Updates

Several improvements to the system were released in 2023

While things have been quiet on the GEARBOX front for some time, we have been working on several improvements in the background. Some of them are more subtle than others!

Work has been proceeding on these changes for the last year and will finally see the light of day in '23.

While most of these improvements are relatively subtle, they significantly affect the system's usability.

While the changes discussed on this page have been completed, we are actively working on one additional update: a new version of our base router jig geared strictly to our 1ROUT install process. We have been prototyping this jig for some time and are very close to finalizing the design.

Areas of the box that have been upgraded

Areas of the box that have been updated

Update Details

Dam Modifications

BOX Modifications This rendering shows the modifications made to the box as transparent green additions.

For the dam, the existing lip below the top edge was extended up to the top, allowing us to add a larger radius to the dam's edge. This makes a big difference when laying the fiberglass over the dam as it minimizes the air that wants to get trapped at the transition from the cover to the dam. Plus, it helps the cloth drape over the dam.

This change also enables the foam covers to work as they are slightly thicker than the plastic cover, so the gap between the dam's edge and the cover is minimized.

Bottom Modifications

BOX Modifications This rendering shows the modifications made to the box as transparent green additions.

For the bottom, the rendering shows the extra material added around the box's perimeter. Also, four posts have been added to the bottom sides to strengthen them. The primary reason for thickening the bottom was that, in the case of an 8º box, the inside bottom edge of the slot ended up very close to the outer surface of the bottom wall.

This made it much thinner there, creating the potential for failure along this thin edge. We have not had failures here, but wanted to make things more robust by eliminating this thinness. The addition of the posts also helps in this regard.

Foam Block Modifications

Revised high-density foam block

The HD foam blocks' inside cavity has also had to be enlarged to accommodate the increased size of the box's bottom. In addition, the area around the posts has been tightened to reduce the amount of resin accumulating there. However, they will continue to work with the existing boxes.

The foam block has also been changed to a PET material made from recycled plastic water bottles! Allowing us to reduce the price. This hard and porous material will enable it to achieve an excellent bond.

Depth Gauge

New depth gauge

A new item added to the system is a depth gauge used to set the router bit depth. The indicator has two different depths: STANDARD (circular notch) for most normal installations and CONCAVE (triangular notch) for installations in deep double concaves (or where extra strength is desired).

See the updated install guides for more details on using the gauge or the INSTALL Extras, where detailed instructions are provided.

Hex Key Modifications

Revised hex key

The HEX KEY has also undergone a slight modification to remove the embedded gear. This change made the key more universal for use with our HANALEI FINS.

Color Change

New box color - white

The final change to the system is changing the color of the boxes from the grey we have been using to white.

The change is for two reasons: first, it is easier to distinguish the GB23 boxes from the older versions, and second, to better match the white plastic and future foam covers. We also feel the white will allow the box to blend better on a board.

With the move to the WHITE color, we are also increasing the amount of fiberglass in the material to improve its strength.

GEARBOX - An advanced removable surfboard fin system.

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GEARBOX Surf has locations in Australia and Hawai'i (USA). Contact information is provided here, but the preferred method is to use the contact form on this site.

+61 2 4339 9580

+1 808 639 5303

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