what about switching fins

[surfingislife]

Hey I want to thank you guys for the help with the whole "Tail Grip" thing but now I have a question about changing from "Plastered in fins" to "Removable fins" I've asked a couple of people about this and I've got some diffrent answers one of the guys I asked told me to just save up my money and go buy a new board with already "Removable fins" so does any body out there have any suggestions for me.

Thanks for the help in Advance,
surfingislife.

[Rich]

SGL,
Bud could probably tell you more bout this subject, but here is some gouge. Fixed fins are no longer practical for many reasons, one is traveling to another country with fixed fins on an aircraft you risk the danger of the board being damaged for obvious reasons. two, switching up fins gives the board a different feel for example in bigger surf with a smaller board you want fins that will help your board stick to the wave more when you turn and vise versa when the waves are small and soft. There's prolly a lot more reasons out there, hope this helps!
loha,
Rich

[Bud]

Rich I think he's asking whether it's worth it to remove glassed on fins and install a removeable fin system. I have to agree with your friend's advice, - maybe it can be done, but I'd be surprised if someone could properly remove and then properly install new removeable fin system (onto a used board) and make it worth the cost, time and effort.

[blahlah]

I'm not totally sure, but I think if you are willing to pay a few hundred bucks for an FCS installation kit, you will eventually get your money back if you like to play around with your fins. A guy that I see out in the lineup shapes his own boards and is constantly playing around with his fin set ups, changing the position of the FCS fin boxes and everything.

But if you are planning to take it to a repair shop or something, I agree with Bud - it wouldn't be worth the cost.

I also want to say that I think glass on fins have some advantages, especially if you are not planning on travelling. I think they last longer and that FCS type fins tend to break more easily.

If you get a board with FCS custom made, you might want to ask for extra heavy glass on the top of the board, over the fin boxes, as I have noticed that the plugs tend to punch through the light glassing. Just my 2 cents.

[Rich]

uh... duh boy is my face red, sorry..

[parko]

I wouldn't recommend fcs, pain in the ass if you ask me. Go with redx or futures.

[olly]

I don't think you can just buy fcs fin plugs unless you're a registered shaper or something... i may be wrong about that just something i heard. the cheap way is to grab a snapped board and rip out the fin plugs, drill big nasty holes in your board and glass 'em in yourself. but it's going to be tricky and, unless you've got some serious skills, heavy. i'd save up and buy a new board like your friend said. i think futures are best too.