AboutKat Dawes Expertise I'M SORRY I DON'T DO WINDSURFING!
I am the sub-editor and editorial assistant for Carve and SurfGirl magazines, based in the UK. I can answer questions about all aspects of surfing: equipment, travel, history, culture, locations in the UK, the pro tour, training for surfing, technique, women`s surfing, forecasting, surf media and so on.
Experience I am the sub-editor and editorial assistant for Carve and SurfGirl surfing magazines, based in
the UK. I have been surfing for 12 years in Wales and Cornwall. I have also travelled to
Australia and various European locations to surf.
Publications Carve and SurfGirl magazines
Education/Credentials 15 A grades, BA and MA in English Literature.
Expert: Kat Dawes Date: 8/18/2008 Subject: fin system
Question Hi,
I recently knocked out two glassed in fins while surfing, one is pretty minor while the other is quite bad. Is it worth putting an FCS type system in is that possible? instead of glassin new fins as it will be quite hard to fix..
cheers
Answer I would say both would be quite expensive to get done properly and both would also be hard to do on your own unless you have lots of experience.
Best idea would be to ask a shaper/ding repair person and go for the cheapest option.
Trying to put in fin boxes if you've never done it will most likely result in ruination of the board, which must be quite decent and worth something or you'd not be trying to fix it (I assume).
I've put fins back on myself and if the board's not worth a lot it's perfectly possible (though fiddly) to do, but you don't get brilliant results.
If the money doesn't worry you that much and the board is really worth it, go for the FCS option done by a pro. Easier life travelling (and future repair!) wise and you can swap fins around to change the ride.
I'm not an expert on shaping or ding repair so I hope this helps a bit, but I'd say go to a ding repair shop or shaper on this one.
Also, grab a copy of the Ding Repair Scriptures for more info, best book on the market. Full rundown of how to glass fins back on.
ADDITION:
Just spoke to someone who knows more than me! Reckons it really depends on the extent of the damage. If the fin/s have been pushed into the board they'll have to cut out quite a lot of foam and it'd then be better to have glassed on fins put in than a box, because they can use more glass and it'll be stronger.
It also depends on what kind of board it is.
So if you wanna give more details on the board and say more about exactly how bad it is maybe we can help more…
