Just putting it out there.

Interesting thread regarding the two fin systems. Has anyone had any additional pros and cons since this first kicked off. i would love some feedback as may need to make the hard decision on which one in the not too distant future ( or FCS LOL)

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Surf69 said..
Just putting it out there.

Interesting thread regarding the two fin systems. Has anyone had any additional pros and cons since this first kicked off. i would love some feedback as may need to make the hard decision on which one in the not too distant future ( or FCS LOL)

Ive got FCS 2 in my new 6,3 JS. I have cracked the front of the rear plug on a shallow reef. Its not bad but it cracked easily, it wasn't a massive hit with a very small chip in the fin.

But other than that its great no key is great, they are a bit tight at first but they get loser over time.

Futures have the same problem from what I've seen.

And they have the screws there if it does become an issue of slop box.

I have fcs2 on three boards. Love them.

The little rubber gap fillers on fcs2 never seem to want to sit flush for me...in that there's always a little bit protruding over the edge of the plug.
Not that its going to make a difference to my surfing...keeping in mind I have a legrope dragging around behind me and all.
Come to think of it.
That could be the next big money spinner in surf hardware...figuring out how to eliminate leg rope drag.
Beyond not wearing one that is...

I am a recent convert and love them. A shame as most of my boards are futures but over time these will be phased out going forward. I do a fair bit of travel so the fcs2 setup rocks.

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Cuttlefish said...
The little rubber gap fillers on fcs2 never seem to want to sit flush for me...in that there's always a little bit protruding over the edge of the plug.
Not that its going to make a difference to my surfing...keeping in mind I have a legrope dragging around behind me and all.
Come to think of it.
That could be the next big money spinner in surf hardware...figuring out how to eliminate leg rope drag.
Beyond not wearing one that is...

I thought the same. And with my OCD it drove me nuts for several months. Then I flipped them over and they sat flush. Try that. The bottom becomes the top but the arrows face in the correct direction.

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thedrip said..

Cuttlefish said...
The little rubber gap fillers on fcs2 never seem to want to sit flush for me...in that there's always a little bit protruding over the edge of the plug.
Not that its going to make a difference to my surfing...keeping in mind I have a legrope dragging around behind me and all.
Come to think of it.
That could be the next big money spinner in surf hardware...figuring out how to eliminate leg rope drag.
Beyond not wearing one that is...

I thought the same. And with my OCD it drove me nuts for several months. Then I flipped them over and they sat flush. Try that. The bottom becomes the top but the arrows face in the correct direction.

I trimmed mine with a razor, they sit perfect now. Don't use them much tho as the FCS2 fins are great

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Cuttlefish said..
The little rubber gap fillers on fcs2 never seem to want to sit flush for me...in that there's always a little bit protruding over the edge of the plug.
Not that its going to make a difference to my surfing...keeping in mind I have a legrope dragging around behind me and all.
Come to think of it.
That could be the next big money spinner in surf hardware...figuring out how to eliminate leg rope drag.
Beyond not wearing one that is...

I use a farking comp leggie and works well. Got a Balin for bigger stuff tho.

I've only just recently picked up a board with FCS2 and I played around with the little tabs.
Came to the conclusion that I was just being tight
Picked up a set of JW FCS2
Feels great on the beachies with the smaller centre fin keeping the board feeling loose.
Probably compares with the popular plastic Kelly fins of old

Cheers guys
people sound pretty happy with them. Think I'll give them a bash.

I'm having issues with small cracks around the front of the box, and rear as well actually.

Kind of like what future boxes do but worse.

Anyone else had this problem?

I've got the fcsII set up in a 6'7" from Stuart Paterson at PCC. He gave me a set of Jeremy Flores Mediums for a little more than the generic fins would have been, which I find pretty good up to about head high and a half. Any bigger and I go to a set of Raptor R7s from the Gold Coast. The Raptors tend to provide more drive down the line while the JFs are better for whipping tight turns.

Have had to do a repair from forcing the tail fin up into the front section of the plug which cracked the base of the plug, ( the part closest to the deck). It was a hassle as 'surf shops' don't stock replacement plugs, meaning I had to schlep around hunting one down from a factory. The repair itself wasn't any harder than replacing the old style plug and haven't had any trouble since.

My nephew is about to pick up a board with Futures bases, so will post further feedback if any arises...

I read on the FCS website that every WCT comp was won last year by a surfer on the FCS 2 set up
Their claiming it

I bet they don't let them ride anything else.

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TimKay said..
I read on the FCS website that every WCT comp was won last year by a surfer on the FCS 2 set up
Their claiming it

The pros use futures as well but FCS is more popular.

Interesting read and feedback all! I'm in the market for a new weapon

I cant comment because I only have the original FCS, and to be honest I don't experiment with different fins. I find what works and stick with it. If Im sliding around or need more drive I use a different board. Its a lot easier and cheaper to focus on technique ;)

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DARTH said...

TimKay said..
I read on the FCS website that every WCT comp was won last year by a surfer on the FCS 2 set up
Their claiming it

The pros use futures as well but FCS is more popular.

Wonder what the difference in sponsorship budget is too.

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SP said..

DARTH said...

TimKay said..
I read on the FCS website that every WCT comp was won last year by a surfer on the FCS 2 set up
Their claiming it

The pros use futures as well but FCS is more popular.

Wonder what the difference in sponsorship budget is too.

Massive I would expect, JJF uses Futures and a few have moved from Futures to FCS2 as well.

I cracked the base of a plug recently too. It also cracked up one side of the plug. Was not a massive hit, on sand.

95% of the glass around the plug was fine, very little damage. But the plug cracked and no longer holds a fin properly. No option but to cut the plug out and replace.

I guess on the old/original FCS the plug would have pulled straight out.

I think I prefer Futures.

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DARTH said..
Ive got FCS 2 in my new 6,3 JS. I have cracked the front of the rear plug on a shallow reef. Its not bad but it cracked easily, it wasn't a massive hit with a very small chip in the fin.

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indogus said..
Have had to do a repair from forcing the tail fin up into the front section of the plug which cracked the base of the plug, ( the part closest to the deck).

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bene313 said..
I cracked the base of a plug recently too. It also cracked up one side of the plug. Was not a massive hit, on sand.

95% of the glass around the plug was fine, very little damage. But the plug cracked and no longer holds a fin properly. No option but to cut the plug out and replace.

I guess on the old/original FCS the plug would have pulled straight out.

I think I prefer Futures.

DARTH said..
Ive got FCS 2 in my new 6,3 JS. I have cracked the front of the rear plug on a shallow reef. Its not bad but it cracked easily, it wasn't a massive hit with a very small chip in the fin.

indogus said..
Have had to do a repair from forcing the tail fin up into the front section of the plug which cracked the base of the plug, ( the part closest to the deck).

Its an easy fix but I would rather the fin break/snap rather than the plug/box pull out or crack.

Imo I think the FCS2 system will last longer in terms of how the fin sits in the box. Futures seem to get lose after a while (side to side movement)

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bene313 said..
I cracked the base of a plug recently too. No option but to cut the plug out and replace.

High density inserts FTW.

Over 12 months since i got my first board with fcs 2. I haved recently moved that board on but no issues at all with the fin boxes. I now have another 3 boards with fcs 2. Firewire, js and js hifi. Not an issue with any of them. As was mentioned further up they are a bit tight to get your fins in when you first get them but get easier pretty quick. I've chipped fins paddling out over shallow country with out damaging the fin boxes so from my experience they hold up as good as any off the others on offer. I always use a towel, boardies or something to put them in/out to protect your hand. I make sure to rock them forwards and back to bed them in under the front pin when putting them in. Seems to help them pop in. I run the medium performers and large Mick Fannings which covers everything for me. Each to there own but I'm sold.