Just curious what you prefer and why? Unfortunately, my entire quiver is pretty much FCS. Whenever i get around to buying another shortie, I'll make sure to get futures to compare. From what i've seen, it seems like futures seem to be a better engineered setup. Have you noticed a big difference? I broke some carbon fiber fins on my lost rnf due to not having the fcs screws in tight enough. From then on, i thought that was kind of a lame risk. It was my fault for not tightening them i guess, but it doesn't seem like that would happen with future fins.
probably a good thing you didn't have your fins too tight i ran over a board with my rnf yesterday and the black part that holds the fin kind of ripped up the edges of the fiberglass that holds it in place all the way around
I used to break FCS fins/boxes all the time.... ive broken one fin since i switched to futures; hit a big rock and it snapped clean in half without damaging the fin box at all, im definatly impressed with the strength and performance of futures.
As far as fin design, I think both fin systems are very good. The future boxes are stronger especially on boards thinner than 2-1/4". I have repaired many boards with fcs where the plugs have pushed thru the deck because the board was so thin. Just happens that the fins are located where most of the deck crushing occurs. I have never seen a future box push thru the deck. I have also repaired a lot of fcs plugs that were ripped out because the fins hit the bottom or a rock. However, the last several boards that I have had to repair for this have been future boxes so when it comes to hitting sh*t it really doesn't matter which box you have. The future boxes are much bigger so when they do come out it leaves a much bigger hole and therefore a larger repair. All and all I prefer futures over fcs. I just wish future would make the fin weaker at the box so that the fin would break off instead of ripping the whole box out.
if you are only considering these two systems, then i recommend the futures. the futures system distributes the stress forces to the board better due to the full base tab/box interface. the down side to futures is the way they are installed in the foam of the board, they will eventually compress the foam around the box and become loose over time. i am a board builder, and have just started to experiment with the probox fin system. one of the advantages of this system is that you can adjust your fin position in the board fore/aft as well as the cant angle. fin position has a huge affect on how your board will ride, so not only can you change the ride of your board by changing the fins but you have alot more choice with the fins you already have. the probox system will accept fcs fins, and futures (with a little trimming of the base tab) as well as having their own wide range of fins. i will get back later with a ride report on the probox, but i put them in my board for bigger surf, so it may be a bit before i get to ride it. until then, google "probox fins" and check out their website to learn more.
haha sorta, there was only 1 FCS plug left to rip out, all the others were already gone, it was a much simpler solution just to convert the board to futures... what is your point matt?
I'm open for suggestions. If there are other fin systems people like, then I'd like to hear about em. I have two O'fishl fins on my longboard for the side fins. So far they seem alright. I haven't removed them yet because i've heard the z-clips break and I don't have any spares. Plus I don't travel with it so I just leave them attached.
i used FCS fins for years, got my last board as a futures quad/tri and will not look back!! the 5 futures fin boxes works so well and versatile, esp on a swallow tail
Futures are as close as Glass ons. I think Futures are the Best fin box out today. Even FCS tried to make a fin box thats like futures but it cant compare. The V2 F4 437 Fin is the best templet for NJ.
I've been using futures for my last two boards that i've had and there hasn't been any cracks yet. I have not been disappointed with them yet.
futures. i also noticed that in the boards that have fcs...the entire fin isn't exactly flush with the glassing. the front of the fin before the first plug sticks out a little bit, plus inbetween the two plugs water can penetrate in between. now idk what that actually does to a board, but it can't help it. overall i feel that fcs has more drag, and futures seem to be more apart of the board. my favorite boards that i've ever owned had futures as well.
FCS "fins" are better. The fin boxes, BY FAR are better by future. I have stomped out many a FCS fin box. Sh**, i pulled into a mexican beach break barrel about 4 years ago, it closed out. The board never hit the bottom, yet 2 out of the 3 fins boxes just ripped clean out. took all the surrounding fiberglass with it. I have future fins on a few of my newer plus one's and they are ok. I don't care much for the fin, but I got used to it... My daily riding FCS fins were always the Blue ones with the white figure 8... Then i had the red ones to put in if I was trying beach break airs etc... But I haven't seen a future fin that performs as highly as my old FCS' did.... FCS just has sooo many options too... ****ty fin boxes though. If you use FCS fins on a short board, make sure you put your traction/stomp pad's corners over top of the two fins boxes on the side. It has preserved a lot of my boards that way. I've aligned the pad a little behind the fin boxes before and after a few winter months of surfer, the fin boxes start exposing... So, that helps too.
Thats been my experience as well. I used to have a quiver full of fcs and kept tweaking and crunching the plugs. Since switching over the futures about 5 years ago, i've had one futures fin box blow out, and it was easy to just dry the board out and reglass in the same box. FCS does have a better fin selection than Futures.
Neither. It is lockbox for me. Between futures or fcs it would have to be futures all the way. I only own two boards that are FCS and they were the only two boards I have bought off the rack. Been surfing for well over 10 years and have only bought two boards off the rack. When I put my orders in it all depends on what boxes the shapper works with. Recently it has been all futures or fcs so I pick futures (its seems as though lockbox is a westcoast thing cus the few eastcoast shappers I have been to never offer it). The reason I go with futures is cost. I think fcs fins perform better and have better foil/tech than FCS but that is not my point. For a set of FCS fins you are going to spend close to and over $100 each and every time. For Futures they have a tone of fins that are just as good as FCS that are $50. Also FCS boxs suck balls (or is it the glasser who ****s that up?) and to pay that much money for fins and bad boxes just does not sit well. Anyway after that rambleing ramble the bottom line is... surfers like you and me will NEVER be able to tell the difference between fin boxes and "most" fins. Specially because we live on the east coast where wave length is 2.3 seconds (Pump, pump, pump, turn if you are lucky) and the low frequency we get to spend in the water because we go weeks without decent waves. So go with price...and that is futures.
Futures Problem I have futures on one of my boards and the only issue I have ever had with them (even after running rocks and beaching it) were after leaving the fins in during a long winter, the screws rusted in and I had to drill them out. Other than that they are a solid system. The FCS were rattling on my drops when I rode on them last. I'd go with futures.
