View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
mamero
Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Posts: 380 Location: Vancouver, Canada
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:05 pm Post subject: Protecting Your Nose |
|
|
What is the best compromise for protecting the nose of your board? I just bought a new Starboard Futura. I would like to minimize the chance of damaging the nose from catapults. It seems the only two options are a Boom Bra, or a board nose protector. A nose protector seems like it would offer the best protection however, they are seriously ugly and they are permanent. I really don't want to permanently stick something like that on my nice new board. The Boom Bra is removable which is nice but they don't look like they provide as much protection. Especially if it impacts from the side. What do you recommend? Any other solutions? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
U2U2U2
Joined: 06 Jul 2001 Posts: 5467 Location: Shipsterns Bluff, Tasmania. Colorado
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The bra helps with the boom head. The mast is another area. ION, make a nice mast pad, downside is when tacking you can not grip the mast right under the boom head, having the pad down some alleviate that aspect.
Neither of these are noticeable. Because most boards are short, so I was told, the boom head contact is forward of the board nose, bras are harder to find.
I was told DaKine no longer make them.
The nose pad , more protection, someone will be along to tell how they made theirs from yoga mats or such. Removing one would not be any harder than foot pads, some heat, some elbow grease, friendly chemical.. no way impossible. _________________ K4 fins
4Boards....May the fours be with you
http://www.k4fins.com/fins.html
http://4boards.co.uk/ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes. My dual solution cut my nose damage rate from once a month to zero in 25 years. Certainly skill advancement mattered, but I still crash many times a day because making sure I don't crash makes for boring sailing.
SEARCH the forum for my dozen or more descriptions of protecting my nose (and forward rails, deck, tail, and groin) using DaKine's Formula Mast Pad (Neil Pryde also makes a T-shaped boom-bra/mast pad combo*) plus unobtrusive NSI deck padding in the high-wear, high impact, and slip-prone areas (many people think it's factory-applied and that it enhances my boards' looks).
* When's the last time you owned or even saw a board long enough for the boom to hit the nose? The problem is the mast, not the boom.
Try key words such as NSI, Formula mast pad, deck pads, nose damage, waffle grid, etc. for MANY posts describing sources, materials, and application methods. Padding a nose and forward rails takes just minutes and adds color (or blends in) as you wish, because it's available in many colors. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nw30
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 6485 Location: The eye of the universe, Cen. Cal. coast
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Boom bras won't protect the board at all, not near enough padding to be effective. BUT I always use one, however only for preventing the inadvertent opening of the boom clamp, for that it works very well.
Nose pads "are seriously ugly", yes perhaps, but many people also consider helmets seriously ugly so they won't wear one.
Pick your poison or look sharp. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
swchandler
Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 2:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If boards were meant to have obvious nose protection, they would be manufactured and sold that way. Moreover, if you experience catapults that would severely damage the nose of your board, it's unlikely that 3/8" foam padding will offer much protection. Also, the idea that the board might be damaged under padding and still leak in water is always a worry. I'd rather see the damage if I have a crash or mast slam, and then focus on fixing it.
Like others have mentioned, if you want to protect the nose and the deck forward of the mastbase on your board, use some mast padding below the boom. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
cgoudie1
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 2599 Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 4:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hey, if sailing with a padded board nose allows you to sail with reckless abandon, then pad that sucker up and free your mind.
.02
-Craig |
|
Back to top |
|
|
NOVAAN
Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1551
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 4:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I pad the nose and the stomp area between the front and back straps with NSI dual density pads on all my new boards. De lamination in the stomp area has been a issue for me until I decide to pad that area. No failures since using the pads and no nose dings... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
grantmac017
Joined: 04 Aug 2016 Posts: 946
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 7:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Deviator plus mast pad to protect the sides. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Brian_S
Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 249 Location: SE Michigan
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 8:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The NSI pads are pretty good: http://www.northshoreinc.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=106 The top layer is stiffer and distributes the impact, and the lower layer provides the cushion. The one I have is about 1 inch thick and would protect against all but the hardest impact.
Obviously, your call about the cosmetics, but as U2 mentioned you can remove them if you want to.
I wish the manufacturers would do a little more to protect the nose area. Everyone hits the nose with the mast at one time or another. Dwight Fisher uses innegra on the decks and his boards seem to be pretty durable: https://vimeo.com/239373039 _________________ Brian S
www.miwindsurfing.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dmilovich
Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 99
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ion mast pad, just under boom works well. Over time it can open a bit, but you can tape it and throw in a 130 F oven for a few hours and it closes back up. Does make grabbing the mast tougher as was pointed out, but encourages boom to boom handling for me anyway. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
|
|