I could do with some opinions regarding the pros and cons of FCS against Futures Fins. I am currently using FSC and have been with a few exceptions reasonably happy with them…BUT a little bird tells me that Futures Fins are going to take over the world. So I am wondering if I should switch? Is the Future brighter for Futures? is the FCS company as lame as I hear with little support? or is it a load of bollocks!
TM
My opinion is that you use fins you like wether it’s FCS or Futures. So try Futures On your next board. I wouldn’t switch to Futures because they’re taking over…
And what Kind of support are you looking for from the fin companies?
Jimmy Yoshio Shibata.
i like Futures myself…holds more like a glass-on…and doesn’t “break away” the way everyone says FCS fins are supposed to…also, no plugs to pop out in the middle of an epic session.
Howzit mason, I not sure that Futures are going to take over the world but they are getting more popular due to some good promotion. They went on a mission by going to the big manufacturers and giving them free installation kits here in Hawaii. Even Futures fins will break off, just talked with a friend who asked me if I had any spare Future fins cause one of his had snapped off. You have to remeber that FCS is designed to break off so the plugs don’t get ruined. I like the easy installation of FCS over Futures and I tweak the install a little to make sure the plugs don’t fail since I stand behind my installations and will repair for free if it’s my fault the plug fails. They are both good systems and I would try the futures if you’ve never had a board with them. There are pros and cons with every fin system so I believe it’s up to the individual to choose. There is a another new system coming out called Power Box which I have already used and it’s a good system also. Aloha,Kokua
…another good system is speeedfins…
Excellent thread……
I agree with Yoshio go with what you think and like.
Also Kokua is right FCS are much more easier to deal with froma repair side.
[=1] [/url] [ 2][/][/]I have there are pros and cons to each and every fin system.
FCS: Pros= new F series fins are sick. fins can be found everywhere, plugs are easy to fix.
cons=keys strip easy, takes too long to install 3fins and there are too many fin choices. plugs can break easy if not installed right.
Lok-box: pros= really cool fins to choose from, very strong, fin placement can be adjusted slightly inside the box, fcs fins also work with the system.
cons= expensive, not many shops have the fins.
Futures: pros= easy to install your fins. they always fit in the boxes easy and perfect. strong system. really sick fins like the vector foils. available most places FCS are.
cons= when you do break a box it’s a little more involved to replace it.
Speeed fins: pros= snap in, takes 2-3 seconds to get you fins in the board. They make the board feel really smooth.
cons= replacements not widely available, hard to get the fins out sometimes, boxes can develop stress cracks easier than most.
OAM: pros= really nice system, strong, fins feel great, allow for minor adjustment once installed.
cons= no one even knows the system exists. hard to get replacement fins, can be hard to get the fins into the right position inside the box.
Red-x: pros= feel like glass-ons, very strong fins and boxes, adjustable, will give a board extra drive.
cons= the open hole on the deck side of the board tends to develop some cracks over time on lighter boards.
Glass-ons: pros=usually the best feeling fin. lots of people are going back to them lately.
cons= pain to travel with, can’t try other fins in the same board.
Personally I like the feel of Futures and use them……Over all they have the best feel of the bunch and they are east to travel with. To be they feel the closest to a glass on fin.
Fairly accurate assesment there basswave, only not sure where you came up with the expensive part when referring to Lokbox. $30.00 for a set of glass keels w/boxes is comparable to all systems, as well as $25.00 for a molded thruster set w/boxes. Thruster w/glass fins and boxes is $40.00. Thanks for the mention though!
Hi.
I heard on the grapevine that lokbox are doing reovable keel fins for twin fin fish…
Is this true ? My fish is the only board that I won’t put on a train / plane and I’d love to take it traveling some time
Brian
In all deference to Halcyon, Finektion(sorry?)and John Cherry…
LokBox makes an insane fish fins called the Turbo Quads that Manuel is now using… They also have very beautiful wooden ones too… Wish I had gone Lokbox versus Futures with my Mandala quad but I don’t think the turbos or woodies were out in July when I ordered my board from Manny.
Any fin setup that gives you options of adjustment are definitely worth it compared to either the fixed options of FCS or Futures although those are the the most likely the kind of plugs you’ll get with any off the shelf board.
The only thing futures have going for them are their Vector and Tow-in series while FCS have the most selection of all the fins out there other than a standard box setup…
Lokbox or Redex.
Redex for and EPS boards
Hey Oneula,
Lokbox and Red-X are both top fin box systems IHMO. Lockbox has the best shape insert on the market IMHO. They both have a little fore and aft adjustment which is definitely a valuable feature. The only reason I don’t taut them is cause I can’t yet tool the tabs for them. For these systems you have to be able to taper the tab perfectly and if I can do a profession job I’m not going to do the job at all. These systems are the choice of many top surfers. So if you tend in there direction go for it. The Future Fin system is also used by many top surfers and shapers. I can make fins with any cant and you can marry two together for keel fins if you like. The system is the most straightforward of them all IMHO.
For very thin rail applications and smaller fins FCS works fine. It’s quite easy and being the biggest fin box manufacturer in the world it must work fine for normal usage. It’s certainly not my choice though.
I think a person should go with what’s available and what appeals to them, remembering that the installation is the most important part of the whole picture. The best fin box installed poorly is always bad news.
Mahalo, Rich
I just measured one of my spare RedX fins and the tab is tapered. Very slight taper with just a few millimeters.
What about moulding the tab onto a fin? Wouldn’t that work?
/Erik
LokBox, where can I get a set of fiberglass thrusters with boxes for $40. I am in Florida, if that matters. I looked into Rainbow Dist. East but it will run $68 for a set with boxes, plus shipping from them, unless my info is wrong. That is the only reason why I haven’t tried the system, because it really looks awesome. I’d love to try some, so any info would be appreciated! Thanks.
Kokua, is this the same Powe Box system used on windsurfers?
Howzit cappio, Don’t think so since it’s a brand new system that really hasn’t hit the market yet. The reason I have it is one of the inventers is a good friend who I’ve mentored about ding repair and I guess he wanted me to give it a try and tell them my thoughts about it. Aloha,Kokua
Thank you for the info Kokua, any website where we could find pictures of that system ? Mahalo
Howzit cappio, Not sure if there is a web site yet but I’ll pull out my camera and take some pictures of the one set I have left. I can say from my own experience that it’s an easy system to install and use. Aloha,Kokua
Soory, should have mentioned the prices I posted are wholesale. If you have a friend at a glass-shop maybe you could have them order tham for you.
Interesting…I find installing Futures almost fool proof now that I have the right router bits and a jig. Having had several bad experiences installing FCS…i find them harder.