Is there anyone in Australia making removable keel fins? Or can you make your own, if so how, and what system (fcs etc) is best suited to keels? I would be willing to buy from overseas if neccessary. Any info will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
James (Sydney Aus)
Seems a simple FinsUnlimited/Bahne/Chinnook box would be the easiest to make fins for, with about 34 layers of 6oz. Plate and screw, like a longboard.
an FCS rep brought some cool FCS Keels into the shop for the fin guy to try out, he liked them a lot. We got another pair for the ASR show. If you talk to FCS I’m sure they could hook you up with a pair.
Is there anyone in Australia making removable keel fins? Or can you make your own, if so how, and what system (fcs etc) is best suited to keels? I would be willing to buy from overseas if neccessary. Any info will be much appreciated.
Cheers,
James (Sydney Aus)
hi Jay !
I’m in perth west australia , but was in sydney for 20 years prior to here.
I make my own… check the fin thread… out of wood, or foam core [light, float], out of fibreglass.
You could go with fcs , futures, multifin boxes, o’fish’l… do you also get lokbox and redx there ?
Once you have these systems, it’s just a question of getting the thickness right for the box.
My keels for fcs , I use three plugs… makes it a bit stronger for the fibreglass ones [between 28-35 layers 5oz flatweave, I use, but you could use 4 or 6 oz if you want. ]
Wood core, fibreglassed, is a cheaper alternative, looks nice, doesn’t tax the fcs plugs as much as solid glass ones. Foam core with quite a few layers of glass each side is a light option too.
Definately have a go at making them yourself… WAY too pricey to get them in from overseas for me. I can make HEAPS of pairs of fins for the same price, and any thickness, template, colour[s] I want , too! (which is nice…)
A search through the archives here and at surfermag.com design forum should equip you with heaps of templates for starters !!
… go for it mate, have fun !
ben
Hey Jay, I’m in Newcastle Aust., and as far as I know none of the big companies make removable keels in this neck of the woods. What I have done is use Fin Solutions plugs, made up a fin panel and cut and foiled the suckers myself. The beauty of Fin Solutions plugs is that you can use both RedX and FCS in them as well. Alternatively, you sould contact Rod Dunn of Finfection (on the Goldy) who recently made me up some unreal glass keels with foam inserts - I’m sure he could make some for whatever system you’re using.
Take care,
Craig.
Thanks for all the info guys, you rock! Im inspired, Im gonna go it alone.
Cheers