Chinook Hydroshok, North Shox

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

There is one for sale, http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=711
Who remembers this product? It looks to me like this would only work with a two pin US cup extension and a SDM mast?
Also interested in the relative merits of a shock absorbing system such as the currently available North Shox. It seems there is not much interest in this.
An online search reveals only some comments over 25 years ago and at the time everyone seemed very excited about how well it worked,

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I was impressed enough by extensive experience with Chinook's Hydroshok that when they stopped making them, I bought their last box of 6. But when I switched to RDMs, they became paperweights. IMO, they worked as advertised; mine are gathering dust ONLY because I don't use fat masts any more. They sail better, provide a better ride, don't flip little wave boards when waterstarting, and as long as you check the mechanical joint screws for snugness occasionally, last for years of very heavy use.

They stopped making them when a few came back with corroded parts from salt water use; retooling to make and fit a corrosion-proof part was not economically justifiable.

That $50 is a great price; they cost about $140 when I was using them. (They sold me that box of 6 for the price of 1.) OOPS; did you notice the date on that link? June 4, 2010.

For the same $50 (minus a military discount) incl shipping, you can have one of mine that plugs into a two-bolt base.

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

Thanks for the offer Mike but I'm all RDM also. The North Shox system looks nice but I don't even think it's available in the USA, I emailed North about it a few years ago and couldn't really get an answer as to price or availability.

kevinkan · Joined: 07 Jun 2001 Posts: 1661 Location: San Francisco

beaglebuddy send me an email to info@sunsetsailboards.com if you're interested in the North Shox system.

stilladdicted · Joined: 18 May 1999 Posts: 30

the hydroshock!

I sailed with one of those for YEARS, when mine finally gave up the ghost I tried to find another one and was unable, anywhere - told they were no longer manufactured.

Kevin - does the North Shox system have the mechanical joint like the old hydroshock?

Thanks

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

I just got it today in the mail, Thanks Kevin! A very nice looking piece of equipment, loop and go arrangement apparently, I'll have to figure out how to rig it, lot's of directions.
It is not a mechanical joint but rather a very stiff clear rubber tendon with a wire going thru the middle of it. It seems like it may be stiffer than a typical tendon.

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

Her are some pictures of the North Shox.

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

More.

beaglebuddy · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 1120

The very first picture is looking down into the itendon, the second is the bottom of the itendon. You can see it has a similar button with spring clip to a US cup, the second picture you can see the line that runs thru the center of the itendon.
The base is similar in design and function to a two bolt Chinook base.
I would say the vulnerable part is the bottom of the shox where the itendon inserts, it's an aluminum tube. Care should probably be taken when the rig is off the board so the tube isn't bent.

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

Definitely a bit different than the norm. It might be just an illusion, but the distance from the bottom of the black plastic cuff of the extension to the deck of the board appears to be greater than a standard Chinook universal, especially since the separation component (Euro-pin or US pinned) is usually incorporated as part of the extension's cuff assembly.