I love the Chinook fin boxes and I ust them on all my longboards. I have one thing that puzzles me about the box. I have to use the fin screw with two plates to keep fins from wiggling and to pull tight to the box. Does anyone else have this problem? Thanks
I think the Chinook boxes are made with a vertical fin slot. The boxes from Fin Unlimited, and similar boxes, have a slight taper. The fin tab on most surfboard fins is made with a corresponding taper. If you like the Chinook box, you may have to have fins made specifically for it.
I have found that fin width in the boxes can vary greatly as can some fins boxes. In fact some fin boxes that are from the same type and manufacturer can vary greatly. For fins that are lose I just shim them with mylar(thin plastic sheet materail. You can get a sheet of plastic at any Art or paper store. You should only need to use one fin tab. It surprizes me that more people do not use Chinnok Fins Boxes for longboards. They are of much better construction than other boxes. Anthony http://www.viser.net/~anthwind/
Anthony’s been keeping busy continually updating his great website. Still a fantastic resource… Check it out! http://www.heartsoffire.com/~anthwind/index.shtml
for shimming up a loose fin in the slot, the all-time perfect method uses lengths of simple plastic drinking straws. the ones from mickey d’s are especially wonderful, as they have that fatter cross section. fold the straw as needed under the fin base when you force it into the slot. cut off the protruding ends flush with a razorblade. you can use more than one, front and back if it’s loose for the whole length of the box, and the gap is more or less than a straw’s thickness, then slit the straw lengthwise, flatten it out and use as is or stacked. i doubt you ever have to use multiple pieces, as you’d be amazed how much one (whole) straw tightens it up. usually half thickness is enough. super simple and cheap. look in the floorboard of the car when you’re pulling up to your favorite spot. if your surfmobile is like mine, then there are probably already a few of these very straws lying there with the napkins and crumpled paper sacks. -church