Boxes are installed underneath the glass for strength, and a watertight installation and extra layers of glass are added over the boxes for additional strength.
ProBox Fin System
In the late summer of 2003, Robin and a friend, Mitch Haynie, decided they wanted to design a fin system as they were frustrated with the currently available systems. This sparked a new endeavor, with Robin learning the intricacies of CAD design and 3D modeling to design and engineer the system. Thus, the ProBox Fin System was born from humble beginnings and a lot of stoke! The system continues to gain momentum slowly! Mitch and Robin eventually sold the system to Larry Allison at Fibre Glas Fin Co in California!
The ProBox system is not just another fin system. It's a game-changer. Its unique design allows for both cant angle changes and forward and backward adjustment of the fins. This means the fins can be fine-tuned to perfectly suit the board or conditions, giving surfers unparalleled control. The cant angle is managed through color-coded inserts that fit into the box with the appropriate angle, a simple yet ingenious solution. The system provides a 1/2" of forward and backward adjustment of the fins, a significant feature that can dramatically enhance performance. This is not just a system; it's a revolution in fin technology.
The system was also designed to be compatible with all DUAL TAB fins, helping to ease the transition to the new system. The system was and is manufactured in California. The system was patented in the USA and Australia. In Australia, the system was marketed alongside our HANALEI FINS, which were being sold by our subsidiary down under, run by Lance Pearson.
GEARBOX 1 System
After selling the ProBox system, we continued working on a next-generation fin system designed to go under the glass for greater strength and integrity.
This new system was not designed to have adjustable cant, only forward and backward adjustment. The cant angles are fixed in the system and come in a wide range of angles–2º, 4º, 6º, and 8º. There is also a dedicated center box design. The system utilized a unique CNC-machined foam support system that provided extra integrity, especially in low-density foam like EPS. The system used a more elliptical shape for better load dissipation and strength.
This system, GEARBOX, was first released in 2013. The first-generation version is GEARBOX 1.
The system was also designed to be compatible with all DUAL TAB fins, helping to ease the transition to the new system.
The boxes were molded in South Africa and sold in South Africa, the USA, and Australia. The system was patented in these countries, as well.
GEARBOX 2 System
One year after the introduction of the GEARBOX fin system, the next-generation GEARBOX 2 was released.
GEARBOX 2 is not just a fixed system with built-in cant angles and forward and backward fin adjustment. It's a practical solution uniquely designed with a cover in the box's flange. This cover allows for a wide range of customizations and simplifies the process of sanding the box's flange for a better bond during the lamination process.
GEARBOX 2 used a more elliptical shape than the first version for improved stability once installed.
GEARBOX has been a trusted choice in the USA and Australia for a decade. It's a popular option for those who value improved strength and versatility while retaining backward compatibility with DUAL TAB fins. Like the ProBox system, GEARBOX is proudly manufactured in California and holds patents in South Africa, the USA, and Australia.
The system continues to be sold in the USA (Hawaii) and Australia.
Sales in Australia are now handled by SANDED AUSTRALIA, which took over the distributorship from GEARBOX Australia. They are also the distributor for HANALEI FINS and our partner in the new GB24 system.