Forums > Wing Foiling General

Padding for Unit handles to prevent board damage

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Created by north_kiter > 9 months ago, 16 Nov 2022
north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
16 Nov 2022 11:18PM
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Any ideas on what to use?

marco
WA, 314 posts
16 Nov 2022 9:19PM
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Pool noodle

DavidJohn
VIC, 17408 posts
17 Nov 2022 12:56AM
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I've seen people use road bicycle handle bar tape..

rgmacca
392 posts
17 Nov 2022 6:54AM
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I use bike bar tape on my sup handle, works well. I did make a carbon Unit mini boom and wrapped it with bar tape, but not used it yet.

mikesids
131 posts
17 Nov 2022 7:04AM
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3mm EVA insulation foam tape works well. I've also wrapped my Armstrong carbon Power Link bar in it and it has lasted well.

JohnnyTsunami
131 posts
17 Nov 2022 10:12AM
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Don't worry about it. I've only had duotone hard handled wing or booms and never damaged a board. F-one, fanatic, KT and two home made boards. If anything the handles take the beating. To be extra safe, one thing to avoid is when you get on your board hold the front handle with your downwind hand and your handles will never come in contact with your board.

north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
17 Nov 2022 4:18PM
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Thanks for the advice. My criteria is not to be heavy, attract sand, or be sticky and can be taken off for resale. Might try some wetsuit or foam with cable ties...

I have already damaged a e3 kalama rail by the handles. The wing hits the board often, so do both handles, it can happen easily with missed tacks, learning new tricks, crashing etc, you can't help it and obviously the board is not that strong.

I would've thought Duotone would've fixed the handles for the v3 unit, but no.

rgmacca
392 posts
17 Nov 2022 10:34PM
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north_kiter said..
Thanks for the advice. My criteria is not to be heavy, attract sand, or be sticky and can be taken off for resale. Might try some wetsuit or foam with cable ties...

I have already damaged a e3 kalama rail by the handles. The wing hits the board often, so do both handles, it can happen easily with missed tacks, learning new tricks, crashing etc, you can't help it and obviously the board is not that strong.

I would've thought Duotone would've fixed the handles for the v3 unit, but no.


I would try the cycling bar tape, comes off dead easy, just tape each end so won't unravel. They do feel nice in hands then.

ian0703
VIC, 6 posts
26 Nov 2022 10:00AM
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I've sacrificed a stubby holder for its thick neoprene. I cut a rectangular piece which I've stitched the long ends together to make a tube. Unscrewed one end of the handle and slipped it around to the corner of the handle which is the bit most likely to damage the board. There's a gap in the handle moulding where I put a hand stitch through to hold it in place. I only did this to the front corner of the front handle as that's the spot I was worried about.

burchas
335 posts
26 Nov 2022 7:23AM
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north_kiter said..
Any ideas on what to use?


Yes, different wing.
Sorry I could not resist. This wing is just bad Karma. I have the D-Lab 4M and I'm practically giving it away but no takers.

north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
26 Nov 2022 10:41AM
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my solution was to sell both my Units and got the Slick SLS with platinum boom, which I have to say is a nicer ride and a more well behaved wing. It is a more premium wing than the 2022/23 unit due to the penta tx material and smaller windows, so light, I got the 5.5m and 6.5m

It is not as grunty as the unit but to be able to go one hand with the boom is so nice, tacks and gybes so easy, takes a couple of hours to adjust from unit to SLS and I can use a harness now without fear of the handles ripping out!

The boom is padded so very low chance of board damage, no regrets changing at all.

warwickl
NSW, 2173 posts
26 Nov 2022 10:48AM
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burchas said..

north_kiter said..
Any ideas on what to use?



Yes, different wing.
Sorry I could not resist. This wing is just bad Karma. I have the D-Lab 4M and I'm practically giving it away but no takers.


What's the issue?
I have 4m dlab and used many times in 30kn wind and love it.

burchas
335 posts
26 Nov 2022 9:33AM
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warwickl said..

burchas said..


north_kiter said..
Any ideas on what to use?




Yes, different wing.
Sorry I could not resist. This wing is just bad Karma. I have the D-Lab 4M and I'm practically giving it away but no takers.



What's the issue?
I have 4m dlab and used many times in 30kn wind and love it.


Without Hijacking the thread I'll stay on these handles. Bad execution start to finish. How many times I've read about folks damaging their equipment or their heads with those. It's a real issue yet remains unchanged. My list of grievances is not relevant to this thread. I've flown
it into 30+knots wind as well but one would ask why?

mikey100
QLD, 1027 posts
26 Nov 2022 6:34PM
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Am about to try this- waterproof, easy to use, moulds to shape, light, inexpensive, variety of colours and comes off easily if it gets damaged. Will just put it on the handle end corners.

Capt.Gumby
QLD, 340 posts
27 Nov 2022 11:46AM
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Ive had to put 3M clear tape over the whole nose of my board as the unit handles where damaging the gel coat when doing the stink bug start. Has worked really well with no further damage. Gel coat on Cabrinha boards are crap....

mikey100
QLD, 1027 posts
5 Dec 2022 4:24AM
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mikey100 said..
Am about to try this- waterproof, easy to use, moulds to shape, light, inexpensive, variety of colours and comes off easily if it gets damaged. Will just put it on the handle end corners.


Tried it. Works great imp. No downside to it yet.

mikey100
QLD, 1027 posts
6 Dec 2022 6:31AM
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Select to expand quote
mikey100 said..

mikey100 said..
Am about to try this- waterproof, easy to use, moulds to shape, light, inexpensive, variety of colours and comes off easily if it gets damaged. Will just put it on the handle end corners.



Tried it. Works great imp. No downside to it yet.








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"Padding for Unit handles to prevent board damage" started by north_kiter