hi,
apparently, there are a few different techniques when it comes to adding fin patches to reinforce a finbox install. the Probox install video on their website recommends a finpatch in the bottom lam before routing. Lokbox install descriptions/posts recommend patches over the finbox installation.
which way is better, why? would it be overkill to do both?
(both are great systems by the way, and i’m intending to use BOTH. i don’t want this to turn into another Lokbox vs. Probox thread)
thanks!
We always recommend a patch under the lamination so you cut through 2 layers when routing the hole for the box. If it’s a foam install , you apply a patch over the box, then roll out your full layer of glass over that. If your doing a twin fin or keel we recommend larger patches of 6 ounce rather than small patches of 4 ounce. Cheers
ProBox isn’t really designed to be capped over, BUT if you want to maximize the strength of the install you should wrap some glass AROUND the box.
i always put a cap on my longboard center boxes, but never on my sidebites (which are now exclusively ProBox).
they hold plenty solid without any additional help.
I think it depends on what type of box you are installing. Follow the manufacturer instructions, he wrote them to give you the best chances of a failure-free finbox install.
My boxes come with a dual-height lip, glass over the outer lip, no glass over the inner lip. Even with a single 4 oz patch it is plenty strong.
I’m a firm believer that glass over the top gives a better strength to weight ratio - ie: you will have a lighter install for the same stiffness and resistance to failure. The non-cap methods generally recommend removing foam under the adjacent glass and filling that area with resin at installation. Like that resin’s weight doesn’t count! When you have to have 2 6 oz patches and remove foam under the glass after routing, the finbox weight is irrelevant because you added more weight in glass and foam than you added in finbox!
Of course, these all work to some degree well enough for most surfers, and there are plenty of other fin system attributes to consider OTHER than ease/weight of installation. Selection of fins, ease of changing fins, ability to adjust fins between surf sessions, ability to use fins that move during turns, etc.