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Hey Dave here with Makospearguns. Today I'd like to show you how to upgrade the blades
on your fins with removable foot pockets. It's a straight forward process but there
a couple tricks I want to share with you.
We'll start off with the MAKO Competition Freediver Composite fin and we'll upgrade
it to Fiberglass Blades in this video.
You'll need some tools including a flat blade and phillips screwdriver, the inserts provided
with your new blades, a drill bit, pliers, food grade silicon, and your drill.
ok, The first step is removing the existing blade from the foot pocket. To do this we'll
remove the two screws from the base plate on the bottom of the fin.
Now we'll flip the blade over and using our flat blade screwdriver, pop out the top plate.
Next we'll remove the two retaining C clips at the ends of the foot pocket arms.
Using your flat blade screwdriver we'll pry the foot pocket arms off the fin blade. Once
the arms are partially removed we can easily grab the arms and remove them the rest of
the way by hand.
Now pull the blade from the foot pocket.
We're now ready to begin installing the new blade.
Begin with your foot pocket upside down and slide the new blade into the slot in the foot
pocket.
Make certain the blade is all the way in!
Next we'll spray a liberal amount of silicon onto the fin rail to ease installation of
the foot pocket arms.
By bending the foot pocket arm back the we'll increase the size of the opening in the arm
allowing the arm to easily slip over the fin rail. The trick here is using a back and forth
wiggle action to work the arm over the fin rail.
Another tip: When you get to the last 3 or 4 inches, slip your flat blade screwdriver
into the foot pocket arm and use it as a lever to continue the back and forth wiggle action
to complete the arm installation.
Now repeat the process for the other side.
Next we're going to drill the blade, but first, make certain the blade is seated correctly
in the foot pocket. If your foot pocket arms end right at the transition point of the fin
rail and fin edge stabilizer, you're good to go. If not, adjust the blade into the foot
pocket until you have a perfect alignment.
Using your pliers, push the drill guide inserts into the holes in the foot pocket, ensuring
they are all the way in. Using the guides ensures perfect alignment of the foot pocket
and blade holes.
Now drill the two holes and then remove the guides.
Next reinstall the top plate and then flip the fin over.
Set the bottom plate over the holes orienting it so the thicker side of the plate faces
the end of the blades and the thinner side faces the foot pocket. Then screw the plate
on being sure not to over tighten the screws. And note you may need to hold the hold the
top plate in from the underside so it doesn't push out of it's cavity while you're screwing
the bottom plate in.
Now we'll install the C clips on the ends of the foot pocket arms.
And note that the clips are tapered - they will only install correctly in one direction.
Start the clip at one end and with a smooth pushing action, snap the clip over the arm.
Installed correctly it will fit snug on the foot pocket arm.
And thats it. Now repeat the procedure for the other fin and your ready for your next
dive.