Custom Fin -- re: Fin Companys

General Discussion
1

I’m planning on ordering a custom fin set through a Fin Co. that was used by the shaper of my board.

The board came with the shapers custom fin’s in a fcs tab format and made by XYZ Fin Co. (as an example).

XYZ Fin Co. and the shaper are located locally to each other.

However, I want to get the same fin with the tabs made 1/2" forward on the fin so that the fins

will effectively sit 1/2" back when placed in the fcs plugs.

Here’s my question: Can I call XYZ Fin Co. and tell them what I want and tell them to reference

the template used by Joe Schmoe shaper or would this be bad business for them??

Like they’d be poaching on the shapers business by me referencing the same template?

I’d prefer this way over the mailing of less precise traced templates since this company is located quite a distance from me.

2

it’s the shaper’s fins for the shaper’s board…i don’t see any ethical issue there?

call 'em up and ask…can’t hurt?! worst case scenario is that they want to get a thumbs up from the shaper, which i doubt would be much of a problem (so long as you promise to give him some feedback on how the board rides with the fins a bit farther back).

nothing wrong with a little experimentation…

3

Yo HalSose,

Don’t even hesitate. Ask for what you want. Surfboard and fin construction and sales should be about giving the customer what he asks for within reason. You request isn’t that far out of the box IMHO. Al you have to do is ask courteously and you’ll find out in an instant who you’re dealing with.

No Worries, Rich

4

If you ordered a bunch and sold them at a profit and did not give Mr. Schmoe his proper

cut, then I’d have to turn you in… …otherwise it’s like Halcyon says.

Also be sure not to get the shaper’s name or logo on the fin, I think by moving the tabs,

you are not making that shaper’s intended fin anymore, thoughts?

5
Quote:
If you ordered a bunch and sold them at a profit and did not give Mr. Schmoe his proper cut, then I'd have to turn you in... ...otherwise it's like Halcyon says.

Also be sure not to get the shaper’s name or logo on the fin, I think by moving the tabs, you are not making that shaper’s intended fin anymore, thoughts?

No, tabs are irrelevant to fin design, you could just move the box to compensate.

But using someone’s name commercially without paying them is a no-no.

In this case I would just ask the fin guy for the fin in a nice polite way, and probably everything will be fine. He may defer and ask you to go through the shaper, which would also be fine.

6

I wonder if it wouldn’t be easier and cheaper to add another pair of FCS plugs to your board, just behind the existing plugs, so you can play around with the position of your already existing fin.

7

Would making your own version of the fin be an option? Layup some fiberglass panels and bust out the grinder!

8

addressing the tangential replies:

Re : move the plugs

I’d rather have a finset that can fit across multiple boards and supplies a 1/2" offset for troubleshooting other boards or future boards

from the same shaper , if need be.

Re: make your own fins.

Never did that before, but I demand perfection and am willing to pay for it versus fin hum,fuglyness and a pervasive feeling of needing

to scratch everywhere.

RE: why dont you buy a fin making shop.

Hmmm, I dont invest in what I dont know about, but a sandwhich shop may be a good idea.

As to all others that helped thanks.

I’ll be ordering actually 2 sets of fins , GAM’s with a 1/2" offset because I do need to move the plugs on a board that quite aint getting it. But the plugs will

be moved by an 1", and between regular GAM’s and my 1/2" offset ones I can get all the versatility in finding the sweet spot that I should need.

In addition, I’ll be ordering a 1/2" offset ‘set’ for the board that started this thread, and BTW the finset from the shaper never had his name on it, just the fin co’s name.

9

pau…aloha and mahalo!