My hands are getting crushed by the handles. I've been thinking about a mini-boom like this:

www.realwatersports.com/products/armstrong-power-link-control-bar

Also been thinking about making one to span just the width of a handle. Then I got to thinking about the weight aspects. The trim on the Naish S25 is pretty perfect, and I wonder if adding a little doo-dad would mess that up.

Anyone using something like the aforementioned boomlet who might have some advice for me?

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crashflow said..
My hands are getting crushed by the handles. I've been thinking about a mini-boom like this:

www.realwatersports.com/products/armstrong-power-link-control-bar

Also been thinking about making one to span just the width of a handle. Then I got to thinking about the weight aspects. The trim on the Naish S25 is pretty perfect, and I wonder if adding a little doo-dad would mess that up.

Anyone using something like the aforementioned boomlet who might have some advice for me?

I believe the Naish wings have connections to attach a SUP paddle. You could try that or try something like a broom handle to test. I use the PowerBar and can't tell a weight or performance difference. I'd recommend using a harness to allow hands to rest.

I tested in snow a Cabrinha. The handle are super cool and are not annoying(moving) as I was anticipating...well that was a cons on a few reviews but personally no problem at all. However if using a mini-boom(Cabrinha is like 2 mini-boom), it will fatigue forearm faster, well in snow with mitts/gloves...and extra resistance of snow...that was a lot more than a f-one swing handle. I agree, I used a harness and it helped a lot! So if you are using gloves, mitts in cold water, and you are not using harness, maybe something to consider with a bar.

I've tried it and it works fine and easy to do with the Naish wing.

I still prefer handles.. and for me handles require less effort to grip even though I have a windsurfing background.

I've tried it and it works fine and easy to do with the Naish wing.

I still prefer handles.. and for me handles require less effort to grip even though I have a windsurfing background.

It appears from the pictures that you're gripping both the "boom" and a handle, which will open up your grip making it more tiring to hang on. I use a retrofitted boom on my Wasps (very narrow grip) and the standard boom that came with my 5 metre Echo (more of a windsurfing boom grip) and I don't find them any more tiring than the handles (on my Wasps).

I have both the Armstrong boom, and made one with a broken paddle shaft and some velcro straps. For me the extra hand positions really help with starting. They don't fatigue the hands anymore than the handles because I can always grab a handle instead of the boom. In over-powered conditions, the boom allows me to power down a lot easier giving my wing more range. To me there is nothing lost by having the boom, I gain extra hand positions and a tiny bit of stiffness on the wing.

Does the boom cut down on the hand-crush though? My fingers (pinkie and index) are getting deformed in the handles and it is hell on my knuckles.

The new Epic wing has handles that may be similar to the ones found on Cabrinha's wings. The advantage of wings like the Slick and Echo is that the boom is solidly attached to the wing so any up or down movement through the wrists is directly transferred to the wing.

These epic wings, look epic, anyone not sponsored by them tried them?

Here's a promotional video of the Epic. The handles sure look nice!

I am using the Armstrong Power Link Control Bar with all my S25 Naish quiver of 3. It works OK for me and spans the handles well. The velcro fasteners stay on securely and now I find I can adjust the positioning of the back hand easily although sometimes you have to squeeze it between a handle. So overall I have got used to it and put it on during all sessions. The front hand grabs a handle not the bar, as the bar doesn't reach that far but that's fine.

Anybody in Aus stock Epic wings?

I have two of the A-wings and use the power link bar on both. I really like it and find it great for hand switches and one hand use. The cost is a bit steep when compared to what you can build a DIY version but fine for people with more dollars than sense.

You guys should start a separate thread about Epic wings.

I use the Armstrong PowerLink Control Bar and like it for gybing as don't need to look for the handle to grab and for de-powering riding swells. I use FOne wings and find in light-moderate winds I feel more efficient using the bar. In higher winds I feel the bar needs to be a bit longer on the FOne as I extend my bar arm more to control the power. I also like how the bar gives more options for hand placement and angling the wing in the wind.

The good design of the Armstong PLC bar is the rubber insert around each end as the bar gets dragged over the front of the board when getting the wing ready to fly - so the rubber protects from scratches.

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crashflow said..
My hands are getting crushed by the handles. I've been thinking about a mini-boom like this:

.....

The padding inside the most used handles crushed down to nothing on my wing. That meant my little fingers were crushed up against my hand resulting in joint pain in the knuckles.

I got a length of 12mm garden hose, split it and put it over the handle, then wrapped it with self fusing tape. That made the handle nice and stiff. Easy to hold and no crushing.

At first the handle looks too wide to fit in the hose, but careful winding, overlapping each wrap, compresses it down and the result is very neat.

There's lots of self fusing tape at Bunnings. I used Nitto from the electrical section. My mate used another brand from the gardening section and found it slippery. He wrapped the tape pretty roughly and says the wrinkles provide tactile feedback.

At first the hose is quite straight and stiff. With use it adopts a gentle curve which is easy to grab and hold. There's an added benefit of improved lateral control so you can twist the wing about with one hand while riding a wave.

For my handles 150mm of hose was ideal. Shorter works but is still a little sloppy. Too long makes the handle sit too close to the strut. I am tempted to try slightly longer because a little use settles things in nicely.

I've only covered the two most used handles. The other handles are in perfect condition and I rarely use them. On my smaller wing the handles are still in good condition. I think that's mostly because the smaller wing gets a lot less use. There's also a certain amount of riding with more wind and better technique. I use a lot less effort to wing now than when I was learning.

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Gorgo said..

I got a length of 12mm garden hose, split it and put it over the handle, then wrapped it with self fusing tape. That made the handle nice and stiff. Easy to hold and no crushing.

This is genius. I'm going to try this out.

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dejavu said..

I REALLY like that. Definitely the direction I hope we see wing design going.

Interesting concept for sure.

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DavidJohn said..
I've tried it and it works fine and easy to do with the Naish wing.

I still prefer handles.. and for me handles require less effort to grip even though I have a windsurfing background.

me too.

The issue I have with attaching a "boom" to the handles is that you still have side to side flex (and some forward and back flex) through the handles because they have some "give". You can try and minimize this but you can't completely eliminate it -- it's the nature of the beast. Booms that form part of the wing, since they are "locked-in" to the strut (Echo, Slick, etc.), have a solid feel and if you move the boom forwards or back or twist the boom up or down with your hands the response or feedback from the wing is immediate, direct and firm -- there is no "extra" or additional twist or movement or delay as there is through relatively soft handles. This makes the wing much more responsive to rider input (in my opinion).

Cabrinha mantis have a great mini boom very ridged
and it gives you a direct feel

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dejavu said..

I had a hold of one of these the other day the wing felt great but the boom felt quite heavy especially noticeable on the 3 maybe a carbon one would be nice it was a very good quality build though with attention to detail