*** Orders made from 25 Dec 24 to 6 Jan 25 >>> will be sent from 7 January 2025! ***
$8.50
Gearbox GB24 Finboxes - Side box
Why Change from your finbox system to GB24 finboxes?
Our Gearbox system was always known for strength but by simplifying the new GB24 system, we have made it even more approachable. But more importantly, we have radically improved the installation process. It is now much easier to get a tight and robust installation.
We focused on three primary factors for the redesign - adjustability, simplicity, and even more strength.
Adjustment in a fin system allows a board to be better tuned to the conditions or the fins.
It also adds to a board, allowing it to handle a much more comprehensive range of conditions with the same set of fins. The system now has 3/8" / 9.5 mm, twice what the previous version provided. With the new system, a quad setup has up to 3/4" / 19 mm spread. This adjustment range increases the number of combinations that can be achieved with a few sets of fins.
The design focused on making the system as simple as possible.
This ensured that anyone could achieve a tight and robust installation. It also had to be effortless. This was achieved with the unique shape of the dam. Compared to the previous version, the dam was simplified by removing the cover and solidifying the flange. The top of the box was also simplified by making the shape universal to work for both side and center boxes.
Making foam collars was simplified by utilizing an elliptical shape for the bottom of the box.
The main simplification was the shape of the dam which allowed for the elimination of specific screw posts, contributing to the universality of the dam. This shape also made achieving a clean installation with no air very simple!
Every change to the box was focused on improving its strength and durability.
The shape was changed to a true ellipse, perfect for load distribution and increased stability. This shape was also carried into the bottom of the box, where the elliptical shape provided increased stability. The unique shape of the dam also contributes to its strength. It is also elliptically shaped, and after it has been sanded down, the remaining profile contributes to the stiffness of the top of the box. Finally, the length of the box was extended to allow longer flange overhangs at the front and back. This provides greater strength for frontal or rear impacts.
The flange features lengthwise grooves to improve the mechanical bond between the lamination and the box. Several resin vents along the flange's edge allow the resin to escape from the cavity and enhance the mechanical bond between the flange and the foam. Similarly, the bottom of the box has several resin traps at its wide point, which, when filled with resin, enhances the bond to the foam.
The new system's most radical feature is the dam's shape on top of the flange.
For an under-the-glass fin system, a dam is needed to raise the grub screws above the level of the bottom glass layer. When the board is sanded, this dam is exposed, allowing the screws to be accessed. Most fin systems have flat dams with steep sides, making the lamination process tricky. They also have protrusions in the dam outline to host the screws, further complicating the process.
We took a radically different approach with GB24. The dam is not only elliptical but is, in fact, a cylindrical ellipse (think cucumber). Making it effortless to laminate over the box as the cloth can easily drape over the dam as there are no flat surfaces. There is nowhere for air to be trapped. The laminator is spared the effort of chasing air at the dam's base. Additionally, the grub screws are placed on the dam's side and therefore do not require any protrusions.
There is nothing but smooth curves to laminate over with this dam design. Once the dam is sanded down, it leaves a clean, elliptical outline behind. This means it is a lot easier to laminate over the box with color as there is nowhere for the resin to pool, affecting the color consistency. This shape also results in the cloth being left partially on the dam, making for a much tighter installation. The flange grooves also extend partially onto the dam to allow for a mechanical bond all the way around.
The flange plays a critical role in a box designed to go under-the-glass.
When installed, a flange supports the box while providing a bonding surface for the lamination. But it also helps to dissipate the side loads generated on the box by the fins. It helps prevent the slot of the box from bowing.
Straight lines in a flange outline make the box more susceptible to rolling as the loads cannot be dissipated gradually. For this reason, the GB24 flange is shaped as an ellipse. This puts the widest point of the flange at the center of the box and provides the ultimate stability. Plus, this shape allows for much better side load dissipation.
We think it is also inherently better looking as the flowing outline fits better with a surfboard's general outline.
Because the flange also serves as the primary bonding surface for the bottom lamination, it must be as strong as possible. To meet this requirement, the flange has longitudinal grooves on the upper surface for a good mechanical bond with the lamination. Additionally, resin vent holes at the flange's wide point allow excess resin to vent out of the cavity when installing a box. But more importantly, they provide an additional bond between the lamination and the underlying foam.
Finally, because of the shape of the dam, when it is ground down, it also helps to strengthen the flange further as it retains the elliptical shape.
The new system has a unique bottom shape that aligns with the overall design.
Unlike most common fin systems, the bottom of the GB24 box is not rectangular and parallel-sided. Instead, like all the other aspects of the box, it has an elliptical shape. Not only does this shape provide greater strength, but it also adds additional stability to the box once installed.
The wide point area of the bottom also features several resin traps that help bond the box to the surrounding foam, further improving the stability.
A foam collar/ surrounds is provided for the system to provide additional support in low-density foam.
The foam collar serves several purposes. It simplifies the installation process by enabling a single routing operation. It strengthens the installation by supporting the box flange with a higher-density foam. Finally, it adds more stability in an EPS installation due to the higher density.
The foam collar is made from PET foam from recycled water bottles.
Every GB24 box will now include the PET high Density Collar Surrounds
GB24 is available in 8 degree side boxes, 6 degree side boxes, 4 degree side boxes and 0 degree centre boxes
GB24 will fit all fcs1 and Dual Tab fins + all Gearbox and probox fin bases
