Futures vs LokBox with regards to the British and French markets

General Discussion
1

I’m about to order a load of fin boxes for boards #1 and #2, both of which are under construction now. I was pretty much set on LokBox but for some reason have started to debate whether that is the right choice.

I have a few questions to ask.

1> (This is the main question)

Assuming I don’t buy the adapter to allow LokBox to take FCS fins, (not sure I’ll be able to get hold of it quickly right now) how good/widespread is the fin availability of LokBox over here?

I see this being a big reason to go for Futures, as whether or not their own fins are available, FCS will be so I’m unlikely to get stuck and unable to surf if the worst happens.

2> Am I right in thinking there is no fore-aft adjustment with the Futures system?

3> For people who build/ride either system in the UK especially, but also in France, Spain or Portugal (or anyone with general input as to why one system or the other gets their vote) is there’s one you would go for over the other, and if so, why?

Cheers folks - hopefully someone will be able to help me out with an answer soon so I can get my order in.

2

Umm… if you want to ride fcs fins, why not just use fcs plugs? They are simple to install (no expensive jigs or gimmicks) and fcs have a wild selection of fins…

Nothin against the other fin boxes but I like to keep it simple…

3

I’m pretty sure that Futures boxes don’t allow FCS fins. Futures fins are secured in the box with a front screw and those boxes will only allow Futures fins. What I’ve been using lately is a box-system called “Stubby” which is sold by Viral here in France. The boxes are very similar to Futures (thus offering a much better anchoring into foam than FCS plugs IMHO, without the need to do a bridge between box and deck) but they feature (no pun intended) two side screws with the same span as that of FCS tabs. Which means that you can use all FCS fins, but also any fin whose base will fit the box: they will be secured by the side screws.

Check them out here: http://www.viralsurf.fr/

4

Futures is available from Seabase in the UK, fairly easy to get hold of. Lokbox also has a UK distributor. If you’re going somewhere where you don’t know about availability, bring a few spare sets as backup, the plastic futures sets are fairly inexpensive.

5
Quote:

Umm… if you want to ride fcs fins, why not just use fcs plugs? They are simple to install (no expensive jigs or gimmicks) and fcs have a wild selection of fins…

Nothin against the other fin boxes but I like to keep it simple…

Until recently …A fin box itself is a gimmick Surfer Dave. Fins all used to be glass ons. I think FCS is the worst of the lot. They did get a jump on the rest so they are the most used around the world. Now that they have been accepted you have people trying to design more functional boxes that do more than allow a shaper to box up five boards and ship them.

As for which is best. The archives are full of debates on this very subject. I don’t think there is too much new that can be added.

I have an idea. Order a set of pro box, order a set of Lokbox and put the probox on the outside and the lokbox on the inside and after a bit of use decide which you like better. You can call it the Heinz 57 model.

6
Quote:

Until recently …A fin box itself is a gimmick Surfer Dave.

well solosurfer, it’s a handy one at that, and the thread poster stated he was interested in using fins that are widely available eh… glass-on fins are neat, until you travel or break em…

Quote:
I think FCS is the worst of the lot.
so you jibe at me because I suggest someone wanting to use their fins perhaps try using their simpel to install plugs?
Quote:

As for which is best. The archives are full of debates on this very subject. I don’t think there is too much new that can be added.

LOL! So what are you attempting?

Quote:

I have an idea. Order a set of pro box, order a set of Lokbox and put the probox on the outside and the lokbox on the inside and after a bit of use decide which you like better. You can call it the Heinz 57 model.

ROFL!!

Great stuff, maybe I’ll make a ketchup bottle red board and do that… wanted to get a hold of some pro-boxes anyway…

badd kitttyy…

7

Hi Bigshot, Lokbox, as well as the fins are very available in the UK, France, Spain and Portugal. Just contact Mick at classicsurf@tiscali.co.uk and he’ll help you out. He has Loboxes and a full selection of fins in stock at all times and is very efficient. He also carries the installation equipment. Send him an e-mail. If you think you will need to buy stuff in France etc…he will put you on to Fabrice, our distributor there, or on to Vasco or Alexandro at MCfins who handle Portugal and Spain. If you have any technical questions you can send me a PM here or send me an e-mail at lokbox@sbcglobal.net Cheers Jim

Click here to learn more about the system and the differences between Lokbox and the Futures system. www.lokboxfins.com

8

  1. you can get it…no worries.

  2. correct. futures goes where it goes. no room for play.

  3. i live in the States, but can say that Lokbox is far superior to either FCS or Futures. still, i prefer ProBox to Lokbox, but if that’s not an option, then Lokbox is the call.

9

in my humble opinion fcs would be the better option, i fit them to my boards. im not a fan of futures ive fitted them on my first few boards and found it to be more time consuming than other systems. im more of a fan of systems fitted after glassing and not before.it makes the system easier to replace if damaged(and a smaller areato repair) i look at it this way most shops carry fcs spares just check out the shops in the area where you surf regularly to see what they stock. or possibly order 1 set futures and 1 set lokbox fit them and decide from there, if i had to decide i would go for lokbox(ive not fitted this type of system but know people that have) . hope this helps.

10

hi bigshot, i ride fcs and lokbox.

the lokbox board is a quad setup and i ride the board in small waves with fcs MR., just make sure not to go to close to the beach you might lose one. but the fcs fins with lokbox and adapter is still better then the orig. fcs. i would just order a spare adapter set.

uzzi

11

You are making your first boards, and you gonna spend time on getting the best of yourself. The way you want it and all of that. So just get the best, get yourself some lokbox and some hot fins. Ya board will look and surf better. And if yo do not wanna invest on the setting jig, ask your local shaper or use an Dremel and a bit of time.

I never plug a fish or a nice board without a lokbox, and never will.

Send us some pics.

Good luck

Arnaud

12
Quote:
Quote:

Until recently …A fin box itself is a gimmick Surfer Dave.

well solosurfer, it’s a handy one at that, and the thread poster stated he was interested in using fins that are widely available eh… glass-on fins are neat, until you travel or break em…

Quote:

I think FCS is the worst of the lot.

so you jibe at me because I suggest someone wanting to use their fins perhaps try using their simpel to install plugs?

Quote:

As for which is best. The archives are full of debates on this very subject. I don’t think there is too much new that can be added.

LOL! So what are you attempting?

Quote:

I have an idea. Order a set of pro box, order a set of Lokbox and put the probox on the outside and the lokbox on the inside and after a bit of use decide which you like better. You can call it the Heinz 57 model.

ROFL!!

Great stuff, maybe I’ll make a ketchup bottle red board and do that… wanted to get a hold of some pro-boxes anyway…

badd kitttyy…

You used the word gimmick to obviously which seemed directed at Probox and Lokbox. Two of the systems that are trying to create a functional fin box system and you ask me what I am attempting? If that was not your intention then I withdraw my remark. You took what appeared to be a cheap shot with the word gimmick. My comment on the which is the best system between the two was telling you straight out that this debate has been hashed out at length on other threads and I seriously doubt there is much else that can be added. Both lokbox and probox have made good contributions to the site on their systems. Spelled out in detail. I doubt I am the only one thinking it either.

FCS one of the only systems that actually uses the fact that their fins break off as some sort of selling point. It’s only the most well distributed. I think I would take almost any system on the planet over a set of FCS plugs. You can put fins in your board and ship them and they have alot of advertising with backing. Thats about it. IMO. Not to mention they play the I won’t sell to the small dealer game as hard as any clothing company.

13

As much as I enjoy reading the heated debates about the pros and cons of different systems I’m going to attempt to grab the wheel back here and stop this descending into one. Haha.

First, some of the points raised…

Glass on

I have EVERY intention of making a board with glass on fins - I’ll probably do a longboard with one at some point - right now I’m going with a box because I’m not really confident enough in my abilities. Once I have a better idea of what I want and where I want it I’ll be doing a glass on - maybe board #3 or #4 (yes, I’m already planning on #3 and #4 even with #1 and #2 sitting in various stages of incompletion in the room next door.)

If anything - glass on looks lovely - soon - I assure you.

Boxes

I’ve spoken to someone at MagicSeaweed (online surf shop I get stuff from sometimes) and all being well they should have their first shipment of LokBox boxes, fins and the FCS Grip-It adaptor very soon, all of which I intend to buy from them if they arrive in time to use them. Failing that I’ll fall back to Futures or FCS, probably Futures (something about the tabs on FCS makes me nervous - I like the idea of a solid base)

So - the plan is to install LokBox on these two boards. I’ll use the Grip-It adaptor to use FCS fins if the need arises (hopefully it won’t - I don’t plan on losing or breaking anything if I can help it)

What I really wanted to know

The people who pointed out that I was looking for availability were spot on.

I’m not so much asking about the pros and cons of each system - I’ve been reading a bit about that already, the main concern I had was the avilability of LokBox fins for the possibility of replacement if I break or lose one.

Now I know the supplier I’ll be getting the boxes from will be selling the boxes fins and FCS adaptor I’ll be going for that - this way I have the choice of either system - sounds good to me.

Now some personal responses to the replies I’ve received so far…

Surfer Dave

A good reply - and to be honest I was thinking about FCS for those exact reasons. I even have a set of hole saws here so with care wouldn’t even need their specialised bit. The two things putting me off FCS have been the pictures and stories I’ve seen about breakage and plug tear out - and the lack of adjustability.

Thanks for the suggestion - as much as I think the simplicity of the system would be a bonus for me at this stage in my shaping and surfing career (ie. raw beginner at both - total greenhorn) I think the plus points of LokBox and futures (more so Lokbox I think) outweigh that.

Hope I don’t end up regretting that choice!

Balsa

I’m glad you pointed out about Futures - I went back to the site I read about a system that takes their own and FCS and it wasn’t Futures at all - I don’t know where I got that idea. It was Fin Solutions was thinking of - glad you said it now.

That “Stubby” system sounds interesting. I’ll keep them in mind for the next few boards I make. Right now I’m trying to get these boards finished in double-quick time so I can head to France for a couple of weeks (I’ve got about a week to get them finished and ready to ride) so this time will be going with a system I can get sent by next day delivery. That’s going to be LokBox, Futures or FCS (and if at all possible I’m going with LokBox this time)

I’m not sure where in France I’ll be heading - but once I know I’ll send you a message - I’ll try to drop by, it would be nice to see some Stubby fins close up and see if you can give me some pointers on where I’ve gone right/wrong with the board I’ll be making - if you don’t mind that is.

Feel free to send me a Private Message about this so we can keep the thread on topic if you like.

Haavard

I’ve already ordered most of my stuff (glass, resin, 10.5" centre box and so on) from Seabase and will be getting my Futures kit from them if I can’t get LokBox in time to finish the boards before I go away.

If I do get LokBox boxes ordered tomorrow - this time I’ll be bringing the FCS adapters with me just in case I need to replace any fins - after that I’ll probably use your suggestion of carrying spares - it makes perfect sense.

Solosurfer

57 Varieties? I like that idea :smiley:

Watch this space - haha. I feel a theme for board #4 or maybe #5 coming up.

Lokbox

I have every intention of contacting you actually - there are one or two things I need to ask you.

Which are you more likely to read (and reply to) quickest? An email or a PM? I’m really rushing to get these boards finished now so quicker contact would be the best.

Thanks for the info - as it happens I’ve got your site open in another browser tab right now. The one thing I really want to see on there is the installation section! Haha.

Soulstice

Thanks again for your input.

Your verdict on FCS vs LokBox vs Futures just backs up everything I’ve been hearing.

Unfortunately ProBox aren’t so easy to come by over here. I’m sure I will try them at some point but just now I need something I can lay my hands on nice and quickly so LokBox it is.

gnrboards

It does help. Hadn’t thought much about the repair differences between systems that go in before and after glassing.

I have to agree, FCS looks by far the simplest - but I think the adjustability and (from what I’m told) extra strength of the LokBox system is putting it as favourite right now.

Thanks.

uzzi

The comment about LokBox with FCS Adaptor versus FCS Plugs gives me even more confidence about going with LokBox if at all possible. Best of both worlds.

Thanks for the tip about not going too close to the beach - maybe some kind of fin retention system is called for. :slight_smile:

abezat

Encouraging post. Yes - I really do want the best for these boards (even more so #2 which is for someone else - I would feel very bad making her a board that wasn’t the best I could make)

“Ask your local shaper” - I’m not sure that is an option for me. I live in Manchester - my nearest shaper is probably about 3 hours away - and that’s if they have the installation kit.

I will probably go for the Dremel and time approach.

You can count on pics - I’ll probably be posting a build progress thread on here and have a blog on the go too. http://bigshotsurf.blogspot.com/ There’s nothing but text on there right now but I’ll probably start taking photos tomorrow and start posting them on there right away.

The responses so far have been a huge help and have pretty much sold me on LokBox.

No matter what you suggested it has seriously helped me a lot. Thanks a million guys.

Some final questions to finish off.

1> Is there a resource anywhere (on this site or elsewhere) that gives the kind of info (pictures and video a bonus) I will need in order to install these boxes (LokBox) using a Dremel, a steady hand and a fair bit of time?

2> Can you give me any specific points to look out for so I don’t have to re-invent the wheel on this? Things to do or not do.

3> Would a Dremel held freehand do the trick? I can get a router attachment for it for £16 (about $30US) if I need to but would rather save the money for the trip I have coming up if that’s likely to be possible.

Thanks a million guys.

Trying not to sound like I’m gushing - but this site is great.

Pats on the back all round.

14

Big shot check out this link - http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB4&Number=1221749&Searchpage=6&Main=909234&Words=JJR&topic=&Search=true#Post1221749

E-mail me at lokbox@sbcglobal.net with any questions. Thanks Jim

15

Thanks Jim - really nice thread to have to refer to.

Thats someone installing after glassing right?

Is that the preferred method of installing LokBoxes or is it better done before glassing?

16

No need to wait for Magic seaweed to get them in. Mick will usually have them in the post next day.Email or his phone number was on the Rainbow Fin Company site under distributors. Also 4 lokbox boxes in white on uk ebay for £12 including postage. See ebay item number

220136233755Good price as I think they were around £3.50 each (although may be better to go for a production set of fins and boxes if they do them in fins you want).

Mark

17

I’ve just spoken to Mick now.

Pretty helpful guy.

He’s said he’ll be able to ship the fins tomorrow if I order them today and at a lower price than from MSW (though that’s to be expected, buying at retail versus buying at cost) too.

2 sidebites and 2 boxes in a package for £15.

£23.50 for a centre fin (I’m making a 2+1 setup)

I’ll probably get some Grip It adapters just in case I end up needing to get some FCS as spares at some point.

All that’s cheaper than I thought I was going to need to pay for a centre fin alone.

Nice one. :slight_smile: