I'm finally going to give it a go after waiting, sitting on the fence and watching the constant & continual improvements for learners, its time.
I have a suitable Deep Tuttle boxed board that I will use but will need to get it some nose protection as I really like this board as a windsurfer.
What's recommended as a retro fix/fit?
And how are they attached?

My initial thought is a Pool Noodle but I'm unsure of the best way to affix it to the board while still preserving its windsurfing mode. Removeable would be ideal. Velcro? Ideas?

Cheers Dave

I'm hesistent about gluing anything to my board. So I took 2 mast protectors, and stitched them together. It's removable and stays on pritty well. No damage so far.

The Pool Noodle idea was discussed in this thread
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Foiling/Starting-to-enjoy-this-foiling-sport?page=1#10

I also use mast protectors like CAN17. What is critical is make sure you located it on the mast at the spot where it would touch the nose of the board in a catapult. The problem is that the pad location on the luff panel is closed for modern boards with short noses. You can't use the velcro strap--nothing to strap it to. So, I just cut off the velcro strap, and...

...since the pad can easily pop off, I have added 3' of kite line as leash tied around the mast in the sail cutout.

surfbent.de/home.html

looks ideal, mate of mine ordered one, will check it out

Select to expand quote

seanhogan said..
surfbent.de/home.html

looks ideal, mate of mine ordered one, will check it out

Let us know how it works Sean.
How much are they?

Select to expand quote

seanhogan said..
surfbent.de/home.html

looks ideal, mate of mine ordered one, will check it out

I ordered one of these (over $100AUD) and soon caved in the nose of my brand new Falcon Foil edition on the second session. Thinking it was just bad luck, I persevered. Did it again a few sessions later (Yes, I am not the most skilled foiler). The manufacturer claimed that they had never had a failure before and refunded my money. I would not recommend them. (for foil boards anyway)

wow ! that's very bad news.....

I haven't seen a falcon foil edition yet, (everyone her eis riding JP or *board)
could it be because the board has a lot of rocker ? (it looks sweeeeet though !!)




My mate is going to be using it on a 144 starboard, will let you know, he's a beginner so we can expect a few catapults !

Select to expand quote

seanhogan said..
wow ! that's very bad news.....

I haven't seen a falcon foil edition yet, (everyone her eis riding JP or *board)
could it be because the board has a lot of rocker ? (it looks sweeeeet though !!)




My mate is going to be using it on a 144 starboard, will let you know, he's a beginner so we can expect a few catapults !

Yea, it does have quite a lot of rocker and that is possibly what contributed to the damage. I think the Starboards have a similar amount of rocker. The Starboards have quite a meaty nose unlike these which are thin. (not very bash resistant!) Fantastic board though!

The Surfbent looks like the Deviator. Any of those puts a LOT of stress on the base of the mast if it hits hard.

All formula boards, and pretty much all the foil-specific boards, have a LOT of nose rocker. This helps keep the board from perling when you have a "hard" touch-down during foiling.

Select to expand quote

Boston! said..

seanhogan said..
surfbent.de/home.html

looks ideal, mate of mine ordered one, will check it out

I ordered one of these (over $100AUD) and soon caved in the nose of my brand new Falcon Foil edition on the second session. Thinking it was just bad luck, I persevered. Did it again a few sessions later (Yes, I am not the most skilled foiler). The manufacturer claimed that they had never had a failure before and refunded my money. I would not recommend them. (for foil boards anyway)

Perhaps they need to make a few versions with higher front walls to accommodate higher rockers. Sorry to hear about the Falcon, that sucks. I almost purchased that board over the SB Foil 177. I will attest that the Foil 177 has a thick front nose and the rocker curve is longer, not so sharp like the Falcon. I feel better about my purchase, but am super bummed the Falcon has structural issues.

Select to expand quote

Boston! said..

seanhogan said..
surfbent.de/home.html

looks ideal, mate of mine ordered one, will check it out

I ordered one of these (over $100AUD) and soon caved in the nose of my brand new Falcon Foil edition on the second session. Thinking it was just bad luck, I persevered. Did it again a few sessions later (Yes, I am not the most skilled foiler). The manufacturer claimed that they had never had a failure before and refunded my money. I would not recommend them. (for foil boards anyway)

I used my surfbent for the last four months. Plenty crashes zero damage to the board (Flikka Foil).

About to use Surfbent for maiden voyage on SB 177 - using Severne extension, Chinook base (sadly Severne base is too wide for Surfbent diameter) - on the beach, it stops the extension at approx 40 degrees, so MILES from the nose - angles may depend on your mastbase hardware ...?
Here's hoping it stops the dreaded nose carnage ... report to follow

Select to expand quote

Peter Hands said..
About to use Surfbent for maiden voyage on SB 177 - using Severne extension, Chinook base (sadly Severne base is too wide for Surfbent diameter) - on the beach, it stops the extension at approx 40 degrees, so MILES from the nose - angles may depend on your mastbase hardware ...?
Here's hoping it stops the dreaded nose carnage ... report to follow

I had to do the same change out as you, Peter, a Chinook for my usual Severne base. I did the same measurement off of the nose and a collision didn't seem likely. Both of the times I damaged mine were the same situation, overpowered 20-25 kts with a race sail (7.0 or 7.7) hooked in heading downwind. The only thing I could think of that defeated the device (despite my poor technique) was the amount of whip generated by the top of the mast coupled with a certain amount of "give" in the Surfbent material whilst under force/impact. I have spoken to other guys who have used them without issue. Hopefully, I'm just a "special case".

I made these ION nose bumper pads on my board. It absorbs quite good. Had some nasty catapults last week and no damages.

Select to expand quote

Boston! said..

Peter Hands said..
About to use Surfbent for maiden voyage on SB 177 - using Severne extension, Chinook base (sadly Severne base is too wide for Surfbent diameter) - on the beach, it stops the extension at approx 40 degrees, so MILES from the nose - angles may depend on your mastbase hardware ...?
Here's hoping it stops the dreaded nose carnage ... report to follow

I had to do the same change out as you, Peter, a Chinook for my usual Severne base. I did the same measurement off of the nose and a collision didn't seem likely. Both of the times I damaged mine were the same situation, overpowered 20-25 kts with a race sail (7.0 or 7.7) hooked in heading downwind. The only thing I could think of that defeated the device (despite my poor technique) was the amount of whip generated by the top of the mast coupled with a certain amount of "give" in the Surfbent material whilst under force/impact. I have spoken to other guys who have used them without issue. Hopefully, I'm just a "special case".

I now understand your problem ....


I leave foiling way over-powered to the Pros - and by the way their boards get trashed too

Select to expand quote

seanhogan said..
surfbent.de/home.html

looks ideal, mate of mine ordered one, will check it out

Just say that's for you

Select to expand quote

Peter Hands said..

Boston! said..

Peter Hands said..
About to use Surfbent for maiden voyage on SB 177 - using Severne extension, Chinook base (sadly Severne base is too wide for Surfbent diameter) - on the beach, it stops the extension at approx 40 degrees, so MILES from the nose - angles may depend on your mastbase hardware ...?
Here's hoping it stops the dreaded nose carnage ... report to follow

I had to do the same change out as you, Peter, a Chinook for my usual Severne base. I did the same measurement off of the nose and a collision didn't seem likely. Both of the times I damaged mine were the same situation, overpowered 20-25 kts with a race sail (7.0 or 7.7) hooked in heading downwind. The only thing I could think of that defeated the device (despite my poor technique) was the amount of whip generated by the top of the mast coupled with a certain amount of "give" in the Surfbent material whilst under force/impact. I have spoken to other guys who have used them without issue. Hopefully, I'm just a "special case".

I now understand your problem ....


I leave foiling way over-powered to the Pros - and by the way their boards get trashed too

Thanks, Peter. My stupidity is often mistaken for "big balls".

Now im past the learning stage I decided to do a propper repair job on the nose to cover up about 9 temporary patch ups. It's never going to look beautiful but im happy with how its turning out for a first time project. Used glad wrap and a pile of sand in the absence of a vacuum bag and pump.one layer of glass for the big section then two more layers in the impact zone. Also beefed up the fin box as it collapsed first time using a foil without a power plate. The box cracked font and back only so I put 3narrow strips of carbon each end and pulled the mast in with the bolts compressing the carbon then flipped the board and completely filled the cavity. The only place it can break now is the side walls of the box. The mast even came out the following morning which I was a bit concerned about. Used lots of grease though.

Looks similar to my handiwork Rog! Do you prick the gladwrap all over before piling the sand on?

Select to expand quote

Swindy said..
Now im past the learning stage I decided to do a propper repair job on the nose to cover up about 9 temporary patch ups. It's never going to look beautiful but im happy with how its turning out for a first time project. Used glad wrap and a pile of sand in the absence of a vacuum bag and pump.one layer of glass for the big section then two more layers in the impact zone. Also beefed up the fin box as it collapsed first time using a foil without a power plate. The box cracked font and back only so I put 3narrow strips of carbon each end and pulled the mast in with the bolts compressing the carbon then flipped the board and completely filled the cavity. The only place it can break now is the side walls of the box. The mast even came out the following morning which I was a bit concerned about. Used lots of grease though.

Looks like good work! Done similar smaller scale repairs. I found that blue painters' tape is your friend, too. It helps to really stretch the plastic wrap tight. Foiling has taught me more than just about foiling.

Select to expand quote

Stretchy said..
Looks similar to my handiwork Rog! Do you prick the gladwrap all over before piling the sand on?

No mate, am i supposed to

Select to expand quote

Boston! said..

seanhogan said..
surfbent.de/home.html

looks ideal, mate of mine ordered one, will check it out

I ordered one of these (over $100AUD) and soon caved in the nose of my brand new Falcon Foil edition on the second session. Thinking it was just bad luck, I persevered. Did it again a few sessions later (Yes, I am not the most skilled foiler). The manufacturer claimed that they had never had a failure before and refunded my money. I would not recommend them. (for foil boards anyway)

I have the Surfbent and discovered that if I used it with a Chinook universal, which has a rubber or nylon tendon the mast would still make contact with the board because the tendon stretches when the bottom of the mast makes contact with the leading edge of the Surfbent. I now use a different universal with a fixed swivel joint and the Surfbent now works as it should.

Yes the Chinook fits the Surfbent, unlike my Severne bases, but I now get why it doesnt work 100%, thanks - what brand do you use now?

I'm using a Nautix universal. It is bolted together and it needs to be periodically checked to make sure the nut remains tight.

Thanks for the tips!

My board nose protection (fiber,carbone and eva)

Link : windsurfing77.forumactif.com/t12-nose-guard-ou-protection-de-nez-de-planche

[URL=.html] [/URL]

Here's a video of the Surf Bent -- in the video it looks like he's using a universal with a rubber connection or joint. Also, it appears to me that the rubber is stretching just enough to allow the mast to connect with the nose of the board.

I'm using the Surf Bent with a universal (Nautix) that uses a mechanical attachment or joint (no rubber or nylon) and the mast doesn't come close to the nose when dropped.

The real test is to get thrown over the front of the board while hooked into the harness.

Select to expand quote

dejavu said..
Here's a video of the Surf Bent -- in the video it looks like he's using a universal with a rubber connection or joint. Also, it appears to me that the rubber is stretching just enough to allow the mast to connect with the nose of the board.

I'm using the Surf Bent with a universal (Nautix) that uses a mechanical attachment or joint (no rubber or nylon) and the mast doesn't come close to the nose when dropped.

The real test is to get thrown over the front of the board while hooked into the harness.

"The real test is to get thrown over the front of the board while hooked into the harness.
Yep, did this a few days ago and sustained further damage to the nose on my Falcon Foil Edition. This is the third time this has happened whilst using the Surfbent. They may well work on boards with a standard amount of rocker but I wouldn't rely on them solely if using a dedicated foil board with a "more than usual" amount of rocker.

What kind universal are you using? If has a rubber or nylon joint (which stretches) then you're going to have issues.

I tried the Surf Bent (with the Nautrix universal) with my JP Formula board, which has a lot of concave in the deck -- the mast doesn't make contact with the nose.

According to the board lady you need padding and protection
boardlady.com/noseprotection.htm
I have siliconed approximately 30 mm sections of half a pool noodle with plenty of gaps between to allow inspection for damage and siliconed a carbon nose protector on top. I also use a surfbent. I have had great success with this combination.
i did have to add an edge strip to the carbon after the edge did an Apple peeler to my ankle. All looks neat. Easy to check for damage. Would be easy to remove the protector if repair was required. I would recommend this combo and would do it again. Weight is not bad.