Sliding fin box for FCS.

General Discussion
1

I wanted to move my centre FCS fin around more like the old sliding boxes from the 70s/ 80s.

So the distance between tabs is about 3 in

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide001.jpg[/IMG]

and if you over lap 2 fins using a common position its ~ 5 in between front and rear tabs of the 2 fins

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide003a.jpg[/IMG]

Even if you use other fins with different bases its all about the same dims of 5 in

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide005a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide004a.jpg[/IMG]

 I figured out if theres a gap of 18 mm between 'positions' it works out simpler with the math, but theres no reason why a longer box couldnt provide more variations.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide007a.jpg[/IMG]

 So Im investing a piece of plastic 5 in long , 6mm wide to make a slot 14mm deep for the fin base.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide008a.jpg[/IMG]

 It will have 7 holes for 4 different positions for FCS and other base designs, but I havent tried them all.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide011a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide012a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide013a.jpg[/IMG]

 I made a white wooden frame, rubbed car polish over the insides then balanced the grey plastic slot in position and poured an epoxy and CSM carbon fibre mix around it.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide016a.jpg[/IMG]

 Took off the red tape and the whole block slid out the bottom of the wooden frame.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide018a.jpg[/IMG]

So the CF and plastic came out of the frame, its the same width as an FCS plug so it'll take screws from both sides.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide019a.jpg[/IMG]

And the plastic insert lifted out of the set resin and CF.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide020a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide021a.jpg[/IMG]

The top surface is a little rough but I'll let it cure a bit more , clean it up and then drill the 7 holes at 18 mm spaces.

 [IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide022a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide023a.jpg[/IMG]

 If each hole is drilled from opposite sides ( 1/3/5/7 on the left and 2/4/6 on the right) it always works out that the fin has a screw going in from both sides for stability.

It gives 4 different positions over several inches for FCS fins but its even more variable with fins that have an elongated tab. 

2

Totally certifiable…totally.

3

I'll take that as a compliment but what do you think of the box?

4

are you making a Probox?

5

maybe coupled with high density foam wrapper for a bigger foot print?

too narrow and it seems more likely to want to rock side to side…

but what do I know?

far more ambitious than any of my skunkworks!

6

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out! Very interesting! Wondering if a standard center fin box could be modified in a similar fashion?

7

I give you an "A" for creative thinking, but you receive an "F" for wasting good time and energy.  You obviously don't have kids or a wife...or a job?  You need to hook up with old resinhead and I can put your energy to better pursuits, i.e., Seal slaying, Seal skinning, Seal processing, Seal smoking....hummm  smoked seal

 

..I digress,...Seal Tom Foolery and general Seal Mayhem.

 

 all that shanagians to get a probox, or just a center fin box. 

So why are you doing this. Call me. 1-800- KIL-SEAL

8

 

But I love your creativity, and you gumption!

9

Otis, no its not a Probox, I think they can get 1/2 in movement fore and aft . And cant.

 Mine has 2 1/2 inch of travel all up.

afoaf, Im certainly going to use an HD foam wrapper/collar. The molding part so far has been really simple.

Resinhead, my mail suggests that old school boards from the 80's/90's are set for the next revival.

 Vee bottom, solid rails, lots of bouyancy and adjustable centre fins so this would be a great way to incorporate FCS fins to keep the 80's/90's  feel..

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/Surfboards041.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/Surfboards014.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/Surfboards013.jpg[/IMG]

 If I used a standard fin box I couldnt use FCS fins and if I used FCS plugs I dont get the range of movement.

(Unfortuneately we dont get too many seals in Queensland.)  

This shows the amount of travel. ~ 2 1/2 inches.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide2004a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide2005a.jpg[/IMG]

 And after a bit of sanding and balancing.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide2008a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide2010a.jpg[/IMG]

 Ive got a few 6'2"s  I could put it in but Ive also got a few fun boards around 7'6", so I'll make a few more boxes and test what brand of fins are suitable but I know FCS and a couple of other brands work. 

 Next is the screw holes and then install, but the main parts been done.

10

No, No,NOOOOOOOOO....like this. Been there done that. No need for some stinking plastic FCS fins.  Do your glass on's then do the box.. I'm talking late 80's style.

 

Notice the nice foam foil side fins...In neon pink & pink tint.....Ahhhh the 80's!

 

back fin box

11

Oh yeah ! Thats the 'goods' right there ! ~sigh~

But to "improve" on the 80's they'd probably bring out World Champion Design Fins to suit the 80's/ 90's Signature boards. Or just as a new range of FCS fins.

 Like  a set of POTTZ fins or TOM CURREN or DAMIEN HARDMAN or OCCY fins, so there'd be new 'old' fins to go with the retro boards.

New tech for the old shapes. And not just World Championship Fins but also bring back those personalities of that era. Bertleman, Dane Kealoa,Buttons,Cheyne.and many more....

 Why wait for the surfers to get to retirement age before they get a revival.

12

I would have just have installed 2 probox’s in a row for the center fin.

Suitably ground down forward and rear areas to fit together for the situation  to extend the length of fin adj. , and drill screw holes.

But yours is much more custom of course.

 

Others: also be aware that you can actually get nearly 1" of adj out of a FCS or more specifically Probox fin biased to either the front or back of a single probox

by sanding the tabs and threading more screws.

 

13

ok, ok, ok…I see…this thread was just a ruse so you could post a picture of that fin.

make with the 'splanation.

14

Well its not a ‘D’ fin

15

Its just a fin that I had in several tab variations. Probox fins are rare around here and Futures are too expensive for an inventor.

 But if I was going to showcase any fin I'd push my Abdominal Fins I put on side fins. A few guys have won local contests with them on longboards.

 Havent got a pic of them but I'll put one up 2 moro.

 Theres so much room to develop totally new fins, new fin accessories, new fin variations....

Edit: Heres the pics...from a basic hand carved piece of plastic.

 [IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SB1.jpg[/IMG]

I made a series of plaster molds and reshaped and remolded until people liked riding them.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SB12inX3insidebite.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SB5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SBS2.jpg[/IMG]

Now theyre all carbon/epoxy and just stick on to the inside of the side fins. About .50c worth of materials.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SBS3.jpg[/IMG]

16

Seeing as I posted my FCS finboxes 2 years ago here on Sways.  ...

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide2006a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCslide2007a.jpg[/IMG]

I wonder where they got this idea from..... ...?

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/FCSBOX.jpg[/IMG]

 I'll take it as a compliment !

 

 

17

This epoxy-cotton flock method might work just as well and might be easier/cheaper:

http://dev.swaylocks.com/forums/my-own-finboxes

 

18

hOW much travel fore and aft do you get with those bgsurfer ?

Great work by the way !!!

 I get  2 .5 in of travel and  several diffrent positions along the way.

19

Thanks.  But it’s not my work.  Wish I could take credit.  That is the work of a Sways’ German member, duuuude.

I have that particular thread URL stored for reference.  His epoxy-flock mix looked perfect for some projects of mine, installing screw and other types of mounting plugs in foam.