Snapping FCS fins - solution?

> 10 years ago
Reply
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
meatpie
meatpie
WA
42 posts
WA, 42 posts
22 Nov 2013 9:22am
G'day all,

I have snapped three FCS fins on my quad in only a few sessions. It's the same fin position every time being the front left fin. I imagined this is because that fin takes most of the lateral force when I turn hard on my preferred stance.

I think there's two solutions. Either I get a heap of cheap fins and keep replacing them every time they break or what about these? http://www.shapers.com.au/products/Darc-Drive-%28Quad-Centre-Fin%29-Dual-Tab.html

Smaller fins on the front with large ones on the back isn't usually the way it's supposed to be set up but atleast the smaller fin has less chance of snapping with less surface area. What do you think?

Cheers
Kozzie
Kozzie
QLD
1451 posts
QLD, 1451 posts
22 Nov 2013 11:25am
positive you are not hitting sandbars?
waveslave
waveslave
WA
4263 posts
WA, 4263 posts
22 Nov 2013 9:42am
meatpie said..

G'day all,

I have snapped three FCS fins on my quad in only a few sessions. It's the same fin position every time being the front left fin. I imagined this is because that fin takes most of the lateral force when I turn hard on my preferred stance.

I think there's two solutions. Either I get a heap of cheap fins and keep replacing them every time they break or what about these? http://www.shapers.com.au/products/Darc-Drive-%28Quad-Centre-Fin%29-Dual-Tab.html

Smaller fins on the front with large ones on the back isn't usually the way it's supposed to be set up but atleast the smaller fin has less chance of snapping with less surface area. What do you think?

Cheers


Glass on that troublesome front-left fin.

meatpie
meatpie
WA
42 posts
WA, 42 posts
22 Nov 2013 9:54am
Yep, have never bottomed out on the board. The first two fins were nice flexi ones and the third was a cheap, stiff plastic one. Waveslave what do you mean by glass on the fin?
blueprint
blueprint
WA
321 posts
WA, 321 posts
22 Nov 2013 10:26am
Where is the break on the fin? what does it look like? couple of photo's would help to possibly identify how they are failing and what might be causing.
Puetz
Puetz
NT
2186 posts
NT, 2186 posts
22 Nov 2013 12:08pm
... I've had the same thing happen only it was my right front one (I love lefts) and same same, never bottomed out so I know its just the pressure its put under. I got a new fin set (slightly bigger by a few millimeter) and now wonder, what about the box, is that going to break???

Logically speaking (seeing as I haven't actually tried it), but the NUB fin will help by not breaking, but, I'm sure you'd upset the boards ride????

Anyway, I'd be interested if you could try it, let us know how it goes, might end up really really loose!!!

cheers,

Robbie
etoh
etoh
WA
16 posts
WA, 16 posts
22 Nov 2013 12:28pm
I don't think the knub fin will help you much. It's designed to be the fifth fin in a quad setup, and smooth out the quad feel. It's pretty small and wouldn't give you as much drive or hold as a side fin.

I agree it might be cheaper replacing the occasional fin than fixing fin boxes that roll out, but if your not hitting anything and your breaking your fins off at the tabs you might want to try powerbasefins.com.au.
meatpie
meatpie
WA
42 posts
WA, 42 posts
22 Nov 2013 12:53pm
Awesome, thanks for the replies guys. The fins are breaking at the tab which as you pointed out is better then busting the fin box. Those power base fins are an epic idea! Have never seen them before. They might be the answer. Do they just plug right into the existing fin box?
iandvnt
iandvnt
QLD
581 posts
QLD, 581 posts
22 Nov 2013 4:36pm
epoxy fcs fins

futures fins are a bit too strong for kiting i find - you knock teh finboxes out if you are pinching upwind in shallow water- or open up the glass skin at the edge that starts to let water in a bit.
jeff2
jeff2
WA
221 posts
WA, 221 posts
22 Nov 2013 2:59pm
Futures fins are alot better and don't break if they are properly fitted.
Stone surf designs uses them on all his boards.
I also had problems with fcs.

zarb
zarb
NSW
703 posts
NSW, 703 posts
22 Nov 2013 9:16pm
That sounds really strange... never heard of people snapping any fins without hitting bottom, but that's only surfing. I suppose while kiting the forces on the fins are that much stronger. Next board you get, go with Futures. FCS were purpose built to be weak at the tab so you don't rip out the entire plug when you hit a bank.

gcdave
gcdave
534 posts
534 posts
22 Nov 2013 8:01pm
Ease off the meat pies or go a fin with more release?
Hunter S
Hunter S
WA
516 posts
WA, 516 posts
22 Nov 2013 9:03pm
When I started kiting I kept ripping out fins on the left side - even glassed on ones. Often I didn't even notice till I was out the back and the board felt a bit odd.

My guess is like me you might be dragging your fin in the sand when you turn to head back out to deeper water - eventually they fail

If you get futures you'll have to deal with the horrendous mess they make when you do the same thing and rip out the box - not pretty.

My suggestion - Move away from plastic FCS, try some glass ones and stay away from the shallows.

Using Futures just shifts the problem.
Capt.Gumby
Capt.Gumby
QLD
354 posts
QLD, 354 posts
23 Nov 2013 10:28am
I went through the same experience, snapped 3 plastic FCS fins (all the same side). Went to epoxy fins and problem solved.

Out of curiosity, are you surfing larger waves or smaller mush? Reason I ask is that we just get a crappy half foot wind slop at best at our local and we have to use the kite to play around on the waves (sloppy mushy rubbish that really can't be called a wave). The fins get loaded up a fair bit when hitting the slop due to using the kites power as they simply cannot be surfed. I would imagine surfing a decent wave without the need to utilize the kite as much would be a bit easier on the fins????
meatpie
meatpie
WA
42 posts
WA, 42 posts
23 Nov 2013 9:10am
Cheers guys. Next board will have futures. I'm only in very mushy stuff so as you said gumby, using the kite for power rather than the wave. This coupled with hard left turns is what's doing it. Two of the three broken fins were glass so I'll try epoxy or the power base fins.
sir ROWDY
sir ROWDY
WA
5378 posts
WA, 5378 posts
24 Nov 2013 9:08am
Sounds like all you need is a regular glass set of fcs fins. Problem solved.
jackforbes
jackforbes
WA
530 posts
WA, 530 posts
25 Nov 2013 2:01pm
Another option is to drink less milk, and your bones will give way first - I fractured my back foot on a bottom turn. Been off the water for 6 weeks but my fins are fine.
sir ROWDY
sir ROWDY
WA
5378 posts
WA, 5378 posts
26 Nov 2013 3:25pm
^^ Seems legit.
bjw
bjw
QLD
3691 posts
bjw bjw
QLD, 3691 posts
27 Nov 2013 10:25pm
+1 Drink less milk
CAUTION
CAUTION
WA
1097 posts
WA, 1097 posts
28 Nov 2013 2:03pm
Futures.
iandvnt
iandvnt
QLD
581 posts
QLD, 581 posts
28 Nov 2013 5:23pm
fffffff uuuu ck! just blew out the futures fin box on teh other side now of my fave ever board just with a hard as turn - and totally cannot find fin or box. I dont think teh way futures are installed is right - there needs to me at least 4mm of resin around the plastic to stop water teh way mine were installed were relying on plastic to resin adhesion which is 5hit. i reinstalled the other side with glue filler scraped eps through at some point and no glass - rough as but sooo strong.

Hating futures...
sir ROWDY
sir ROWDY
WA
5378 posts
WA, 5378 posts
28 Nov 2013 4:25pm
Futures aren't the answer, they are no better really.
CAUTION
CAUTION
WA
1097 posts
WA, 1097 posts
28 Nov 2013 4:49pm
finless
Stevo J
Stevo J
WA
109 posts
WA, 109 posts
28 Nov 2013 7:00pm
Same issue meatpie, I seem to snap a fin every second session. It does my head in as I know for sure that I'm not hitting sand that often! I actually paid to have futures put in my old board which was originally FCS - never snapped another fin OR took out a box. FCS on my new board and it's back to the old snaperoo far too often...
smook
smook
VIC
205 posts
VIC, 205 posts
28 Nov 2013 10:44pm
YES due to above we have been only using future box in my boards BUT they are not perfect,.for surf/ kite boards From what i have found you need to get flex fins , small as possible for your weight/ height ,, wave size and wind stength and board size I use two sizes for different conditions and board size Also we use pvc reinforcing struts across box to reinforce future box Cheers
Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply