New Tail Handle

[stoneaxe]

If nothing else just give the idea to one of the manufacturers....tell them they can make a donation to the CCBC....

[surfafrica]

I was thinking of trying one of the Surfco EZ Plug Contour Handles.  Has anyone tried one?  Anyone recommend against them?  I'm rarely in anything over head high.  Think this would be OK for the fingers?  Wrist? 

[southwesterly]

Seems like the next logical step would be to install two more leash plugs on the tail, 8 to 10 inches apart when you glass the board.

[Sup-position]

At least I can still make a Shaka with the 3 Middle Fingers Missing...

[The Kernel]

I was thinking of trying one of the Surfco EZ Plug Contour Handles.  Has anyone tried one?  Anyone recommend against them?  I'm rarely in anything over head high.  Think this would be OK for the fingers?  Wrist?

Been there, done that.  Several other Zoners have used this one also; I believe Kayadogg did too.  Search for and review their posts on this subject.   

I've found that this is a great option; just need to make sure you keep the handle tightly tied so that it doesn't flop around and encourage grabbing/wrist breaking.  I usually cut off the strings that go through the handle and make my own with 550 paracord; this allows the user to untie the knot and retighten as necessary.

[PonoBill]

What I'm working kind of half-heartedly on is a stomp pad with an integral handle. You can make one yourself as I did. Take a stomp pad with a thick heel and cut out an underhung finger slot near the back before you put it on. Works great, no chance of stuck fingers, and it doesn't change the effectiveness as a stomp pad. the other approach was a solid foam handle for boards with no stomp pad. Just one face with an overhang to grab and a ramp on the backside. I'd shoot a photo but the one I have here ripped off in heavy surf. I need to use something as robust as stomp pad material. I'm going to have some of both made and might even play around with selling some. Ponostyle.com is tanned, rested and ready. It would require some actual effort on my part, so don't hold your breath.

[covesurfer]

I think this sounds like a good job for the 3-D printer Bill.

[surfafrica]

What I'm working kind of half-heartedly on is a stomp pad with an integral handle. You can make one yourself as I did.

Very cool.  Do you have any pics Bill?  (sorry if you've already posted and I missed them)

[stoneaxe]

I was thinking of trying one of the Surfco EZ Plug Contour Handles.  Has anyone tried one?  Anyone recommend against them?  I'm rarely in anything over head high.  Think this would be OK for the fingers?  Wrist?

I have the Surfco on my Vec...so far so good but if you're ordering the Surfco handle you can, for about the same price, get enough plugs and make a DIY thats better and do a few boards. No guarantee on wrist but like the kernel said....you don't want it so loose that it can twist and trap. it's the fingers that are in the most danger.

I think Bill's stomp pad idea is best, though I haven't found one with a heel thick enough to be really effective, I need more to grip. If I can't find one I'll just add some more under it. It's what I'll do on any new boards.

[eastbound]

this thing works great. 1" pvc pipe, foam insulation, wrapped with monster tape. left hollow, so drains.

[surfcowboy]

Eastbound that looks familiar, great minds.

2 Surfco mounts, paracord inside vinyl tubing, covered in pipe insulation, duct tape.

No stretch, no bind, no real way to get your hand stuck in it. 2 years and counting and it's passed every test.

$15 tops.

[eastbound]

not exactly original thought, but so clumsy with search on this forum, couldnt find prior examples.

there have been a few variations on this theme. clearly one mustve been yours.

i might go to 3/4" pipe for my S3. it's lighter and less unwieldy in the work zone.

[supsurf-tw]

A good reason to start a new thread sometimes is because it sparks lots of new ideas and dialog. If you just searched everything there wouldn't me much use for a forum after awhile.

[linter]

does anyone have a cheap source for those plugs?  at most places i've seen or found, between the plugs themselves and shipping, the price is ridiculous. or maybe someone should set up a group buy?

[SUPJorge]

Covesurfer, you wrote::

Even is mushy waves, if it's big, the whitewash is incredibly powerful and it will just grab the board. The Raptor strap will stretch enough that your hand ends up far enough behind the tail that it will get pinched when the board springs back. I've tried doing the pushup move, but still, when the handle stretches under load and then returns, you will have your fingers trapped between the strap and that nice swallow tail.

I have the same set up (NSI+Raptor) and through my handle was recently stretched long enough to break the elastic (though not the handle strap itself) I haven't had that problem. Were your fingers wrapped all the way around the handle or just part way?