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
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?
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.
... 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 
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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????
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.
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.
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...
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...
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
