Choosing a fin system

General Discussion
1

I’m ready to start using fin boxes on my boards.  I’ve shaped 10 boards so far and all have had glass ons.  I’ve looked on the archives and read about the three different systems I’m considering but having read anything that will help me definitively choose.  I’m deciding between futures, probox, and FCS.

My first choice was Futures.  All the fins I have are Future fins and that is what my sons ride on all their boards, but from what I’ve read they appear to be the most difficult to install (the glassing step).  I finally stopped getting air bubbles in my lam and glass on fins and I’m not anxious to get back to that same problem.

The probox fins look easier to install and the ability to use FCS fins gives a lot of fin options.  The FCS is my last choice.  They look harder to install than the probox and use the same fins so I prob won’t go that way.

So I have to decide on whether to buy new fins with the probox (not a huge problem) or deal with the more difficult glassing of the future boxes (not sure how long that learning curve will take).  Any advice from people that were once in my position?  Thanks for any help

2

If you can do glass-0ns without air bubbles, you can certainly install Futures.  First you have to come up with the $200 for the install kit.  Lowel

3

I like Gearbox.
Underglass installs are king imo.
Like McDing said though, I’m sure you would do fine with futures.

4

Thanks,  Chrisp, is the fin selection for gearbox limited.  On their site it looks like hanalei and hrdkore are the only two manufacturers.  Money isn’t the main issue and I’m willing to buy the Futures install kit if that system best fits my needs.  thanks again for the help

5

Hi

You can use FCS in Gearbox no problem.

I’ve found ease of install, fewer steps when installing in EPS cores, in order: FCS Fusion, Gearbox, Probox.

I’d use Probox where you want to experiment with fin cant and position. Good for tuning specialty boards.

Karl

 

 

6

FCS Fusion would be my first choice.  The install could not be easier.  It is easier than ProBox or Futures.  I also feel that Fusions are the strongest of the bunch.

7

fcs 2 the best to glass over ,still extra work for glasser ,got to set bottoms off a little slower so can de bubble over plugs …,futures good  if correctly filled when fitted,good to cut slot in glass patch so hard down on top of the box.fcs fusion I did not like, to much stuffing around getting air out kind feels like a bad shape ,glass floating