Messages

1981

Gear Talk / Re: Need help understanding handle in Surftech - Jamie Mitchell 12.6..

« on: March 06, 2014, 12:12:28 PM »

I simply couldn't resist....



I made a handle that can be left in place ..or removed.




I had some SS hooks left from another project and these common handles.  The idea (based on potentially fallacious science) is; hooks in opposing tension cannot release.    But, when relaxed, I can press down and release the hooks. 

..seems like it might work but too cold/windy to field test.

If anybody wants a couple of these hooks - for the postage, PM me.

Jim

 

1982

Gear Talk / Re: Need help understanding handle in Surftech - Jamie Mitchell 12.6..

« on: March 06, 2014, 10:55:45 AM »

Cool Dwight.. We like the idea of being able to lock.. 'never thought?!  I had an idea about a double-hook/handle gizmo, but SWers's is probably the best solution. Thanks all.

Jim

1983

Gear Talk / Need help understanding handle in Surftech - Jamie Mitchell 12.6..

« on: March 06, 2014, 08:48:49 AM »

None of the other boards I have been around have this bar in the center.  That, along with vertical side walls pretty much preclude me using this as my primary lift-and-carry point.  I have the 'race' handles like the 14' model below.



I am attempting to figure if this 'bar' in the middle of the handle has an intended use.  Any thoughts?  Thanks.

Jim

The board is beautiful .. if 'form is function' ..then this will be one sweet paddle.  With my local water at 40f .. it will remain a Hangar Queen (airplane talk) 'till the water warms some.

1984

Training, Diet, and Fitness / Re: New balancing act - Slackline.

« on: March 05, 2014, 05:10:49 AM »

Big, ...that's the point; doing something I cannot do.  On a good day, I can balance for a few seconds. I have even made a few steps. The next day, it can be simply impossible to mount it?!  Just those few seconds are wonderful - for someone who would have never considered a slackline before SUP.  I plan a final departure exceeding my expectations.

Jim

1985

SUP General / Re: Sun damage?

« on: March 04, 2014, 07:37:56 AM »

Stoked,  Since you had your first car - a lot of things have changed, even in the last couple of years. The auto detailer folks are a help to us.  One item specifically seems to have addressed the UV problem: Optimum Car Wax.   Following are is a clip from one of the detailer's forums.

"The UV absorbers we use in the Optimum Car Wax are the same as those in the clearcoat paint. The testing we did is an ASTM standard test for automotive paint. A series of panels were painted with automotive base coat/clear coat at the Bayer polymer division (they supply isocyanates to the major OEM paint suppliers and some car manufacturers). The panels were placed in a QUV chamber for roughly 1,500 hours which is equivalent to 5-7 years of external UV exposure. As the test progressed, it was evident that the panels that had Optimum Car Wax with UV protection did not show any fading for the duration of the test while the panels without UV lost gloss and reflectivity (Definition of Image). These results are listed at the end of the patent 6,669,763 (you can use this link United States Patent: 6669763) which was awarded for this new technology since no other wax or sealant provided UV protection."

3-5 months is the life of the bonded wax to a well prepped surface. it has no bearing on the life of the UV inhibitors contained within it. As long as you keep the wax on the car and replaced it as you see beading falling away, you will have the UV protection. OCW has no abrasives and no solvents, so it's intended use is to protect properly prepped surfaces. Dirt, overspray, contaminates, etc. should be removed prior to use."


It's a spray .. about $15.  Seems to make sense.

Jim

1986

Training, Diet, and Fitness / Re: New balancing act - Slackline.

« on: February 28, 2014, 11:52:35 AM »

Axe, I'm with you.  I can't go on the boardwalk for fear of getting ticketed for Walking Impaired.  I had to think back when I was a little kid - my mother put me in a dance class about age 6-7? because she thought I was clumsy.  I had kited for the 11yrs prior to buying an SUP.. proned infrequently a decade before that, but absolutely fell flat on my face the first time I paddled a 29" SUP ..in flatwater! 

It wasn't 'till I got Rick Week's 9-6 AW that I could stay aboard in the ocean.  I am a helluva lot better now but still get my ass handed to me when there's a cross swell and wind chop.   I also like a flat water workout so if it's unruly on one side of the dune - I always have the other.   Press on, eh?!  Cheers.

Jim

1987

Gear Talk / Re: A Better Leash Design

« on: February 28, 2014, 08:24:39 AM »

I like that knot!  So I did a quick test.. It's 23 F'ing degrees outside and I have a short attention span away..



Paracord .. 9mm urethane .. ratchet/straps I use to secure deadwood from my woods on the way to the dump - a Dillon dynamometer I got when I had a bright idea for a kite line years ago (PVC coated dyneema)  ..next door there were two close poles.



I would normally test to failure but it meant I'd have to rig my electric winch. Pulling that ratchet handle while standing inline is stupid, so I only took it to 100lbs.



Not one for always following instructions, I did not get 10 wraps of the paracord. The above pic is in its relaxed posture.



The above pic is the LH side under tension.





... RH side under tension.  Where I did not get the knot set well.

Results:  The 9mm urethane started out 44"/112cm.  At 100lbs/45kg tension: 44" became 77"/195cm  ..and 9mm became 7mm.

I left it sitting outside for 30 minutes in case it was 'slow to fail' but no, it was fine.  When relaxed afterward, the length only grew the amount the short end of each tail crept forward under tension. (you can see where the SS hog ring shifted)

The only other thing I noticed - there was a snapping sound that seemed to come from within the urethane.  I have a stethoscope but it's too F'ing cold.



Beasho, I'll add it to your packet. Maybe you can dump a pair of 12" concrete blocks out of a tree to test it for shock loading. Mine test was in SloMo.   Fun stuff.

Jim

1988

SUP General / Re: Beautiful model dropping into a wave for the 2014 SUPathon T-shirts

« on: February 28, 2014, 05:43:25 AM »

He looks as if he's planning to slap a sponger with his paddle. "Gd'dmm..Spongers  ..always lurking inside!" 

Nice photo conversion tho'.. forget going to art school for illustration; stay home, learn filters Photoshop instead.

Jim

1989

Gear Talk / Re: My $15 tail handle

« on: February 27, 2014, 11:16:45 AM »

Tuna,  I thought about your idea.  I learned never to totally dismiss anything. ..except maybe trading life for 72 virgins.



These two seemed to hold promise: 5/8s and 3/4".  I totally dismissed 3/4, 3-ply twisted as it seems waay too slippery.  At that, the 3/4 braided knot seems to provide enough 'back stop' and grip circumference.  I foresee the 5/8 blowing right thru your best grip.  As it is, with enough forward thrust, I cannot see myself holding onto anything where the first line of resistance is my little finger when my hand is at a diagonal. ...Paaa'ting!  A rope tail like this could eliminate the spiraling-board issue.

The real deal killer (forgetting anybody willing to accept drag hanging off the tail ) was attaching the board end of the rope to your leash or leash plug.  I quit thinking about it when Rube Goldberg started whispering in my ear. 

Jim

1990

Training, Diet, and Fitness / Re: New balancing act - Slackline.

« on: February 27, 2014, 07:22:23 AM »

Sheee't Big,  Talking big but staying inside... I went to school in Minneapolis, iceboated in Wisconsin and was cold most of my life, but F'ing hate it now. I'm acting like those people from FL who come up here in the summer.  Excuse #2.. it's also been wet as hell so slipping off the line onto muddy ground is asking for it.

One thing I have learned; if you want to ramp up your balance ..remove your eyes from the equation. Put a thin cord on the floor and do the drunk-walk (heel-to-toe) with your eyes closed.  It forces the two systems in your ears to take up the slack.

I also found a lot of 'how to' slackline vids on YouTube.. but this Pete guy near S.D. comes closest to explaining it to me.



...my water, bayside, is 43f. so it won't be too..too long before I will flatwater again.

Jim

1991

Gear Talk / Re: A Better Leash Design

« on: February 27, 2014, 06:53:41 AM »

Beasho,  I'll make up a CARE package.. I've got a 3rd pair of these hog ring pliers somewhere..and plenty of these SS rings. As they are undersize for this cord, I would only use them as a place-holder then use stout line to seize the loop behind your eye.





It took me a while to find an example what I remembered from a prior life about fixing a loop, but here's a pretty good explanation.
 
http://www.deck-officer.info/subjects/seizings.htm?reload_coolmenus


I would expect a 'dynamic' clamp vs. fixed, like a metal compression sleeve, would work better where the urethane itself is dynamic. I've got some waxed cord and some heavy linen cord I'll stick in the package.

Jim

1992

Gear Talk / Re: cutting my legs shorter?

« on: February 25, 2014, 05:07:19 AM »

Some rubber is more stretchy than others...  If that stitch looks like this...



..is a bartack which will keep the end of the leg from blowing out when pushing a big foot thru a small hole.  If in Daytona.. call around for a canvas shop, a dive shop, etc. and see if can direct you to someone with a commercial zig-zag and/or barracker.  Iron-on seam tape will help too. 


Jim

1993

Gear Talk / Re: SUP Carry Strap with Foam Sleeve

« on: February 23, 2014, 01:56:14 PM »

Sounds like you are also describing a 'foot strap' used in kiteboarding/poleboarding. DaKine has a quite narrow one.  I threw one out about a month ago because it didn't have a match. 

I'd ask Jim K. in NJ because I am sure he's seen many of these 'slim' models.  You would still need a decent size hand to get a good grip on it. 

Jim

1994

SUP General / Re: In search of.... a GoPro diary of a winter day

« on: February 18, 2014, 06:05:03 AM »

Rick,  You guys are 'The Men'.  200mi South of you our local surf report shows the water temp. is 35f.   Hell, you see full suits on the Cocoa Beach cam this time of year with water temps. of 66f..?! 

Your boy Brendon deserves an award, or a session with a shrink, for being out there alone.  Civilians in down jackets are useless if he gets in trouble. 

Jim

1995

Gear Talk / Re: What GoPro should I get?

« on: February 09, 2014, 11:37:29 AM »

There are alternatives...  One recent, shockingly similar cam, became available from China that is like $123. (delivered) when you (I*) add/ed a 32gb, Cl.10 card.  It has about 1.6 hours of battery life.. so having to keep track of a remote and then arm the camera when the right set is headed your way.. may be overcome with having an extra battery and MicroSD card back with your Gatorade.  A guy in the UK did a review on this new ChinaCam.



Jim

*I like the motion detection feature.  I will probably attach mine to a tree just inside my gate at home.  I have a four year old 'Deer cam' but it's has poor resolution.