How do removeable surfboard fins work?

Question

How do removeable surfboard fins work?

Answer 1

beyond the positive aspect of convenient surf travel there are two other important reasons why removable fins are so much better.

just like glass-on fins can get broken in travel, they also break surfing.  if you land on a fin, or hit a rock/reef, it will break.  if you have glass-on fins, this will probably cost $70-100 to fix.  however, if you surf with crappy plastic fins, the fin just breaks, falls off, and you buy a new fin for $10 (the board is fine usually)  it's great.

also, since the fins are removable, you can swap 'em around.  i can ride my 6'0" in waist high mush, or in surf up to about 8 ft. before I want a bigger board.  however, do you think I want the same fins when i grovel in waist high, and when there are 8ft barrels?  if those were glass-on fins i would need two boards.  iinstead i have six fins.

Answer 2

Removable fins are really there reduce the risk of damaging the fins when you are going on a surf trip, usually overseas.

Surfboards are actually very easy to damage out of the water, the layer of fibre glass on the outside of the board which covers the foam can be broken (or 'dinged') with a small impact. when your board is being handled by heavy handed baggage handlers at airports the fins especially can be damaged and even snapped - which is why some people like the removable ones.

They work by s******g into a socket in the board and sealing water tight. you simply unscrew - or unplug before packing your board up before travel.