Ok, I need the straight poop. Going to drop the cash on one of the fin installation kits. The question is which one. Since I build mainly just for myself, I am looking for the EASIEST install. Would that be FCS, RedX, O’fishl, or futures? Pros and cons of each, your recommendations? The less techincal the install the better. Thanks ahead of time for your continued selfless sharing of knowledge and experience. ed
Ok, I need the straight poop. Going to drop the cash on one of the fin > installation kits. The question is which one. Since I build mainly just > for myself, I am looking for the EASIEST install. Would that be FCS, RedX, > O’fishl, or futures? Pros and cons of each, your recommendations? The less > techincal the install the better. Thanks ahead of time for your continued > selfless sharing of knowledge and experience. ed Is money a concern?Herb.
The easiest to install out of all the fin systems you mentioned is Redx. You just have to have a good air compressor. FCS is pretty easy too but they are gay about their systems. FCS wont let you buy a kit from them unless you are a dealer. Redx is the most strongest system a well. So you will go long ways with a Redx system. Kind of expensive for the kit, maybe you could do it for friends or something. See if a shaper in the area does Redx. I broke a carbon fiber fin in my board and it didn’t touch the bord or box. I just put a new fin in and surfed. Go RedX!
Herb, well considering the price, Fiberglass supply had the futures kit for I think $135, and foamEz offers the FCS for I think it was $165. Surf source had the FCS for 95 but won’t come off unless you are a manufact. Have not priced a redX kit, I suppose its in the same ballpark? Tom? So, in the $150 range seems to be the going rate. I am ok with spending the money, like I said ease of installation is what I am looking for. So any input you can offer or advice is appericated. Redx has one vote already. Other than what has been dicussed on Sways regarding FCS installations, I am pretty clueless on how the others are done. ed
Anything is easy if you know the ropes. To be fair FCS is a very easy system to install,and can be done with a cheap investment(you don’t need to buy their install kit,even though it would be better from the beginning).They have a wide assortment of fins to choose from. Ofish’l fins are the cheapest in supplies(boxes,fins)but the jig set-ups will cost you about $350.00 Without the routers required.If you need the routers it’s another $350.00.Once you catch on to the ofishl system it’s pretty easy to install,and it’s a good strong system. Future don’t know much about this fin system. Red-X I’m still in the process of finding out all the dope on them,they have a growing following,and appear to be a strong system to use.As far as install kit prices???Tom???..Herb.
Redx system is pretty expensive compared to FCS and the others. 100% worth every penny. Imagine not having to repair you fins everytime you go surfing? Redx isn’t unbreakable as anything isn’t but it is super super strong. Redx is simpler to install than FCS, you just need the real tools. I haven’t heard of any bootleg kits yet, prolly because Redx ain’t stupid about it like FCS. It is expensive because of the precise tools. 1st you need the installatin jig which is the aluminum jig the router goes on. Next is the vacuum system for the jig. Redx uses a jig that sucks down to the board so the jig doesn’t slide around while routing, therefore making a perfect cut. Then you eed the router bit which is 4.5" X 1/2". Then a 7" template base for the router. You can buy a router all setup from Redx pretty cheap too. I have the price list for this but its kinda old. Seems to be looking at around $400 for everything. If you want Redx I will install it for you if your in the area. Just email me. Go Redx!
For manufacturing purposes we have made a farely an industrial type installation kit. But, That does not mean that is the only way to install Red X. When boards have more contour than the vaccume can deal with or in Australia or Brazil a number of glass shops have just taped down a simple jig. The router is the most expensive piece of equipment. Give Larry Block a call at 805-583-0057 and he will set you up the in the best way for your application.
For manufacturing purposes we have made a farely an industrial type > installation kit. But, That does not mean that is the only way to install > Red X. When boards have more contour than the vaccume can deal with or in > Australia or Brazil a number of glass shops have just taped down a simple > jig. The router is the most expensive piece of equipment. Give Larry Block > a call at 805-583-0057 and he will set you up the in the best way for your > application. Tom, Last night I came up with a crude jig (actually a guide) to run my roto tool with.I made several test cuts,and I will cut the real thing today. It may be a major alterative to the backyard/garage guy.Herb.
I’ve been installing and repairing FCS systems for 4 years now(about 500 sets) and I’m sold on them. Easy to install and by far the easiest to repair. If you damage (rip out ) the red-x system it’s a nightmare to repair,with FCS just drill out the damaged plug and replace it. Installed an edge system yesterday for a client, but they have a preset angle of 5 degrees so you really can’t adjust to a different angle. I use different angles for different bottom contours,they need to fine tune the system. I agree that FCS installation kits are hard to get from the manufacturers but there are a lot of them in use,you might be able to buy a used kit.
Herb, I would like to check out your method and see how it works. If you need a set of allignment tools I’ll be happy to hook you up. Kokua, Red X has a much more substantial bond that incorperates both the bottom & deck fiberglass. So, it takes a much more severe incedent to cause dislodge the box. The rate is so low that there is not enough data to describe different percentages of how they fail. But, in the four years that I have been making them, I have seen a simple dislodge (caused by using q-cell instead of milled fibers in the installation) and a rail blow out. The rail blowout occurred while attempting to land a lip launch from about 8’. A boogie boarder descided to bail his board right under one fin on the landing. I would have snapped any board on that event. The dislodge was quite easy to repair. I just dremilled the remaining bond loose. Then it was just a matter of setting a new box. But, I guess if you like break away fin boxes, that’s your business.
I’ve been installing and repairing FCS systems for 4 years now(about 500 > sets) and I’m sold on them. Easy to install and by far the easiest to > repair. And by far the easiest to blow out…I’ve seen fins flying in the air after a hard bottom turn at OB. I’ve seen fins break off with barely a tap. But I guess it definately keeps you guys in the repair business going strong! To the original post…I have Futures and love them. Whatever you do do not get FCS! -John
I look around and there are more new fin systems all the time. There’s a new lock type system there using on tow in boards that looks bullet proof, If you’re looking for tried and true you have to go with either Future or RedX. It really a crap shoot between the two. Personally I like Future but have a hard look and go with the one you think you can manage best. Good Surfin’, Rich
The choice is yours to make. Some people don’t care for FCS just because it’s an Aussie product. But they must be doing something right because 75 to 80 percent of the boards manufactured in Hawaii use FCS.
The choice is yours to make. Some people don’t care for FCS just because > it’s an Aussie product. But they must be doing something right because 75 > to 80 percent of the boards manufactured in Hawaii use FCS. Just because more people drive Volkswagons than Porsches does not necessarily mean that Volkswagon makes a better product.
But they must be doing something right because 75 > to 80 percent of the boards manufactured in Hawaii use FCS. Yes, it’s called great marketing and distribution. Next question. -John
Kokua Fiberglass what are you talking about? Just because fcs is bigger doesn’t mean its better. Tom hit it on that one. FCS use’t topay people to say it good and give it away. Now they are so big they only care about themselves. FCS is still a good system, its easy and keeps repair shops goin. They just have really good marketing. But now you notice people are switching to RedX. Pros are switching to try it and loving it. Best example Kelly Slater. FCS tried sueing Redx because Kelly was using RedX. But just because a pro uses it doesn’t make it any better. But if a multi world champ pro getting paid from FCS switched to RedX on his own, thats odd don’t you think? Go RedX!!
WHOOOAAA, fellas! Didn’t mean to start anything. I usually ride single fins anyways! I was just wanting an easy to install multi-fin system for the times I did need it. I have a board with O’fishl works fine. I have a board with FCS works fine. A buddy has Futures, works fine. I just want one that I won’t screw up trying to install. But really, thanks for all the input and I will keep ya posted on which I decide and how the first installation goes. Anybody got a used install kit they want to unload?
Like I said, the choice is yours. I’ve just seen to many ripped out rails to use red-x. They might work where you guys surf but they don’t really cut it here.
Ripped out tails eh? Must be a lot of them if you aren’t using them. How many FCS repairs you do? Do you own FCS by any chance?
They work,they’re the cheapest,and easiest to install.Herb.