Properly tighten your GONG fuselage

The right steps for securing this self-tightening connection.

To achieve a perfectly seated assembly, tighten the screws in a specific sequence to secure the fuselage to the base of your mast. The tapered mast base gradually seats inside the fuselage socket, ensuring a play-free fit.

While riding, the forces on the foil reinforce this fit: the more you ride, the tighter the fuselage grips the mast base. This is the principle behind this self-tightening connection.

Follow the sequence below 👇

To install your fuselage:

Use a new tool that matches the screw heads. This allows you to tighten them firmly without damaging the heads.
Tighten the rear screw, then the centre screw, then the front screw. Repeat this sequence to seat the connection securely.
Rest the mast plate on a protective bag, then gently tap the fuselage with a soft-faced mallet, about a third of the way back from its front end, to fully seat the connection.
Tighten the screws again in the same order: rear, centre, front.
Mount the foil on the board: you’re ready to ride!

Carry a small wrench with you to check the screws and retighten them if necessary. When the assembly has been fitted correctly, this should normally be unnecessary.

The tapered connection can remain securely seated even if a screw loosens slightly: this does not automatically result in play or a loss of stiffness. Nevertheless, all three screws must be properly tightened during assembly.

Why does the fuselage stay in place after the screws have been removed?

After a session, it is normal for the fuselage to remain attached to the mast even after all three screws have been removed: the tapered mast base is still firmly seated in its socket.

To release it, turn the board upside down onto a protective bag and leave the wings attached to the fuselage. Hold the front of the fuselage with one hand, then use the other to give the underside of the stabilizer shaft a short, sharp tap, as shown in our disassembly tutorial. Keep a firm hold on the assembly as it comes free, and leave the wing covers on for protection.