| There are many types of surfboard fin systems to | | | | most surfboards come with that type of fin box. |
| choose from. Choosing the one that you want is an | | | | FCS makes a huge selection of fins. For fins with a |
| important part of choosing your surfboard. Fin | | | | softer edge try Pro-Tech. The are compatible with |
| characteristics as well as the brand of fin system are | | | | the FCS boxes. Installation is with a simple allen (hex) |
| to be considered. | | | | key. |
| Most surfboards today come with the removable, as | | | | - Future - Probably the second most popular fin |
| opposed to glassed-in, type of fin. Most brands do | | | | system in the US. They have some of the lightest fin |
| not have cross compatible boxes. Boxes are the | | | | boxes around, weighing in at about 26 grams/box. |
| devices that hold the fin on the surfboard. This | | | | There are fins system for just about any type of |
| makes it important to choose the system you want, | | | | surfboard out there. In particular, Future fins has an |
| as it affects all your future fin choices for that | | | | excellent selection of of Quad fins. There are also |
| surfboard. | | | | plenty of foils to choose from such as Vector, |
| First, consider these fin characteristics: | | | | Vector 2, and the Scimitar. Future fins also install with |
| - Depth - The maximum height of a fin as measured | | | | a simple allen key. |
| from the bottom surface of the board. This shows | | | | - Lokbox - These surfboard fins have one significant |
| how far the fin goes in the water. The hold of the | | | | advantage over most other fin systems; they are |
| surfboard increases with more depth but generally | | | | adjustable. You can slide them forward and back to |
| makes it harder to turn as well. 3-4 inch depth is | | | | find the sweet spot for you. They are easily |
| standard on tri-fins and longboard single fins typically | | | | adjusted with a slotted screwdriver. |
| have a depth of nine inches. | | | | - O'Fish'L - This is a snap in fin system. For those that |
| - Template - The fin outline. | | | | love to experiment, this might be the fin system for |
| - Base - The length of the fin where it joins the | | | | you. You could even slap some fins in your |
| surfboard. Increasing length adds forward drive, but | | | | boardshorts and change them in the water. |
| makes it harder to turn. Shortboard tri-fins usually | | | | - 4WFS - The "Four Way Fin System". Four ways as |
| have a 3.5-4.5 inch base, longboard single fins are | | | | in forward/back, cant/flair, toe-in/toe-out, or an |
| about 6 inches. | | | | entire fin replacement. The only problem with this |
| - Foil - The horizontal curve of the fin, measured | | | | system is there are so many choices you might go |
| from the front edge to trailing edge. | | | | crazy tweaking just one set of fins. |
| - Rake - The distance between the trailing edge of | | | | If your having a surfboard custom shaped for you, |
| the fin base and the fin tip. This is the swept back | | | | another consideration is the type of fin system the |
| characteristic of the fin. Increasing rake increases | | | | shaper has worked with before. It might be better |
| traction. | | | | to go with one he or she knows well rather than risk |
| - Tip - The top third of the fin. More tip means more | | | | an incorrect installation of an unfamiliar one. |
| hold. | | | | With so many choices of fins/companies available, |
| - Flex - Stiff fins are faster but flexible fins are easier | | | | you shouldn't have a problem finding something close |
| to turn. | | | | to what you want. Study the different brands. They |
| Second, consider the brands of surfboard fins | | | | should have descriptions of the type of surf particular |
| available: | | | | fins work best in. They usually have charts available |
| - FCS - These fins are the most widely used | | | | for recommended weights of riders as well. |
| surfboard fins in the world. The great things about | | | | Once you have a system you like, it's nice if all your |
| FCS fins are the huge variety and the availability. You | | | | surfboards use those types of fins. It makes it easier |
| can almost always find a replacement at the nearest | | | | and cheaper to build a decent collection of fins that |
| surf shop. Since FCS is the most common fin system, | | | | you can swap around and enjoy. |