It’s funny. This forum has gotten to be more and more crazy and things are beginning to slip by me. I added Red X fins to the resource section before even really looking at the site. “uhh, do it later.” I figured. Well I forgot and I’ve just now got a chance to check out their site and whoa…it’s pretty sweet. Not only is the site kinda flashy, but the stuff they are making is really interesting. They’ve developed an ADJUSTABLE fin box system for thruster and small fin set-ups. How cool is that? I’d love to hear a little bit from anyone who’s used and experimented with moving fins around on a thruster. Also, anybody know how the small guy could go about getting a system of Red X? Thanks, Mike
In the late 70s Fins Unlimited made/sold a simular fin system …it went thru the board,was ajustable just like the reds,and had the single slotted screw fastner…The problem with the system(F.U.'s)was that the fins snapped easily,now days composite tech. is much,much better,and i’m sure that the strength factor has improved…but this was not really the chief complaint 1)=As the boards aged the glass around the box on the deck side started to recess,this caused numerious complaints about toes/feet getting some very serious lacerations(some requiring sutures),when I SAW WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE RED-X FINS AT A LOCAL GLASS SHOP I ASKED ABOUT/TOLD THEM ABOUT THE DECKSIDE STORIES and there reply,“you don’t have to wait for the glass to recess, a test rider of mine was using this fin system got his little toe caught in the hole and tore his toe open/also sustaining a complete fracture and almost the loss of his toe”.2)= It’s a two stage route guys /more difficult of a job to install.3)= if you bust the box it will cost you more to have it fixed/replaced…all this and i’m sure much more…but what the heck I can move my fins a 1/2" …anyone else with F.U./RED-X FIN exp.? …PROS OR CONS…Herb.
Red x is a great system. I use it often. I’ve even gotten great results by moving the frontside fin back and the backside fin forward. Sometimes it makes you wonder why we put both side fins the same distance from the tail. I’ve had boards that went good right off the mark, but by moving the fins up or back as little as 1\8 inch made the board ride even better! I haven’t had any Red X fins humm unlike some of the foils on FCS. They make little covers for the deck so your toes won’t get caught in the holes any more. I think FCS has a better variety of templates, but with the ability to move the fins around a bit I don’t think you need as many templates. Lok Box is also a good system as well as Future. All the systems have their merits I think. Fcs tends to be the most popular. Most surf shops when you’re traveling carry them.I’ve never had a Red X break so I’ve never had to buy new ones when I travel. You can get fiberglass fins with Red X. I have their X-5 in fiberglass and it feels really good. aloha
Red-x is the system of choice for several of the top pros we glass boards for. Surfs the most like glass on fins. we have used it for years with very few problems . if i were ever to ride a tri fin thats what I’d use but a five fin Bonzer with glass ons keeps me happy. Peter
Hey Guys, Thanks for the positive and even the negative feed back. Daum Tooling,inc. manufactures the Red X Fin System for Larry Block Enterprises to distribute. We have worked out the majority of the deck crushing issues via four evolutions. The blanks back in the Seventies where not the close tolerance blanks we have today. Consequently, more deck skin was usually removed. Since, most polyurethane foam blanks have there greatest density and thereby strength in the outer skin; decks in the seventies tended to be softer requiring heavier glassed decks. Second, FCS had found that their H column of resin required an extra patch of glass to help reinforce the column contact area. The same hold true for Red X.Third, We also found that by scoring the foam away from the I.D. of the hole through the deck and adding a significant amount of milled fiber to the laminating resin used to set the box, we get an incredibly strong bond. Finally, we have made a flexible stomp pad like cover that spans the interface between the box/resin and the lower density foam/glass media around it. So, it protects and keeps watertight the area around the neck. It also protects little toes. We just finished our 8th thruster template. We have two long board side bite templates and one twin fin template. We are in the process of developing our nineth thruster template now. If you check the site you will also see that we are gaining distribution around the world. Any how I will be gone racing this weekend. So, If anyone has questions I will respond on Monday. Tom O’Keefe VP Daum Tooling, inc.
Okay,how much for how much? I would to try a set.Herb.
Okay,how much for how much? I would to try a set.Herb… THAT’S ,"I would LIKE to try a set-up.Herb.
Herb, To answer your question directly retail is $39.95. But, if you let me know where you are maybe I acn arrange something. E-mail me at and I will arrange for someone to do a demonstration install for you.