CHOOSING SURFBOARD FIN SET-UPS.

CHOOSING BETWEEN FIN SET-UP SYSTEMS

FIN SYSTEMS AND FIN BOXES

FUTURES (Single Tab/1 Tab)
FCS (Double Tab/2 Tab)
FCS II (Double Tab/2 Tab)

THE TWO MAIN FIN SYSTEMS ARE FUTURES AND FCS (FCSI)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIN SYSTEMS

FCS (FCSII) SYSTEM (Double Tab/2 Tab)

FCS stands for Fin Control System, designed in the 1990’s and was designed to perform at the highest level.

THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

The Surfer
The Surfboard
The Wave

Characteristics of FCS Fins is the two tabs.

1^st Generation of FCS Fin System you need to set the screw to remove or install the fins.

2^nd Generation of FCS Fin System you no longer need a key to attach the fin to your board it just clicks into the fin box.

FUTURES (Single Tab/1Tab)

Considered to user-friendly and to simplify the setup. Future fins has a solid base and a strong connection to the board instead of using a plug like FCS. It is quick and easy to use and have set screws that hold the fins in place.

FIN SETUP & DIFFERENCES

Single fin
Single fin + 2 (2+1)
Twin Fin (2 Fin)
Thruster (3 Fin)
Quad (4 Fin)
Tri-Quad (5 Fin)

You choose the setup according to the fin boxes in your surfboard.

SINGLE FIN

A single fin is most used for fast and straight down the line surfing. Most common with longboards. Placement more forward will give you a looser feel, putting it more back will give you more control.

SINGLE FIN + 2 (2+1)

To add a two smaller fins with you single fin.

TWIN FIN (2 Fins)

Twins will give you more speed and allows you to have playful manoeuvres. Most common with Fishtails. Not for big-wave surfing.

THURSTERS (3 Fins)

Will give you more control, stability and manoeuvrability and is found on a variety of surfboards. A thruster fin box mean you can also change between a single fin and twin fin set-up. Suitable for beginners to experts.

QUAD (4 Fins)

A quad fin set-up will give you speed and tight turns by channelling the water to the end of the surfboard. The two fins close to your surfboard rails give stability and hold in big-wave surfing.

TRI-QUAD (5 Fins)

Give you a mix and match setup to match the best surf experience depending on the wave breaks. Best all-rounder.

TECHNICAL

CHARACTERISTICS OF FINS

Sweep/Rake

Fins with more sweep or rake gives a longer turning arc. Less sweep will offer a tighter turn.

Base Length

The largest part of the fin that mount into the fin box. The larger the base the more drive the fin will have in the bottom turns. When the base is increased it will make a difference in the drive you feel out of your turns. A smaller base will give you a sharper turn.

Foil

A foil is a cross section of the fin that effects how water flows across it. Different foils will result in different speed, conditions and performance feel.

Flex

A flexier fin will provide a skatier feel with a more playful surf. A stiff fin are ideal for the faster or hollow waves.

Depth/Height

The more depth will result in more hold. The shorter the depth the more your board will slide and release. The deeper the fin, the more leverage when rolling onto the rail. Greater height aids stability and overall hold, just like increasing the area.

Fin Cant

Fin Cant is the degree of outside angle a fin has in relation to the bottom of your surfboard. The less the cant the more your acceleration. The more cant will give you more maneuverability.

CHOOSING FINS