Can’t decide whether to go with glass-on fins or removable ( which will be fcs if I don’t go glass-ons). Me being olny 15 im pretty light guy at 5’6’ and 135 lbs, Im not sure if they carry glass ons for my size though. I’ve never tried glass ons but hear great things about them. So, would any of you think it would be wise to try glass ons? or stick with FCS… I’ll be riding a
5’8" x 17.5" x 2" thruster Mahalo in advance !!!
if you are going to travel then go with fcs if you are staying around home glass ons arn’t bad. it’s not hard to make glass ons just take your favorite fcs template and copy it, though you will have some problems foiling .
I wont be traveling with it. Im not going to make the fins or the board, just custom ordering it.
…go with FCS only if you will buy at least 3 sets of them…to compare . if not, go with glass ons…
If you’re not sure about what fins you might need, go with FCS. It gives you more variety and you can try a lot of different sizes to get a feel for what you want. Check www.surffcs.com and see if there’s a Test Drive Center near you. You can test out any of the FCS fins for free so long as you leave a credit card or something at the shop. They also have them for Futures fins, but I’m not sure how many shops do that. FCS is a good way to go, lots varied templates and it’s easy to make your own if you need something different.
Hi there,
As you are in Kauai, I’d recommend using the local grown product which is Probox.
The system is easy to install,
It’ll take Probox fins and FCS fins, and
You’ll be supporting the local guys.
Go to http://www.proboxhawaii.com/ to find out more and to get contact info for the guys.
-Cam
I use probox fins - great system.
I wont be traveling with it. Im not going to make the fins or the board, just custom ordering it.
“Custom” means just that: not only a board precision-made to match your weight/height/surfing level, but fins, too: neither too big or too small for you and glassed-on right where they belong. Any good custom shaper should carry different fins-sizes/templates, even for glass-ons.
depends on how much experience your shaper has. If he’s a top man he can choose a great set of glass-ons for you and the board will be fine. If you want some versatility then fix boxes will give it to you. You’d be amazed how just changing the trailer on a thruster can affect performance.
Mahalo, Rich
Kauaigrown,
You should be fine either way. Any option have both positives and negatives. I personally prefer how glass-on surf over any removable system I have tried. However, it sucks breaking (fixing) glass-ons. It is nice to be able to change your fins out but I tend to think that most people do not take full advantage of that option. You might want to ask your shaper and see what they think. Also, being from Kauai myself, I would use Probox as my removable system over other systems.
Aloha,
msm
Howzit?!? Probox is an option, but not the only one. The main plus for PB is the adjustability. I still personally prefer FCS, for a variety of reasons. Aloha…RH
glass ons can be adjusted or sized before glassing on…
reducing size is easier
Industry standards prescribe removeables
fcs is the most popular currently.
like fireing pins in manufactured rifles
the part can be replaced
rather than remanufacturing.
removeable fins primary design flaw is their design advantage
they remove easily,and hopefully fail before the inserts .
the advantage of glass ons ,they have the potential
overbuilt quality that the whole board will break
before the fins.
tradeoffs…
Production glassers like inserts because they are easier to sand
and therefore easier to finish a custom glass job…
…ambrose…
If you are getting a custom the builder will have prefrences
ask the builder,the happier they are
the quicker you will get the board in your hands
“Expertise costs extra.” Aloha…RH