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isochores
Joined: 23 Jun 2014 Posts: 1
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:23 pm Post subject: Which mast step material is better - rubber or tendon? |
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Which one would be better in high wind conditions, a rubber or tendon mast step? |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Don't forget rigid thermoplastic, as in Chinook's mechanical joint.
Each has its own pros and cons, as I'm sure the ensuing thread will reveal. |
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konajoe
Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 517
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 8:49 pm Post subject: |
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A shop owner told me that the most reliable was the mechanical joint, followed by the hour glass, then the tendon. |
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coachg
Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 12:37 am Post subject: |
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By better do you mean strength or softness?
Coachg |
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swchandler
Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:29 am Post subject: |
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For those of you that sail with hourglass universals, just take a second and look down at it while sailing, particularly in very windy conditions. It's hard to believe how distorted and stretched-out they become. On top of that, many hourglass designs do not locate the threaded rod on center, so that when you screw it on, it might be skewed to one side of the board or the other.
Frankly, I'm surprised that anyone would be touting the hourglass universal as more reliable. The only universal that ever failed on me in over 28 years of windsurfing was an hourglass one. For many years now, I've totally sold on tendon universals. Pretty hard to beat Chinook's Euro-pin stainless steel/tendon universal for toughness and bulletproof reliability. In my view, they are the benchmark design. |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:47 am Post subject: |
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coachg wrote: | By better do you mean strength or softness? |
Or responsiveness? Maintenance? Durability? Speed? Ease of use? They all differ, and they matter differently to different users. My head is reeling; this stuff's tougher than string theory. |
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nw30
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 6485 Location: The eye of the universe, Cen. Cal. coast
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:50 am Post subject: |
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I use both the hour glass and the tendon, when sailing I can't tell the difference, but I believe the hour glass has one advantage.
It will warn you before it fails, assuming you'll look at it before going out. It will always crack a little bit first, and it's always easy to spot.
The tendon usually fails at where the screw goes thru it at the top or bottom, it may crack first, but you can't see it. |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:56 am Post subject: |
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nw30 wrote: | the hour glass has one advantage.
It will warn you before it fails, assuming you'll look at it before going out. It will always crack a little bit first, and it's always easy to spot ... |
... or not. One of my black rubber hourglasses snapped in its first session, and Chinook had a flood of synthetic hourglasses snap within minutes many years ago. That said, I still prefer and use black hourglasses. If I still used full-diameter masts, I'd still be using Chinook mechanical joints with Hydroshoks. |
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bred2shred
Joined: 02 May 2000 Posts: 989 Location: Jersey Shore
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:30 am Post subject: |
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swchandler wrote: | For those of you that sail with hourglass universals, just take a second and look down at it while sailing, particularly in very windy conditions. It's hard to believe how distorted and stretched-out they become. On top of that, many hourglass designs do not locate the threaded rod on center, so that when you screw it on, it might be skewed to one side of the board or the other.
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All true, but I've been sailing rubber hour glass universals for over 15 years and can't say I've ever noticed or felt any negative impact on performance because of this.
The rubber hour glass also has some other advantages - 1) it's softer material provides some degree natural cushion between the rig and the board. 2) it is the lowest cost of all options.
sm |
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gregnw44
Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 783 Location: Seattle, Wa
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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ALL this, is good info. I have all 3 styles. Keep the info coming.
Something that hasn't been mentioned about the mechanical U-joint, is -
If (for "whatever" reason... and there are MANY different reasons for people in different situations)... if you're carrying your rig and your board into the water separately. And then, you attach them while standing in choppy water. The mech. U-j is WAY easier for you to put your gear together, or take it apart.
But what about reliability? I've heard that Mech. joints can break without warning... that they can snap, if the rig falls at just the right angle. It hasn't happened to me, but I believe the sailor that told me this.
Anyway, I've always thought -
* Mech. are the most convenient, easy to use.
* Tendons are the strongest, and easy to replace.
* Rubber hourglass is soft, absorbs some shock... maybe easier on your board or rig or you.
Greg |
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