Hi!
I have just bought a brand new Tabou Rocket 145 LTD and I don't want to take any chances of breaking the nose, because it is unquestionable that with these superlight boards, there is always a trade off between performance and a certain fragility. So I am planning to buy The Deviator. .
I'd like to know if The Deviator can be safely used with one bolt mast bases instead of 2 bolts. I don't sail in high winds, I don't race and my speed is not likely to submit the board to a lot of abuse and/or stress on the mast track whenever I fall. Besides, I have already been using a 1 bolt mast base and I never had any problems. I can't see how The Deviator could in any shape and manner make a 1bolt base any less solid or prone to be yanked off the track under normal use.
.Can somebody comment on this ?
Thank you
Franco
I bought one but admittably have never used it. From my research I believe the danger is from the lever effect that happens with the deviator as a 'fulcrom' of the lever. Without the deviator the mast would just stop when it hits the water or your board nose, while with the deviator it can put a lot of up force on the mast foot. Research says a one bolt base does not distribute the load enough.
However as you said you're not planing to go too hardcore with your sailing so the catapults are likely to be less intensive so more than likely you will be fine. I ended up investing in a wrap around mast base protector that I place just under the boom to absorb nose impacts. It's not perfect but it helps.
If you have to go with one of those things I would suggest the Jez's Knob is a better solution. Its bendy and compliant so it absorbs shock loads.
Alternatively you can slip a pad around your mast below the boom.
Received wisdom has it that a nose pad is the best solution.
This was discussed in an earlier topic but it was too long ago & I can't find it.I know someone who has used a pool noodle but it gets damaged after the nose hits it & chunks come off so it looks pretty tatty + not its effectivess drops as it is destroyed.I had found a website that discussed how to rig one but i cant find that now either..
or get a decent JP nose protector ( for sale $60 unused..
) shameless self plug...
Yeah I put a pool noodle on my old big board. It really is a little embarrassing but would be worth it if you fear a nose bash. Silicon doesn't work because it adherse to only the very outter fibres of the spongey noodle so the noodle rips off quite easily and leaves very nasty looking silicon with bits of noodle in it.
I also tried vulcrow strips so you can take it off and on; the noodle just rips off in the wind.
Go to Bunnings and get the Aqua Glue that can be put into the same gun as the silicon(about $20). It will seep into the pores of the noodle enough to hold it firm.
On my old Carve, the nose was so pointy that I risked sail tearage so I ended up just cutting a flat piece of noodle so it didn't bulge up so high and spray painted it the same blue as the board. You have to look quite close to even see it is there.
Francone!
There's about as much chance of Jez's knob ripping your mast track out as your Tabouli has of catching an STD.
It was designed so it couldn't, unless the board was already rooted!
There have been no instances that have shown otherwise, merely hearsay from I-sailors, needing to say something on forums to prove that they exist.
I don't claim that the knob will prevent 100% of damage to the nose, just that it'll reduce the likelyhood of it. Used with a piece of foam & improving technique, you should pass through the destroyer stage unscathed.
Good luck.
Jez.
after 30+ years of witnessing smashed noses, i have this little piece of advice.
the dudes who smash noses off boards always resist with all their strength "the catapult" therefore releasing their bodyweight, the rigs weight and the rubber band action of the wind buildup in the sail to jackhammer anything in the masts path (unhooked or not)
enjoy your catapult i say, go with it and relax early! 
How apt this thread is to my recent CATAPULT, boom protector...hmmm pool noodle, velcro, electric carving knife (thanks dear), glue...yeah baby here I come. Oh and a Jez's knob. Who sells them?
Might even make a mast protector for just under the boom head.
Greenleader, I did as you said and went with the flow. As I sailed through the air I thought I remember doing this over 20 years ago, it still feels the same!
Don't waste your time with a pool noodle
as board crazy said it WILL break and tear off easily and get very tatty from minor impacts
I removed mine a few weeks back, the silicon was a real buggger to peel off but most came off eventually with a scraper. the noodle just fell apart easily when i began tearing it off.
get a jp nose protector have one on my other board and it is durable and undoubtably protected my board.
