2022 red paddle co racing paddle boards - 2022 range of inflatable race SUP paddle board

Installing your Starboard Astro inflatable SUP fins

The Starboard Astro inflatable paddle boards all feature removable fins in various combinations. All boards feature a removable center fin, while some Zen models also feature fixed side bite fins (thruster or 3 fin arrangement) and some Deluxe models feature removable side bit fins (again in a thruster or 3 fin arrangement). Usually, the Touring boards utilise a single fin arrangement and the all round or river boards feature the multiple fin arrangement.

But how do you insert these fins? Thankfully, Starboard are now using standard US box and FCS box style fins which makes not only the insertion and removal process very easy, it allows paddlers to easily upgrade their fin choice knowing their fin box is a surf industry standard. Let’s watch the video below and figure out how to get these fins in and us on the water sooner!

Starboard Astro Inflatable Fin Installation

Start by having a Tiki tool, a Tiki fin key, a center fin and side fins ready.

For the first step you will need the center fin, screw, but you won’t need a nut as the nut is built into the Starboard Astro board. Place the pin side of the fin into the fin box, slide the rest of the fin into the box and then insert the screw so that it is aligned with the nut and then fasten with the Tiki tool. 

When inserting the side fins, face the blank side of the fin inwards and fit the fin into the side fin box. Then start to tighten with the Tiki fin key making sure both screws are tight.

Repeat the same process for the other side. 

There you have it, easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Top tip from Green Water Sports, and Starboard, never over tighten the fin screws, always just tighten to firm.

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About the author: Julian Kidd
I have been an avid stand up paddle boarder since 2009. I retired from a decade of professional kiteboarding to focus on SUP. Green Water Sports grew from this love of all things SUP. As well as being a keen paddle boarder, I'm a football fan, closet petrol head, web tinkerer, husband and father.