Looks like using the loop is the simplest solution with a tether to the rear footstrap screwhole.
What tether material works best....I was thinking of 3mm stainless steel cable with crimped loops at each end.
Speaking as someone who broke the fuselage off the strut, I like the idea of running the line all the way down to the fuselage. More line and a bit more drag, but you'd be saving the most expensive part of your gear.
I would like to hear everybody's history and experience if they are tethering a line all the way down to the fuselage. That means you have that line in the water all the time. That might be the equivalent of having weed fronds on the foil. Those fronds absolutely kill the ability to make any kind of speed or lift on a foil. One (or more) frond = no flight in my experience.
Coated kite line works really well for me. Easy to use since I use stick-on bases at the top of the no-flange mast. I use Q-Power line.
MFC also makes stick-on bases, but the zip tie bases are a tiny fraction of the cost.
For anyone dubious of the value of a tether for powerbox, go to 8:50 in this edition of Send It Sunday
I just used some extra down haul line to teather it down. You don't need to spend extra money and buy the kite line to teather.
Similar to MagicRide and segler...I will be using Dyneema small diamter rope.
www.air-work.swiss/unuSiteManager/Presentation/Public/upload/doc/dyneema.pdf
Make into a lanyard and attach one eyelet to rear footstrap screw hole and the other end as a simple lasso around the foil under the flange (NP Glidewind powerbox adaptor). Drag should be negligible as the foil will be mostly out and above the waterline
I'll post pics in a few days.
Select to expand quoteToe said..
Similar to MagicRide and segler...I will be using Dyneema small diamter rope.
www.air-work.swiss/unuSiteManager/Presentation/Public/upload/doc/dyneema.pdf
Make into a lanyard and attach one eyelet to rear footstrap screw hole and the other end as a simple lasso around the foil under the flange (NP Glidewind powerbox adaptor). Drag should be negligible as the foil will be mostly out and above the waterline
I'll post pics in a few days.
That should work fine. Whatever little drag there is from schlog until lift off, you will not notice it. It's always a smooth take off with my setup. Happy foiling!
Select to expand quoteToe said..
Similar to MagicRide and segler...I will be using Dyneema small diamter rope.
www.air-work.swiss/unuSiteManager/Presentation/Public/upload/doc/dyneema.pdf
Make into a lanyard and attach one eyelet to rear footstrap screw hole and the other end as a simple lasso around the foil under the flange (NP Glidewind powerbox adaptor). Drag should be negligible as the foil will be mostly out and above the waterline
I'll post pics in a few days.
fwiw, if you are using a SS, I'd use some sort of "mechanical" connection, too. ie have the lanyard taped/attached/NSI sticky attachment, etc to the mast. Have known a couple of SS fail at the mast-head connection and the mast just slips through the lanyard loop.
Couple things. I have tried alternatives to the coated kite line, and the attach point on the foil.
First, the coated kite line is USD $0.75 per foot at Windance. I like it because you can tie and untie many times without it fraying on the end. Also, it has a very small diameter to minimize any kind of slogging drag. Actually this does not matter much if you get it up into flight quickly.
Second, even with the thin kite line, when I have attached it to the fuselage, the ~100 cm length dragging through the water acts like a weed front and noticeably restricts getting up to speed. It continues to drag in the water even in flight. This is noticeable and not good. You want a clean structure down there while in flight.
My big worry has always been failure of the finbox rather than the foil connections down below. This is why I have always leashed to the top of the foil mast (see the LP photo above). Even with a flanged foil (like LP above) I attach the leash rather than looping it. The doubled attach points and short bit of line cause negligible drag when slogging and pumping, and are free and clear when flying.
I've leashed every day of my foiling sessions.
Takes 30 seconds to tie or untie a bowline.
The little warble alerts sea life that you are approaching.
I use 1.9 mm New England Rope Spider line, see pic., used epoxy to hold it to plate. Use a small ss carabiner to connect it to the line on the board, also added a bungee cord on the board to take up the slack so no line is dragging in the water.
