Havent seen them in years but there used to be mast deviators that actached to mast base and deviated mast from going straight forward

Two x T-type mast/boom protectors. Cut the mast protector off the second one and sew it to the first one.

I like the NP protector because it uses thick, moulded rubber. I use it on SDM and RDM masts. No nose damage to date (sorry Zac).

I should add that the Dakine nose pad has much larger velcro straps that never come loose.

WindmanV said...
Two x T-type mast/boom protectors. Cut the mast protector off the second one and sew it to the first one.

I like the NP protector because it uses thick, moulded rubber. I use it on SDM and RDM masts. No nose damage to date (sorry Zac).

This works even better.

I generally try to avoid getting into fights with guys bigger than me!..... And learn to duck!

Darkplague said...
When you slam into the clamp with your ribs or head, it tends to hurt quite a bit, the padding makes the pain a 6/10 instead of a 9/10 :P

Mark demonstrates the effect of boom tails and cracked ribs in this youtube. Enjoy :P

jh2703 said...
They're all a waist of time, effort and money, If you smash it.....just fix it. My sailing suffered heaps because all I worried about was smashing the nose of the board but once I had smashed it I got over it real quick, My board didn't look as flash but I started trying different stuff without fear of the consequences. The boom clamp will never hit the nose of the board...Unless your a midget and run it at the bottom of the cutout but even then I don't think it will come close. All they will do is get in the way of your gybes and tacks and hinder your sailing....If you find yourself going over the front just jump up a little and sheet in and you'll land on your back and clear of your kit every time, Just don't let go of the boom.

My 2 cents....And personal experience.

I think, at least in my case, holding onto the boom is the way to avoid damage to the board. Holding on sort of pushes the board out from under the boom, and you generally can't hit the boom itself if you are pivoting on it.

I cracked one of my first boards when learning, but since then I am not sure I have hit the nose since.

Beaglebuddy said...

I would much rather prevent any damage than have to repair it, I don't really understand that logic

I have to agree with Beaglebuddy, I've used the exact same idea with the Dakine protector over the Neil Pryde one as soon as I learned that the velcro on the Pryde sucks. I also have the NSI nose guard on most of my boards. It's very nice and looks pretty good.

I'm no expert and have been windsurfing for only about two years. The padding has saved my boards on quite a few occasions; maybe even the mast and boom. Even though I can now predict when I'm going to be overpowered and keep in control, I still use them. They don't hinder my gybes or water starts from a 4.0 to a 9.5 and EASE my mind when trying new things. The ten screws in my leg from mountain biking are what usually puts me off.

I installed the NSI protector using silicone caulk. It's not as strong as the epoxy and it's easy to remove. On one occasion I had the boom smack the nose into the pad HARD and half the pad came off (unglued). I had to put the pad back on but it gave me an opportunity to check the board status.

Sure, it's a little bit more weight and the "cool" windsurfers won't get it.

You can still learn how to repair your boards; just go wavesailing. These pads don't help worth a crap there. Though the extra pad on the extension will help a little when the longboard/sup tumbles in the break with a big sail.



Could have used a larger size NSI protector on this board but the curves make it hard to adhere.

BTW if anyone's wondering what's in the Dakine pouch on the harness: ACR Resqlink 406 PLB, set of prescription water goggles (in case I loose glasses), some downhaul rope. flame away!

norcom said...

.......... flame away!

I see your issue there norcom. You seem to have a Superfreak rigged up.

Normal people would also suffer the same nose damage issue if they bolted a ships anchor to the top of their mast and an anvil to the end of their boom to replicate the Superfreak sail weight and handling characteristics.

Carantoc said...
I see your issue there norcom. You seem to have a Superfreak rigged up.

Normal people would also suffer the same nose damage issue if they bolted a ships anchor to the top of their mast and an anvil to the end of their boom to replicate the Superfreak sail weight and handling characteristics.

OH NO YOU DIDN'T!2211!@@!


OnT: When you're learning you'll smash a few noses and if you want to try and protect them by all means but honestly as Jase said near the start you are better off learning how to fix damage...it's easy. Once you progress and if you get into freestyle, waves etc you'll soon find that no amount of padding will save the nose in some of the messed up situations you get yourself into On the other hand you get pretty good at preventing it.

Also be aware with foam glued onto the nose, there is a high probability that the board is cracked under the foam if you smash it a lot, cut it off and check regularly if you find yourself dealing out lots of nose punishment

Carantoc said...

norcom said...

.......... flame away!

I see your issue there norcom. You seem to have a Superfreak rigged up.

Normal people would also suffer the same nose damage issue if they bolted a ships anchor to the top of their mast and an anvil to the end of their boom to replicate the Superfreak sail weight and handling characteristics.

Hmmm I am going to go to the defence of the freak again...
Super freak 7.0 4.18kg
Severne ncx 7.0 4.46kg (only looked as far as severne for similar comparison sail)

And there is an UL version that is 3.9kg.

And what are you basing the handling characterises on, as a fee ride sail they are super soft and more gust absorbing so would actually be less likely to pull you over the front.

Similar as they are both free ride no cam sail, I fell they fall in the same category?

I was just looking for a weight comparison.....

What should I compare the freaks weight to then?

And in the rest of your post were you implying the freak is 4x more expensive than the ezzy? Don't think that is the case. Your welcome to correct me.

I would suggest you could not find a more durable sail than the freak?

Carantoc said...
Originally I was simply flaming away with common mis-conceptions about the Superfreaks, given there was one in the photo and you don't see them that often.

I have 4.5, 5.0 and 5.8 Superfreaks and use them 90% of the time.

I was suggesting that if you balance price and durability the Superfreak is four times better than an Ezzy. Not saying there is anything wrong with an Ezzy, they are very very good. Just that Superfreaks are cheaper and more durable.

I do think that it is hard to compare the Superfreak with anything, because it isn't like anything else - and trying to compare it on a static weight basis misses the point of it. Severne throw alot into the 'lighter than anything else' ideal. I find the plus points of the Superfreaks isn't their static weight - but then the minus points of Superfreaks isn't their weight either.

I'm sorry. I had nothing of value to add to the original post of a crazy idea from the crazy idea king. So I just slandered something else instead.

I must have been a bit slow on that...

You are correct in that they are not very comparable.