very lucky to have you and your company representing their boats in North America.
My very best regards,
Mark Tandan
Coordinator, Algonquin College Sommelier Program Ottawa, Ontario
If you want to experience
customer service at the highest level possible, visit us at WakaWai.com
