JakeNN said..





Thanks for all the sarcasm.

Do you really need to threaten the guy?

I'm pretty sure he's a far better windsurfer than you ..
www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=7&tx_pwasailor_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=674&cHash=8f555190ccd4376aba35d53e6bf7ebda

Rob0104 said..

I hope this clears up any doubts regarding my findings. I'm delighted to learn that our WA cousins are a lot more sensitive than we winey poms give you credit for.

Rob0104 said..
Hi All,
just back from the first Irish event of 2019, sadly not ranked as the call was made last night that wind forecast was too light, but fun racing would take place. Delighted to say I won thanks to my super lightweight footstraps, no other variable counted, sail size, board size , fin size , tuning all of the above or hours on the water practising in all conditions, more tuning , more practise , yet more tuning and practise. None of that mattered it was all down to the straps.
I've taken the time to read all your lovely comments ,finding it all very amusing. loving that healthy discussion is alive and well. Clearly I've rubbed a few people up the wrong way by dissing Sail repair guy for plugging his gear on this forum, I was deliberately going over the top for a reaction. I do agree with just about everything he said ,and to clear up any confusion the only advantage with a lighter board , straps and fin is when getting planning once up and running the weight saved is only a benefit when carrying back to the rigging area. I cant even fault the guy for getting a bit of free advertising via this forum, I'd do the same if I was trying to sell windsurf gear. A penny saved is a penny earned and all that crap.
Regarding this type of footstrap, if the weight saved was the only advantage I wouldn't bother with then . tonyk who earlier in this friendly discussion confirmed that they are durable is nice to know. I sailed with them once before customising them and didn't like them at all. All of the issues listed by everyone were very apparent on that first use. However, trimming , sanding and shaping the inside of the straps has for me ,addressed these problems. The nature of their design allows for this, as I suspect the designers allowed for. After all we all have different shaped and size of feet.
Traditional straps Like the Simmer Style (brand plug intended) also need a bit of adjustment to get right when new. It is a big advantage that these adjustments can be carried out at the beach. However as they bed in and lose some of their rigidity they will need tightened and become prone to squashing down if accidently stepped on , or am I the only windsurfer this has ever happened to. I like most people prefer softer traditional straps and thought I'd give the unifiber's a go, I will be getting another set for my mid slalom board but wont bother in any other boards. The main advantage as far as I can see with the lightweight straps is holding their shape if stepped on.
I hope this clears up any doubts regarding my findings. I'm delighted to learn that our WA cousins are a lot more sensitive than we winey poms give you credit for.
Thanks for all your comments, great laugh, and if I get round to visiting WA I'll be sure to look sail repair guy up, even if the end result is a smack in the mouth.
cheers all Rob

Sparky said..










Were you at the Red Bull Storm Chase?

Rob0104 said..




I'm a bit bored with these obtuse observations and questions. Do you really think they weren't wet.

scottydog said..
Hate the lightweight ones, some of my Starboard Isonics came with them and they would rub my feet raw! Thankfully my new 2019 Isonic has the comfy ones!

R1DER said..
Hi Rob0104 Ive noticed on most stock straps after a while the neoprene wears very thin on the strap where the strap starts to bend upwards, close to where the screws hold it flat, and then the webbing gets exposed and rubs on the lower sides of my feet, just wondered how well padded is this part of the unifibre strap and how soft is the foam that rubs on the top of your feet compared to standard straps, cause the foam looks quite thick.

Rob0104 said..




Hi Rider, the foam is thicker on the middle part of the strap and tapers thinner before the screw holes. I rounded the edges and took 1-2 mm off the foam at this thicker part. I haven't used them bare foot and don't intend to. As the foam is quite firm I suspect that they would be quite hard on bare skin but I really cannot verify this . I've been training quite a bit this past few weeks with them on my 116 and 135 slalom boards, wearing boots or shoes, I have a few different brands of boots and shoes but my favourite are Atan 3mm boots split toe or rounded , or their summer shoes. As they are latex they have a great feeling and enter and exit straps nicely. The only downside is their price. But compared to wearing holes on the top of my feet or sailing with feet like ice I'm happy to pay the bit extra. Having said that I have pro limit boots and really like them , they are probably 1/2 the price and preform really well.
It might be worth buying 1 lightweight strap and trying before committing to a full set. Personally I am liking them more as I've sailed with them longer. They won't be for everyone but like wearing shoes or boots when windsurfing once you get used to the feel the difference isn't an issue.

R1DER said..
When I used to make boards commercially, one of the most common requests was for the board to be as light as possible yet strong. When guys check out a board it's weight is a common topic. Other windsurf manufacturers are always promoting lighter boards, lighter sails, lighter masts. Lighter board are supposed to get planing earlier. I can understand there might be some early planing benifits if a lighter board. I'm keen to give them a go.
Anyone want to part/sell/give me some new or used unifiber footstraps???