Firewire Vader, Fins recommendations

[Alysum]

I'm a terrible n00b with fins but how does it work with the fin boxes FCS vs Futures ? Does the manufacturer put one or the other in the board or do you insert whatever box you like ? I've read that Futures are more solid ?

[WMFG]

I'm a terrible n00b with fins but how does it work with the fin boxes FCS vs Futures ? Does the manufacturer put one or the other in the board or do you insert whatever box you like ? I've read that Futures are more solid ?

In the case of Vaders they will come built with one or the other. I don't know this as fact, but I think it's now a choice of Futures of FCS II on the kite construction Firewires.

This is a timeless debate. With strong opinions on either side to follow.

I've broken tons of fins on every FCS board I've ever owned so prefer the Futures and happen to feel it's a better fin box for kiteboarding as we (unfortunately) hit the bottom a lot.

Retort, better to break a fin than break a box so FCS is better.

Etc.

I order my board with Futures, but if a board I want has FCS I'd still buy it.

[Alysum]

Thanks for that. I've found out my board is coming with Futures as they claim it's stronger.

[knotwindy]

And you can notch the front of the future's tab so they break instead of ripping out the box. There was a thread about that a while back. So, futures seem better to me but there was also someone saying the FCS let the tail of the board flex more naturally, that is if you believe in flex!

[Dwight]

?.....but there was also someone saying the FCS let the tail of the board flex more naturally, that is if you believe in flex!

That claim was made by FCS in the old days with their old twin round plug box. Not applicable anymore.

[magic%20Ed]

FCS "single" plugs can provide more tail flex, but only when not attached to the deck. A small problem with FCS could be that the screws have a slight tendency to losen due to fibration in the fin. With the current block with two plugs: comparable flex pattern to Futures, depending on attaching the box to the deck or not.

[knotwindy]

Sorry, thought I put in the lol about the fcs flex. It was supposed to be a joke...

[magic%20Ed]

But it is no joke, ask Bert Burger...

[topmick]

I had the option of getting futures but went with Bert's system from his recommendation & fins were inc in the price.
Glad I did as he makes a nice glass fin.

[Bushflyr]

Bert sets his plugs in high density foam, so for all intents and purposes it may as well be one solid box. But really, I don't think it matters much. A kite surfboard is so much stiffer than a regular prone board that any difference in tail flex between Futures and FCS is going to be completely psychosomatic.

Regarding FCS fin screws loosening: I've had it happen on Futures too, so no significant difference there either.

Futures bases are stronger than FCS, but that may or may not be a good thing. I just got done resetting a Futures box that a friend broke landing a jump. He only hit the water and the force was enough to break the box loose. I MUCH rather he had just snapped the fin off.