So in a fraction of a second and with the tiniest little jolt, and my PB fin was gone at the weekend, some brass thread material being the only bits left of it, still hanging to the fin screw. I'd hit something hard at speed and so it was instantly bye bye fin.
A quick Google reveals replacing these things with the OEM version seems very difficult - they appear to be as rare as hen's teeth. Some dealers have them, but mostly they show as being permanently out of stock.
Severne, for example, state that their F-series fin is specifically designed to work with and even optimise the performance of the Fox. Yet if I'd hit the submerged object with a Fox, and lost my fin to depths, that would be it forever now. I literally would not be able find a potential spare fin in the correct size for this board anywhere in the world outside of Europe.
Similarly, Tabou say they have the shape and flex of their fins optimised for each of their boards, and anecdotally - at least with the people I've talked to - they generally struggle to find a better G10 fin than the OEM one supplied with these boards, yet OEM replacements are virtually impossible to find.
A fin is a 'consumable' item that massively influences enjoyment on the water - why do board manufacturers appear to make it so hard to find replacement OEM fins specifically designed to work with their boards?
Many people don't use the stock fin. You just keep it for when you sell the board later. You generally can get better performance by using alternative fins so it's worth trying something that is readily available. There are many companies that produce fins so you shouldn't have issues to pick something up.
Most fins are produced in the same factory as the boards and are probably not available as a separate item, hence nobody stocks these. You might be able to preorder one via your dealer but it's probably more expensive than getting a decent fin from MFC or similar for freeride and wave. For the Fox, go with a decent carbon fin to upgrade the board to a racing machine.
You might also want to inspect your fin box for any damages caused by the impact. You're probably lucky that the fin gave and not the box.
ptsf1111 said: You're probably lucky that the fin gave and not the box.
But that's the whole idea of having a stainless steel fin screw tightened in a brass fin nut.
On impact, the threads of the brass nut shear, saving the fin box (most of the time).
Hope this helps.
Years ago I hit sand at probably 15kts board speed. The tuttle box fin broke off level with the board. Screws weren't affected. The box wasn't damaged either, but I've never found a replacement fin. It was a Select 30cm slalom in a Bic FV1-S board. If anyone happens to have one sitting around that they are willing to sell, I might bring the board back into use.
I'm totally sold on PB fins now, to be honest - I barely felt a thing! First thing I knew about it - suddenly the board was sliding sideways. The only thing left was some bits of brass in the screw thread, which shows it must've done its job. Tracing my path backward I found a massive submerged tree trunk, only 15cm below the water 
If I'd hit that with my Tuttle fin, I'd probably be in hospital now. Close call...
Good idea about checking the fin box. I gave it a quick look over, and everything seemed in order, but I'll give it a close inspection now.
I must be the only weirdo then who loves OEM fins. I have full carbon ones, but no way am I going to use a $700 fin at a spot I'm not 100% sure of not touching the bottom. Every other spot gets the stock OEM G10 fins, which in my experience are 90% good as the full carbon ones. Hence, wanting to replace like for like. Seems it's generally not possible.
Well it might be available. Is it the Fox stock fin you're after? If you're in Australia, give Paul/ Revolution board sports a call. He might be able to help out.
Thanks! The Fox fin query was more a hypothetical one. What if I totalled a Fox fin. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that!
By some miracle I have now managed to source a replacement OEM fin for my other board, but that was a lucky outcome.
I think many of us have stock fins laying around. What would you be willing to pay for it? Maybe folks can advertise these on SB. I've got quite a few laying around in nearly new condition that I would never use so happy so sell these but wouldn't think there's a market for it.
