Glassed in fins

that's all we had back in the old days. great solid craft feel...but if there's any problems with the ride or humming, you're stuck. Lot of pros still insist on them (andy irons only used glass-ons)

main reason I prefer removable fins is travel and storage...the option to change fin models isn't a big deal with me (I usually just use the fins that came with the board anyhow)

 

If you know what fins you like on that particular board, go for it. The performance can't be beat, IMO.

 

Future fins have no gap between the fin and the board, just like glassed on fins, but you can change fins for different conditions. They wont pop out of your board like a FCS set up can do in heavy situations. Glassed on fins are really cool, but if you ding one its a problem fixing it, where a fin system you can replace it. One time I remember having these hi tech carbon future fins in my backpack, and I was too lazy to change them out with the plastic ones the board came with. One session it was firing, and my board wasn't making sections, and the fins were humming, so I finally changed fins. Lo and behold, I was flying around sections, getting into pockets and shredding and going really fast, and I laughed my ass off at my own ignorance. Do not be tricked into thinking you have the right fins for your board until you try a few combos. On big days, I have a 6'6" Orion swallowtail that is too loose for a big drop when I use the G 3s or even G 5s. So I plug in my old Sunny Garcias and it holds big bottom turns. When it gets smaller, like waist to chest, I can put a small trailer fin in the back and throw tail. so keep you options open and get a removable fin system. I recommend Future shapes cause they are almost like glass ons, but more fun.

 

I don't think it's worth it. You might feel a little difference, but the convenience of switching fins and removing for travel outweighs the performance... If that becomes your "go to" board it will be a pain in the ass when you want to travel with it.
I had a board made with glass ons of the fins I prefer and I feel no difference between that board and the one I have with FCS.

 

Glass-on fins have the stiffest base possible (they're part of the board) and transfer force most efficiently. Some finbox systems have stiffer bases than others but chances are you wouldn't feel the difference between any fin system vs. glass-ons

~Brian
www.greenlightsurfsupply.com
Shape Your Surfing Experience

 

I have a board with glass ons that killls it however i want to take it on a trip and i dont think itll make it through any advicee

 

That's pretty much the norm for Bonzers... glassed on side runners and a box for a 6-7" bonzer fin.

 

Glass ons look cooler, but it sure sucks to have to pay for board repair in the event you snap a fin off. Easier to just pull the broken off nubs out of the fin box and to slide in another fin. I like the option to switch fins personally. I have had a lot of success and fun trying different fins from the ones that came standard on a number of my boards. Like one of the above said, when its smaller surf, having a small trailer, or trailers (quad) will loosen up the board and make it super fun. If you have a few boards already, screw it, get some glass ons. If you're getting a bonzer, I assume you already have some standard boards in your quiver.

 

This. I have snapped way to many fins surfing low tide way to far into a sandbar and tried to cut back into the wave and snap.... most time its just the fins and one time I lost a fin housing (cost me $75 total for the housing and the fins).

I wouldn't want to know the repair cost on glassed fins...I have two boards in my quiver that have glassed fins. One is my oldest short board I kept from when I was a grom that my kids use and I have a semi-gun that also has glass fins but I have only used it twice since its not needed much here and I have another gun I travel with..... with FCS housings.

 

If you pack your board properly, you can travel with a board with glassed on fins. Get three blocks of stiff foam (like 6" x 6" x 6" blocks) cut out fin slots into the blocks and just shove the foam blocks over the fins so the blocks are flush with the board and the fins are completely inside the foam blocks. Duct tape to secure the blocks in place, cardboard panel over the blocks/fin cluster, more tape. layer carpet padding around the back of the board. Done and secure. It sounds like a lot of effort but will take 30 minutes (or maybe a few hours), and your board with glass-ons will be fine.

 

as LBCrew stated, that's the norm for bonzers. i've never had any issues traveling w/ them, & i've trucked my bonzers all over the place, costa, panama, maldives...never a problem whatsoever. those little side fins are so low profile that it's really hard for even the most determined of baggage handlers to apply the requisite force necessary to damage them through a well-packed boardbag.
what kind of bonzer are you thinking about getting? pm me if you don't want to go off-topic; i'm kind of a bonzer nerd.

 

Replacing a fin is pretty much the same as replacing a fin box... shops might tell you otherwise, but in my own experience not much of a difference. If I hit a rock the whole box goes... not just the fin. Just my two pennies.

 

Yeah Alrighty makes sense and it'll definitely help out thanks again Mitchell

 

Funny this is brought up. I just picked up a used Byrne with glassed on fins in great shape that I couldn't pass up.

 

I'm a big fan of the FCS Fusion setup, I like being able to switch from Tri to Quad depending on the conditions / preference that day. Also like others have said, in the event of traveling or a repair it's so much easier to deal with, and don't think you'll notice much of a difference. Trying different fins seemed foreign to me until recently, now I know how much something as simple as a different fin setup can make all the difference in the world.

 

I've got two HPSB's with glassed-ons. Very chippy and thin so I've yet to ride them. Are glassed-ons equally good for every type of board?

As for repair, I know fin placement and structure has immense implications on ride and performance. That said, I think a lot more people could do their own repair work if they put the time into it. It takes se board knowledge plus a minimal amount of handiwork skills. Get a beater, cloth and resin and patch up a bunch of dings, sand em down and you're that much closer to never needing professional board repair again. Now a board broken in half...can't say that's a household task. But it seems like the jury is out on if that's even a good way to go.

 

i think you've hit the nail on the head here...in my experience, most people don't have the patience or the interest to properly fix their own dings. then they bring it to the shop where i work & ask for an estimate & balk. everyone wants it done cheap, but they want it too look like nothing ever happened. sorry kiddies, professional work takes time & costs $$$.