fin choices

There have been a bunch of threads on this, go to the search bar and type in FCS or Futures and you'll get a lot. Main difference I notice is one screw v. 2 screws for install and the Futures leave no gaps between fin and board. Most people don't notice the differece. I like Futures, but basically a personal preference.

If you're getting a custom, futures has some cool colored fin boxes. Congrats on your purchase. Enjoy it.

 

Both work just fine, i'd ask your shaper what he intends to use on the fin box. Mine came with the 5-Fusion FCS convertible because that's what works best with the technology used on Coils, and I love it, can go tri or quad. I picked up some FCS TC Aqualines that are money. You can't go wrong with either though, so I'd just talk to your shaper and see what he thinks works best with his boards.

 

essentially:
fcs=lighter system, but gappy bases on fins
future=bulkier, but more "glass-on" feel

most people probably won't be able to tell any performance difference between the two (mostly mental). Let your shaper decide what fins (actual fins, not system) he thinks might be best for your specific board shape and that'll narrow your system choice.

 

futures. actually lighter and more solid. less resin used setting fins. don't have to be tied into the deck which - with fcs - causes plugs to 'volcano' on the deck side. boards just last longer with futures. fin guy (installer) likes em better too. there is also probox. check them out. good system. a tiny bit heavier but worth it and you prob won't notice the weight.
that being said, fcs is fine for the most part, but bump em on anything and you have the leading or trail edge of the fin poking into the board. but they all work pretty good.

 

gaps on the base fins for FCS. And ESPECIALLY on custom board, FCS boxes can cause problems pretty soon after a purchase. Depending how hard you surf your board and how many floaters/airs you actually try and stomp out, the pressure from your back foot can dig down into the board and get bad leakage from the tops of the FCS fin boxes. Back in and around 2005 I had 3 different board from 2 different shapers and I stomped right through the tops of the fin boxes, even with a tail pad properly positioned on the edges of them... Once that happens, your board is toast. It will never be the same again. You can fix it, but it wont act properly...

I think FCS fins themselves are better and have better choices, but the actual construction and design of the whole future fin system is better. Far less potential problems with them.

 

yup. the dreaded FCS volcanos. you can fend it off for a while with carbon strips over the plugs, but it will happen. ultimately, nothing beats glass-on fins, but futures are as close as you can get. and the whole fin base is connected to the fin tab. FCS it's just the 2 tabs. plus, futures catalog of fins is growing rather fast. anybody involved with manufacturing (unless they can't fit, i.e a channel-bottom) will tell you to go with futures.

 

I don't believe futures are lighter. Both systems claim they're lightest, but there is no proof. Any "extra resin" with FCS is probably offset by less material in the plugs and less material in their fin's base...plus FCS fins are just a little more refined/thinner than the others (red X are the clunkiest I've ever had).

I still lean toward futures just for the solid/continuous base on their fins. The gaps on FCS fins are old tech and tend to get seaweed and stuff stuck in there...now that's drag.

 

Just to throw another idea out there... On my last board, the shaper made a compelling case for LokBox fins. The fin selection isn't as deep as FCS or Future, but it's still pretty good... and they make an adapter so you can use FCS fins with them anyway (haven't tested yet).

The advantage to them is that you can adjust the fins a half inch forward and back so the front fins are in the right place whether you are riding it as a quad or thruster. If you aren't getting a convertible, this isn't as much of an advantage, but you can still adjust your back fins(s) to change the feel of the board.

 

lokbox is a good system. i think taylor knox is a partial owner? the install sucks though. probox also allows 1/4" fore and aft movement, plus you can change the cant (0,4,6,8) and use FCS.

 

bull****. for a competent glasser, the install for futures, fcs, or lok-box should be just as easy. anyone who says otherwise is putting you on.
interesting that no one has brought up fcs fusions...not "welded" to the deck like the plugs, so no push through issues. they allow a bit of adjustability, allow a bit more tail flex than futures, but less than fcs plugs, & are installed pre-glassing (like futures & lok-box), which is the strongest possible fix box install method.

 

I've got CI lok-box on the retro fish. You guys think I should glass them in? I pamper that board and aim to keep it pristine so it's not like I'm beating the bag out of it.

 

yeah yeah... most fin guys, or whoever is setting them, perfer futures. don't have to think about sh!t. no vaccum jigs, dummy jigs, playdoh or tape. it always cracked me up that lokbox suggests using a vaccaum jig for installs. kinda dramatic. nobody really does that though. sh!t, all fin systems are better (as in less time consuming, cleaner) then glass-ons. your packing the bong before you know it. barely need to put your beer down. so actually, i like them all.

i agree lokbox is a good system. i wish they caught on a little more. the whole fcs vs futures tail flex thing is so minimal it's barely worth mentioning. maybe wqs/wct guys riding single 4oz decks feel it, but most normal people don't notice. i remember a fcs rep going on and on about it once to the point where dudes were laughing in his face. fcs had some total kooks for reps a while back, but i bet/hope that's changed. yes, fusions are good too. im glad fcs put them out. how fun was setting x2 fcs plugs in EPS? get the ice ready

 

FCS Fusions can't be beat. FCS X-2 is super strong as well when installed correctly. Most glass shops cut corners and don't install them correctly.
Both FCS systems are approximately 22% stronger than futures boxes per this strength test video. We see this futures box failure weekly at the shop for ding repairs.

~Brian
www.greenlightsurfsupply.com
Shape Your Surfing Experience

 

how shocking. a video put out by FCS says FCS is the best. by someone who carries the full range of FCS products and barely anything from futures expect only the older version boxes. too easy to rig that video setup. it's made for marketing purposes. just sayin

 

I hate to get off task but have to agree with the TCs. I run them in a quad sting fish and love em.....Tried them in a standard short and but they had to much cant and slowed it down. For a quad fish id use them everytime. As far as futures vs fcs its a toss up really. Futures has more fin options for there brand but many companies, kinetic racing, true ames. arcade etc.....all make fins that are fcs compatible. If you change to the new fcs plugs you will still be able to use old fins with them as well.

 

FCS Fusions are my top choice right now. Very simple install. Super light. Super strong. A no-brainer for the sander (improper sanding is almost as bad as improper installation). And FCS fins are all solid designs and construction. The only thing I don't like about them is the two screw system. One screw designs are better, IMO.

 

I always wondered why futures put the screw in the front. Seems more aerodynamic to be behind the fin, but maybe the rake of some fins would get in the way of your hand while screwing (?)

 

futures putting the screw in front makes perfect sense because the trailing edge of the fin is always in the same spot on the box. gotta hinge in there. futures box is roughly 4.5" but some fins have smaller or bigger bases. AM2's for example, at 4.75, are kinda run up above the screw whole, where as f4's at 4.25 (i think) are shy of it.

besides, water runs over more then you'd think. i.e., empty fin boxes trip people out and they think it's gonna affect something. reality is the water just passes over with little trouble.

 

Thinking outside the boxxxx!!! Are you going to dip them in resin or spray them with polyclear cote? Please keep me updated. I will buy a set (if they are less than a couple dollar). Please advise. ;-)