FCS II

[surf patrol]

Since I got a board with the FCS II fin system I have been all in. It's been convenient and easy to change up setups on the fly and it rid me from the constant scourge of losing fin keys. Yesterday however I was moving my fins over to my groveler, pushing the fins in and I ended up damaging the fin box. I cracked the fiberglass and pushed in the box further than it should be. What's especially frustrating is that the fins didn't even go in! I have to say this has been something that I have been worried about, but having it actually happen on a board that is only about a year old seems crazy. Here are some pics;





I emailed ...Lost and FCS about my problem, so hopefully I get a response. I've had positive interactions with surf companies in the past, previously I had a JS shaped Billabong board constantly crack on the decking despite being repaired multiple times. They ended up sending me a new board for free and paid for all shipping. Have any of you guys experienced anything similar with the FCS II system? If you have, did you find a viable solution from stopping it happening again? I haven't brought the board in for a quote on repairing yet, does anyone know how much a repair might cost?

[Brian]

FCS got back to me and are blaming Lost for not installing the fin boxes correctly. Here was their response;

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the email, and sorry to hear about the plugs.
I took a look at your photos & showed them to one of our manufacturing reps. It looks like the damage is due to a bad installation (sanded too much), not faulty plugs. Where did you purchase the board and where are you located? Lost should be able to help you with a repair.
Thanks

[Oldie]

Of course they will say that. Lost probably will claim that you ran your fins into the ground. You are siting between the chairs with this.

So far my experiences with FCS II was that the fins were either too loose (I lost two fins) or extremely stiff to the extend that I worried hurting myself or the board. Liking the concept, I am not a fan of the implementation yet.

[Lebowski]

I am really not a fan of FCS 2 systems. All the ones I've come across, there is far too much resistance both inserting and removing the fins.

[Tudeo]

I don't mind the little screws of the other systems, it's not like it's much work to change fins. So for me FCS 2 isn't a likable option.

[Big H]

I have one of those ratcheting FCS tools for the screws....really couldn't be much easier to take fins in and out using that, and isn't a lot more work with a regular key so I'm with Tudeo on this......seems like a lot of users are losing fins with this system too, a lot of people posting wanted ads for single FCS2 fins that they want to replace.

[one0one]

I got like 5 pairs. Had no problems but starting to wish I went futures