New FCS Systems?

[prjwebb]

Anyone seen the FCS II and FCS Origin systems?

They both look pretty familiar...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHzaMWm3PWE

[Slowman]

Yes saw this as I subscribe to surfboard warehouse...FCS II looks good and the FCS Origin look like the Soar Powerbases. Looks like my old FCS fins will fit into the new FCS II plugs I think.

[prjwebb]

Yeah and the II system is like the Fin-S system. Keyless is no biggy for me but if more boards are available with the 'origin' system it should accommodate my powerbase fins nicely :)

[Chris]

they are super sick systems. I was really impressed. I spend a good bit of time with the FCS crew at expo and got a good idea what is going on. You will be stoked!!

[prjwebb]

What's the score as far as stock boards and fin systems? will the fcsII be standard or will you be making boards with II, Orign and Futures? Will Fusions be obsolete now? Seems like it could be an inventory nightmare if all systems are in play!

[Chris]

the new FCS finboxes won't have an impact on the boards we already make with futures. Basically the FCS II system is slated to be the new box by FCS so you will see that enter the market as the dominant tech in stock boards. the origin will be more athlete, special and custom order. This is industry wide.

[prjwebb]

That sounds like a good strategy.
Cheers Chris

[Slowman]

Interesting, I know a few people including my local shaper that file out the tabs and the boxes a tad to get some "adjustability" in their fin placement for various waves. Local shaper reckons 5-7mm is enough to make some difference. Looks like FCS II will put an end to that.

[Chris]

yeah slowman, honestly the concept is a great one, but the issue is the screws put grooves in the fin tabs and the result is, if you slide that fin all the way back and tighten the screw, it grabs the old grooves and slides the fin forward. In the end, it was really hard to precisely control that motion. I think the decision was a system that made using multiple fin shapes a breeze vs moving fins within a box. just my take though...

[Slowman]

yeah slowman, honestly the concept is a great one, but the issue is the screws put grooves in the fin tabs and the result is, if you slide that fin all the way back and tighten the screw, it grabs the old grooves and slides the fin forward. In the end, it was really hard to precisely control that motion. I think the decision was a system that made using multiple fin shapes a breeze vs moving fins within a box. just my take though...
Yes Chris it's an issue that can be addressed; the fins naturally move forward on the left side and backwards on the right side (looking at bottom of the board from the tail) because of the clockwise screw movement as they tighten. This can be avoided by filing out the box/tab just enough to so that the grub screw hits "fresh meat" on the tab, as well as holding the fins and doing up the screws incrementally together rather than one at a time.

[Sarge]

1 or 2 split paddle pop / ice cream sticks in front or behind the fins helps keep them in place. Similarly small random bits of plastic spoons work well and last longer too. Pity about adding the extra weight though ; )
Hopefully the new system won't require the same expensive, hi-tech aftermarket adjustments.

[FW - Fan]

Yes Chris it's an issue that can be addressed; the fins naturally move forward on the left side and backwards on the right side (looking at bottom of the board from the tail) because of the clockwise screw movement as they tighten. This can be avoided by filing out the box/tab just enough to so that the grub screw hits "fresh meat" on the tab, as well as holding the fins and doing up the screws incrementally together rather than one at a time.
That issue is easily overcome .. You just hold the fin firmly .. Lightly tighten the first screw without the fin moving ... Then do the same with the next screw and then alternately progressively tighten both screws .. Just go little by little with each screw while holding the fin in place .. Easy

[Slowman]

Fan, I was talking specifically about once the box has been filed out to give you that 5-7mm adjustment but yes it works just normally to stop that 2mm movement too. I guess I could have written it more clearly and in more detail but time...

[lolly123]

Soooo.. what happened to the video??

[prjwebb]

It got pulled. The system is being released this summer so I imagine lots of info and videos will surface in the coming months.

[luismx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avrmFSrWH0Y

[FW - Fan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avrmFSrWH0Y

I think that is hilarious...as if all of the pros are going to say it sucks...of course they will say its great...they get paid to. I have numerous DVD's of a handful of the very same pros talk about how glass ons are the only way to go. Lets be abundantly clear..this is a marketing attempt to create a new system that is not as easily copied as the old system. There is very little downside in using a key versus snapping one out with your hands. Sorry, but that just made me laugh.

[prjwebb]

The Origin system that looks like the Powerbase concept taken up a level looks good.
As for the FCSII, have a longer section of the fin in the box is going to improve the base stiffness, it's just going to come down to whether the QC and tolerances are tight enough in the manufacturing process to keep the fit really snug because if there's any play I'm guessing you'll have some movement with no way of tightening.

Also what about wear and tear? Ok for pros changing boards on a regular basis but for the consumer keeping the same board for a number of years it needs to be able to last.

I agree with Fan, this new system is all about stopping the number of cheaper copies. I'm betting that not only have they patented the plug this time but also the design of the fin base which fits into it. The whole FCS marketing over the last few years has been all about identifying 'Genuine FCS'.

[Sarge]

To be honest, I would just as soon go back to the new original version of FCS - without movement fore and aft - before taking up the new version.
I do think however that it could be -from some people- at odds to suggest that you would have to be a pro to notice a difference of less than 0.5 to 1 litre difference in volume but that a fin that sits 0.5mm away from the board is a massive issue even if your highest performance board is a spitfire. ( I actually don't think anyone has done that. Just want to create more discussion really)

[FW - Fan]

PRJ and Sarge.. at different points but your very valid views confirm that Futures has an advantage over FCS. Hell, even FCS say its a positive to have more of the fin base in the board...smacks of desperation to me . Macquarie Bank owns FCS (or Surf Hardware Int) so the marketing machine with the sole aim of protecting market share will be scrambling.

[prjwebb]

Yeah i like the look of Futures. Haven't had a chance to try them yet. Next board for sure.

[hawaii_boi]

Yeah i like the look of Futures. Haven't had a chance to try them yet. Next board for sure.

@prjwebb,
Futures are pretty good. I wish they had a wide selection like FCS though. Only negative is when they started using I-beam technology, water collects and stays with the fin in the fin box causing the screws to often rust. If you take your fins out after session, it's not a problem.

ALOHA!!