Anybody using a protector between the mast plate and the bottom of the board? It used to be common to have a rubber or plastic sheet on top of the mast plate. The idea was to stop scratches and prevent slippage of the plate.

I can't see anything on the net other than Gong sell a silicone plate cover. It's cheap enough to buy but the postage is too much. I guess duct tape, helicopter tape or adhesive eva would do the job.

I have been using Tuttle foils forever but my new board only has tracks so I'm going to have to bite the bullet and learn how to work plates.

www.gong-galaxy.com/en/blogs/magazine/gear-silicone-protection-for-your-foil-board

Buy this and glue on. What these thin rubber sheets are best at..

1) keeping your screws from coming loose during a session. It acts like a locking device by maintaining pressure.
2) compensates for a less than perfect flat carbon base on your mast, or flat surface on the board. There will always be imperfections.

www.amazon.com/Comm-Grade-Buna-N-Rubber-Sheet/dp/B07CLNG93B/ref=sr_1_3?crid=WBE94UEJITU3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vbWUMQ3o4ydilkSsdGPLoLYLT6Wn4ydDBOKUbxJ5xuCy5-6egrPH__TZDOpMA0MaUwPIabpxVbST738n3KnqdjDNTWJVbkL6_tNzwxjKHbE0SqaDP02Sl-Nmy5La7GZ5tX3I1d4trlgkwjxV-B6eaFXkuem94pydGHd6oRBD772fPdLUzY-1jkzLIqAoHbwn3kGhEvtK_Kg2Yaje2XNmCUJy_pZHGTCNYqeX1qK2LfI.39ZaieBXevUZlguuu91i01uw8h1MbtG_1zrM6QTJN5s&dib_tag=se&keywords=1%2F32+rubber+sheet&qid=1714658499&sprefix=1%2F32+rubber+%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-3

I've used a rubberised cork sheet auto gasket on my masts. It is 1.6mm thick, But after a few sessions in saltwater it goes rock solid. Looks cool and keeps bolts super tight. Glue it on with sika contact adhesive. One sheet does about 6-8 masts. Use a hole Punch to cut out where your bolts go.

Unifoil masts come with a very thin piece of rubber. I think some of the Lift masts come with a thin piece of cork. The problem is that they all start to peel over time.

My Cloud IX masts all have rubberized bases. However, if I needed a DIY solution I would probably go with Baldy's cork plan or something similar.

My Axis plate came with one attached. It's had heavy use and is just now showing a crack in the rubber.

I have the same worry, would this be useful for a Slingshot metal mast plate?
how necessary is having something between the metal and the board?

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AUS220 said..how necessary is having something between the metal and the board?

Cosmetic only to save the paint from scratches if sand gets in there.

Unless you shim the mast to change the AOA.

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AUS220 said..
I have the same worry, would this be useful for a Slingshot metal mast plate?
how necessary is having something between the metal and the board?

If you don't see any scratches on your board, no big deal.
I do think it keeps the bolts snug tho. I like that about it.

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BWalnut keeps the bolts snug tho. I like that about it.

Not sure it would make any difference. The bolts tighten up on the plastic track which has enough give to stop the bolts rattling loose. The danger of a thick, eg cork mat, is you add in the potential for movement exactly where you do not want it.

A protector should be quite rigid (akin to a plastic 3d printed piece) and not soft nor super hard, because:

- As hilly says, if it compresses it reduces the tension on the bolts, and they can get loose more easily

- It will better spread the efforts in case of micro bumps on the board or plate surface

- A soft material may keep sand grains embedded, they will stay in the protector with a casual brushing, and the protector will create scratches :-)

^^ I agree with that

I wonder now what the best material would be - 2mm ish nylon sheet?

You've been given the answer. Buna-N 60A 1.5mm thick.

A lock washer works because it maintains tension. Those thin rubber sheets that come on many masts do keep tension on the screws and reduce the chances of harmonic vibrations from the foil causing one screw to come loose.

There are tolerances in manufacturing. If you think going extra tight on that one screw and putting extreme preloading on your **** plastic track is a genius plan, then go for it. Just maybe a few track failures are caused by user error. And by all means use a drill to drive those screws in even tighter. Just because your track hasn't failed yet, doesn't mean it won't someday.

That 1.5mm sheet is compressing and not causing a loss of feel or stiffness. It is keeping that one screw from coming loose, if your setup does that.

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DWF said..
You've been given the answer. Buna-N 60A 1.5mm thick.

A lock washer works because it maintains tension. Those thin rubber sheets that come on many masts do keep tension on the screws and reduce the chances of harmonic vibrations from the foil causing one screw to come loose.

There are tolerances in manufacturing. If you think going extra tight on that one screw and putting extreme preloading on your **** plastic track is a genius plan, then go for it. Just maybe a few track failures are caused by user error. And by all means use a drill to drive those screws in even tighter. Just because your track hasn't failed yet, doesn't mean it won't someday.

That 1.5mm sheet is compressing and not causing a loss of feel or stiffness. It is keeping that one screw from coming loose, if your setup does that.

Thanks for sharing the leg work.

Sabfoil used to sell a quick mount plate (not sure they still do, because they deliver mastbase with special pads. The quick mount Serves as a protector and keeps your nuts where you like them most.

forum.progressionproject.com/t/unifoil-bolts-always-seem-to-be-loose-after-every-session-no-matter-how-hard-i-torque-them-down/5309/4

I'm not on this forum. This guy just needs a rubber pad.

Plus one for sticky back sup rail tape.Two 3" pieces trim to fit & cut or punch holes.Works a treat.