User:Dlawrence2009

FCS (Fin Control System) is a brand as well as type of fin set up which allows for more versatility in the placement and style of the fins attached to a surfboard. The FCS style can be used as the traditional tri-fin placement or a five fin or C5 set up. The tri-fin placement meaning three fins on the underside of the board, often times with the the two outer fins angled inward and middle fin a few inches closer to the end of the tail pointed straight and larger. The C5 placement is similar but with four outer fins and one middle fin (these fins are often times smaller). Some styles enable the rider to adjust the fore and aft positioning of the fin. They are designed to break off in the event of collision to minimize board damage and injury to the surfer.

Hardware/Design
The FCS system was designed by Brian A. Whitty in Elanora Australia and patented on November 7, 1995. It can be recognized by the V-shaped groves running along the side of the fin (though not limited to this design) and a securing plug that attaches the fin to the board. These groves act as a line of weakening which the fin breaks off when pressured as opposed to pulling out the plugs. The fins are placed in slots which are set into the board by the use of a plug that fits flush with the underside of the board. They are secured into these plugs by the use of set screws which can be tightened down by a fin key or Allen Wrench.The plug design and use of set screws enables the fin to be easily removed and installed for storage or travel. These plugs can be installed in a variety of different ways in order to create the correct amount strength needed for the fin to function. The more common method is to drill the plug hole at the end of the shaping process and then secure the plug in the hole with resin. The plug attaches through the use of the “H-pattern” which binds at both the deck and bottom of the board fiberglass to the plug which provide the most strength at the fin without permanent installation through glassing(same as laying on fiberglass) on. It can also be used in epoxy surfboards by similar installation.

Other Styles of Fin
The glassed-in style of fin attachment is a much more labor inducing process in which the shaper must reinforce the fin with resin and fiberglass and then sand smooth. This permanently fixes the fin to the board which if impacted, the fin and board can be severely damaged. However, if done correctly this style of fin will provide the most support for the fin enabling it to respond and perform quickest when pressured in a turn. The fin box system(or Future Fin), which also allows for the removal of fins, is attached by a similar process. Cutting out a slot, often times through the use of a router, and situating the box into it with an epoxy or resin at the end of the shaping process. However, this style provides less strength where the box attaches the board and will often crack and eventually fail over time. This design flaw is subsequently made this style less popular. The FCS style of fin is growing more popular as more professional riders begin to prefer them.

Riders

 * Kelly Slater
 * CJ Hobgood
 * Damien Hobgood
 * Adriano DeSouza
 * Mark Occhilepo
 * Sunny Garcia
 * Oscar Wright
 * Tom Carroll
 * Jarrad House
 * Etc. (see link for full list on manufacturer’s site