Four Way Fin System

General Discussion
1

Has anyone used these?

http://www.4wfs.com/index.php?p=home

what are your thoughts?

Im considering them for my lis fish that Im shaping (following original plans to the letter… um… except fins maybe…)

cheers,

riff

2

original is fine…except I wouldn’t go wider than about 21 or so. The original looks like 22.5 or so. Too stiff. good luck, post pics.

3

thanks for that greg… Ie got the plan shape and rail plan locked in Im just not sure weather to glass the fins or use the fin system above (incase I want to take the board travelling)

I’s be really keen to hear from anyone who hase used the above fin system (in my first post)

cheers,

riff

4

riffraff,

I know there are lurkers out there that have used 4wfs - just wait for them to cough up some info.

Otherwise, have you tried Probox? (www.proboxfinsystems.com)

Easy to install and gives you good flexibility with fin placements.

hand-shaper on here can help you out. Here is one of his fishes with a Probox quad setup in the resources.

http://www.swaylocks.com/resources/detail_page.cgi?ID=1788

-Cam

5

Hey Riffraff,

I was about to buy the 4WFS for my wife’s fish, I could see the finished board in my mind. You know what I mean? Complete. Ends up I got worried about the “shortish” tab and all that fin base. Went with Lokbox because after all is said and done, the fin system is the only high-end component coming from my low-end shed. My buddy uses Probox and swears by them, my first try with Lokbox so no info there. Lokbox look very similar to Futures to install (fairly easy). I did make my last board with glass-ons I made myself. That won’t happen again. That said, the board is working unreal. I just hashed this fin issue out for myself. I figured I will be building boards for some time into the future, and kinda wanted to commit to one system, mainly for ease of installation. Looking at the major fin system players (I’m sure I missed someone’s favorite, sets are thrusters):

  1. Glass ons; normally fiberglass, cheap price ($16/set), easy access, can be homemade, more work/sanding than boxes/plugs, not adjustable, planned or not a surf trip may happen during the life of this board.
  2. FCS; not adjustable, average price ($38/set), easy access, super easy install for a garage guy, very main stream (nothing special).
  3. Futures; not adjustable, average price ($33/set), easy access, fairly easy install, full base support, those vectors look cool.
  4. 4 Way Fin System; fully adjustable, lowest price ($25/set), low stock of foils, easy looking install, single tab support.
  5. Speeed Fins; not adjustable, low price ($27/set), ugly boxes, single tab support, no tools needed.

Step up to fiberglass fins as the standard
  1. Lokbox; fore/aft adjustable, high price ($84/set fiberglass, $58/set plastic), huge selection, fairly easy install, large single tab support.
  2. Probox; fore/aft adjustable, cant adjustable, high price ($87/set fiberglass, $61/set plastic), easy access, easy install, large single tab support.
  3. Red X; fore/aft adjustable, unknown price ($??/set), not sure where to get them, thru deck support, kinda tough install (years ago, the creator of RedX sent me a loaner plunge router, and all install stuff to my house, very cool.)
  4. Others; anyone care to inform?

So to not answer your question, keep us informed. There are a few guys that have used the 4WFS with good results. I PM’d them, they said everything was A-OK. Check your PM, I’ll forward their replies to you.

WM

6

ol fisho (spell check) but after that i can’t think of any

7

“Naturally the degree to which you adjust the various fin settings hinges upon the aerodynamics of the surfboard itself, the natural stance of the surfer and the prevailing surf conditions.”

This was from the website. Does it bother anybody else that they use the word aerodynamics instead of hydrodynamics? Maybe I’m just anal.

8

yeah, I must admit that did make me chuckle :slight_smile:

riff

9

Wow!,

thanks for the effort you put into this response WM!!

Ive not heard of Probox or redX will check them out too…

look forward to the PM’s as well.

Cheers,

Riff

10

yes - I use them … they’re easy to install (as long as you get the router jig) and very adjustable wrt toe in, you get a little for and aft and can get different inserts to change cant (a little).

What’s amazing is how little you need to adjust fin position in order to get dramatically different effects…esp toe in…

11
Quote:
Hey Riffraff,

I was about to buy the 4WFS for my wife’s fish, I could see the finished board in my mind. You know what I mean? Complete. Ends up I got worried about the “shortish” tab and all that fin base. Went with Lokbox because after all is said and done, the fin system is the only high-end component coming from my low-end shed. My buddy uses Probox and swears by them, my first try with Lokbox so no info there. Lokbox look very similar to Futures to install (fairly easy). I did make my last board with glass-ons I made myself. That won’t happen again. That said, the board is working unreal. I just hashed this fin issue out for myself. I figured I will be building boards for some time into the future, and kinda wanted to commit to one system, mainly for ease of installation. Looking at the major fin system players (I’m sure I missed someone’s favorite, sets are thrusters):

  1. Glass ons; normally fiberglass, cheap price ($16/set), easy access, can be homemade, more work/sanding than boxes/plugs, not adjustable, planned or not a surf trip may happen during the life of this board.
  2. FCS; not adjustable, average price ($38/set), easy access, super easy install for a garage guy, very main stream (nothing special).
  3. Futures; not adjustable, average price ($33/set), easy access, fairly easy install, full base support, those vectors look cool.
  4. 4 Way Fin System; fully adjustable, lowest price ($25/set), low stock of foils, easy looking install, single tab support.
  5. Speeed Fins; not adjustable, low price ($27/set), ugly boxes, single tab support, no tools needed.

Step up to fiberglass fins as the standard
  1. Lokbox; fore/aft adjustable, high price ($84/set fiberglass, $58/set plastic), huge selection, fairly easy install, large single tab support.
  2. Probox; fore/aft adjustable, cant adjustable, high price ($87/set fiberglass, $61/set plastic), easy access, easy install, large single tab support.
  3. Red X; fore/aft adjustable, unknown price ($??/set), not sure where to get them, thru deck support, kinda tough install (years ago, the creator of RedX sent me a loaner plunge router, and all install stuff to my house, very cool.)
  4. Others; anyone care to inform?

So to not answer your question, keep us informed. There are a few guys that have used the 4WFS with good results. I PM’d them, they said everything was A-OK. Check your PM, I’ll forward their replies to you.

WM

Others…

O’Fishl, fins glass or plastic

Red-X makes plastic fins, and makes the plastic fins for LokBox

Honestly they can all get the job done. But in each case you have to follow manufacturer’s install instructions closely and do the job properly.

I’ve only used my own boxes for about 4 years…but that’s what you get for tinkering in the garage too much making boxes and fins…

12

Blakestah,

         All the fins we make for Red X and LokBox we also make for 4-Way.

Tom