Are there fin boxes that take tabbed fins (4wfs, FCS etc.)?

General Discussion
1

I’m finishing a 7’ kneeboard thruster.

OK, I know you said “Whoa! You bin crazy, man!”

Trust me, I have a vague idea what I’m doing, but it is a case of suck and see with this model.

Anyway,  I’m not too concerned about side fin placement because I’m using 4WFS which means I can adjust toe to overcome the worst aspects of poor placement (I hope!).

I would like the option of messing about with the rear fin but continuing to use the matched (tabbed) foils from 4WFS (I really like 'em).  Basically I know that I will be able to get the board to pivot by shrinking the fin triangle and I might want to play with this as a way of faking real turns in smaller waves :slight_smile:

So, are there short boxes with a row of set screws that will take a tabbed fin and let me move the fin forward/back an inch or two?

 

2

ProBox Fins Systems boxes allow for 1/2" adjustment fore and aft and are compatible with FCS tabbed fins. I haven’t heard anything about the compatibility of 4WFS, but it seems there might be a chance to adjust the fin tab to the front or back grub screw, assuming the tab is the right width–1/4"(?). Here’s a link to their website–it might be just the thing you’re looking for:

http://www.proboxhawaii.com/index.html

Hope this helps, let us know how it turns out!

3

I dont think theres a large pool  outside of Aus. or even within that will have the cross exp. with 4wfs and tinkering, but if they are tabbed the same as the rest,

and not thinner than a fcs tab(fcs tab same width as probox), then a probox finbox would be the solution.

 

There is enough real estate on the probox to tap in further screw set positions to match you tab and where it might move.

The slot is a tad over 3 1/4" on a standard probox center, if your tab is 1 1/4", then a single tabbed fin would get 2" of adjustment.

Since its a single tab, you might want to double down on the screws it if that seems appropriate –  3-4 screws holding down less surface area but same torque and pressures.

These are relatively cheap to purchase.

 Also look at their longboard offerings for center fins, I’m sure these

are longer. None of these suggestions add up to any serious money. Shortboard boxes are $5 here in the states, but that can vary.

 

 

For an FCS fin in a center probox, if you want more adj to the fore, then you can extend the normal range of 1/2" to get about 1" by  new set screws  predominantly and grinding the front edge of the fcs tab a bit

. A bit less range if you dont grind the tab a tad. It depends on how much adjustment your looking for.

 

Probox Mods & Adjustments

http://www2.swaylocks.com/node/1029396

4

Thanks, guys.  That’s good info.  The 1/2" travel will pribablt open up to 1" with the single tab in 4WFS foils.

I’ll set about getting a few proboxes ordered.

I do have an aluminium template that I used to use to hold FCS fins in a regular fin box.  I drilled a hole through each tab and used a pin to hold the fin in the aluminium template.  The template had a conventional round bar/screw plate allowing it to slide in the fin box and be screwed in place.  Nice feature was that it could be reversed for more fin travel.

I’ll dig it out and post a pic.

5

FCS make an adapter that fits into the regular fin box you see in mals. So you can put your FCS fins in the adapter then stick it into the box. platty

http://www.surffcs.com/en/products/hardware-and-accessories/accessories/longboardboxadapter.aspx

6

Thanks Platty,

Looks just like the aluminium one described above that I’ve used for 10 years.  Again the words ring through the surf industry “waah, it was my idea first!!!”  Probably more likely convergence of ideas.