FCSII vs Futures

[naginiscour]

Guys im new here,
I have a new board ordered and have to choose between FCSII and futures, I have been surfing futures for years now but am interested in trying a new system. Having the same system for all my boards doesn't bother me really so i am happy to make a switch to FCSII. What advantages and disadvantages does FCSII have compared to Futures disregarding the keyless FCSII system? What fin (FCSII or Futures) would you recommend for all around everyday use?
Thanks

[jaffa1949]

Not a lot of information about you, your board etc, all we know you have been using futures for years and you think you might want a change!
The why of that might help. 3 fins 5, 4 .
Groveller, fish, fat arsed wombat .
What sort of waves you surf, the questions to help you go on .

[Big H]

Disadvantage with futures would be all the fins you have wouldnt work in your FCS 2 board.

[Oldie]

I lost two FCS2 NeoGlass fins in three days and the shop told me they see this very often. SInce then I also use screws to secure them.

[Brian]

I have been using FCS 2 Mick Fanning large fins, I switch them out between the boards I own. I also have a set of quad trailers in case I want to run a quad setup. The fins are great, I have never lost one and they are relatively easy to change out. I have ridden futures too and they seemed very similar to my FCS system. I'm not a pro, but I have been surfing for about 15 years and get in the water often. If I were you, I would stick with futures so all your equipment is compatible. Fins ain't cheap!

[kookextraordinaire]

I've heard that FCS II's sometimes fall out. I have one board with the system and it takes a lot of force to put them in (you need a soft surface so that you don't damage your board). Not as user-friendly as advertised.

If you are set on fcs II you can buy a converter system (about 10 dollars) which allows you to use all your old fcs fins, which solves the above problem. I did this so i can use the m5's which are my favourite fin. FCS also have the biggest selection of fins; something to consider. But, to re-emphasize, why get a converter when you can get get fcs fusion plugs? They were pretty strong, and a superior system to fcs II.

Having said that, my recommendation is to stick with futures. I've never broken a futures fin box (surfing at least). You can buy fins from them, true ames, rainbow fins, gorilla fins etc.

Out of curiosity, what board did you order?

[waikikikichan]

The disadvantage to using FCS2 is that you can't get the K2.1 template, which is the Go-To fin I recommend to customers. In Futures you can get the WCT which used to be the KS model before he got sponsored by FCS. But not that he makes his own Kommunity fins, I don't see the K2.1 template in FCS2.

[naginiscour]

I've heard that FCS II's sometimes fall out. I have one board with the system and it takes a lot of force to put them in (you need a soft surface so that you don't damage your board). Not as user-friendly as advertised.

If you are set on fcs II you can buy a converter system (about 10 dollars) which allows you to use all your old fcs fins, which solves the above problem. I did this so i can use the m5's which are my favourite fin. FCS also have the biggest selection of fins; something to consider. But, to re-emphasize, why get a converter when you can get get fcs fusion plugs? They were pretty strong, and a superior system to fcs II.

Having said that, my recommendation is to stick with futures. I've never broken a futures fin box (surfing at least). You can buy fins from them, true ames, rainbow fins, gorilla fins etc.

Out of curiosity, what board did you order?

Hhmm, yeah never really thought about fins falling out and have never seen that happen but u never know. My mate had some m5s and loved em', was thinking of getting some if I do end up trying out fcs.

Oh and I ordered a custom Rubble 5'9 18 5/8 2 1/4 24L can't wait! It's my second one after I snapped my first at Fiji I love it.

[kookextraordinaire]

Stoked for you! Great board. What's the turnaround time at CI these days?

At 24L you must be fairly light. How much do you weigh? The m3 might be a more suitable fin. It's a little more upright, which suits the rubble because (from what I hear) the board likes to be surfed right in the pocket.

[saltydog]

My kid rode over the shallow rocky area and the one of the fcs fins came off. Luckily we found it sunk to the bottom of the ocean but as the fin came off, the trailing edge of the base of the fin dug into the board. Even before that incidents, sometime the fin slipped out enough to push against the board right behind the fin box and dinged the area. (even after I've tightened the screw pretty tight) Maybe fcsII has better grip than original fcs? For me I'm going with future from now on since the fin box is longer than the fin base so I don't have to worry about the fin digging into the bottom of the board.

[icetime]

My first custom board that I ordered(Still in the making), I asked for Futures for the fin setup because with Future you're not limited to a single brand (FCS is only manufactured by the FCS company and some chinese knock offs) so I'd rather have access to more alternative brands with futures since it's an open source patent (Anyone can make Future fins)

[kookextraordinaire]

'Tis the season for customs! What did you get?

I just put in an order for an 80's style thruster, beak nose, flat deck and all. And I chose futures. I do prefer the system, and am also itching to try on of these:

https://www.shredfactor.com/products/fu ... single-fin

[naginiscour]

Stoked for you! Great board. What's the turnaround time at CI these days?

At 24L you must be fairly light. How much do you weigh? The m3 might be a more suitable fin. It's a little more upright, which suits the rubble because (from what I hear) the board likes to be surfed right in the pocket.

Yeah im fairly light, around 152. Yeah i think the m3 would be suitable - the Rubble surfs real good just around and into the pocket loves to be whipped around! I get my CI's through a connection with a mate ive known since highschool so it takes around 3-4weeks (hence why i havent decided the system yet

[jaffa1949]

Mick Fanning does not like big black single fins

[Big H]

The disadvantage to using FCS2 is that you can't get the K2.1 template, which is the Go-To fin I recommend to customers. In Futures you can get the WCT which used to be the KS model before he got sponsored by FCS. But not that he makes his own Kommunity fins, I don't see the K2.1 template in FCS2.

I just went and read around a bit on the komunity project fins....the latest version is 2.0 which is the 2.1 template and can be bought in either FCS 1 (original) or Futures compatible bases. I followed your advice though I got the honeycomb not the glass versions of the FCS 2.1's (buying used you get what you get) and a set of the WCT's both about a year ago and really like both sets. Got a used set of the K-3s (these are the glass version) as well and like those for faster, down the line waves (EG: Balangan.......more drive). The komunity fin template for the K-3's they said is 3.1.

They are NOT cheap either.

[IB_Surfer]

I was 50/50 until they started making the fusion boxes for FCS, which is my preference, With the new boxes the fins just break away in reefs, like they are supposed to, instead of damaging your board.

[shadowline]

There is no guaranty what is going to break , board or fins ,when you hit something with your fins . there are too many variables ; ex:.what you hit ,how you hit , fin strength , fin boxes lamination , surfboard bottom schedule...etc... now FCS having only 2 tabs holding fin to board have higher probability to break fin on this tabs , but I also have heard FCS breaking on a turn especially fins with large bases (for ex.; keel fins ). I personally have not experienced this. I decided to join this discussion for the same reason it start , I am ordering a board and need to choose a fin system... I have FCS fins , have tried FCS II and now would like to try futures to compare. I am ordering a firewire surfboard the new LFT glassing schedule; not planing to hit any reefs or anything else with my fins, is any other issues I am not aware having futures on a firewire board? thank you in advance for reply.

[dtc]

There really isnt any difference. Buy the system that matches the fins you already own, unless you are happy to buy a completely new set of fins

[Mrpompadour]

All I can say is that I have lost FCS II fins from wipeouts, when I banged into the fins. Ended up using the screws everytime I go out. Don't fall for their "screwless" system. You will end up using the screws anyways. Trust me. Nowadays I use futures unless I'm using my older board. Other than that I didn't really notice any major differences between FCS II and futures performance wise, probabaly because I'm still xxxxx. But yeah, if you have been using futures, why not stick to it, unless you like a particular FCS II fins blah blah blah.

[HyeSurfer]

In my opinion, futures have more interesting templates. FCS fins look like the same template over and over again with different colors.
I use both systems .
Steve