I have recently aquired a 6’ foward of center downrailed rounded pintail, the dings and cracks are not an issue. But the fin is my question, its delaming, cracked (bad) at the base and in my opions too far back. (to the tail) My thoughts are to grind it off and put a bane box in. (since I plan to ride it) My reasoning is that if I want the original configuration, I can have it, or if I want to experiment with fin shape and placement then i can do that with the box. So I was looking for advice and thoughts on this matter. I’ve put in fin boxs before and have modest skills in repair but any advice is appreciated. Oh yeah the board is a “Fine Foil” if anyone knows anything about the shaper, reputation and or history that would be cool too. The fin is one of those laminated wood and fiberglass combos, maybe a rainbow, and wide base and short overall, real stubby little thing. Thanks
to grind off the old fin, grind off the glass and rope that held it, then router the new box in, but that’s what you want. I assume you have the tools, equipment and determination to see it through. So what’s the question? Go for it. My concern with fins to fin the Bahne box (now made by Fins Unlimited, where I buy 'em) is that the fins are humbug to make (hard to get the base thickness exactly right) and they cost more than molded fins. I can get an 8" glass fin starting at about $28 retail, some shops take the bigger fins up to 10" and $50. But the boxes are easy to make a router jig for, and easy to set as long as you set a fin in 'em when you stick 'em in, so you can verify that they’re in straight not canted.