Had my universal disintegrate today at the end of the runway on Botany Bay, about 1.5 km from the nearest shore. Luckily there were plenty of guys out, so someone brought me out a spare and I got back in with no fuss.
There was no indication that this would happen, no loose bits, or other signs of wear. This has me thinking that I should probably replace the uni every few years as a matter of course. Boom too for that matter as I had one fail recently, but fortunately a lot closer to shore.
What do others think? Anyone else do this?
P.S. Thanks to Andrew for the spare parts, and also to Harold and Chloe for hanging around until I got going again.
Every few years! That's asking for trouble., I do mine at the start of every season.
You justed refreshed my memory l haven't changed my for 2 seasons.they just break with no warning .funny enough it happen to me down at botany few years back in a howling north/easter guess who toed me in a jetskeir .the one time l was glad to see one.just a thought wash the salt out after every sesh!
My uni has a strap as well as the rubber between the base and spike, I assumed this was for redundancy should the rubber give way. Is this the case or am I relying on hopes and dreams?
I replace my uni every season and the whole mast foot every 3 seasons. I use the orange tendons and write the date I install it with a permanent marker, no need to remember then.
Any mast foot that has rope or strapping will get you back to shore if the uni breaks but will almost certainly hack your board up near the mast track. If your uni is old then so is the rope.
AB....
Select to expand quoteBFlood said..
My uni has a strap as well as the rubber between the base and spike, I assumed this was for redundancy should the rubber give way. Is this the case or am I relying on hopes and dreams?
The spike broke out of the thread as the whole thread broke open and top part fell apart. Looked like a mix of metal fatigue and corrosion. The strap does nothing for you in that scenario. 
And trying to get back in 25 knots and bay chop would surely puncture the board even if the strapping held things roughly in place.
Thanks guys, you've confirmed my thoughts. New gear being ordered tomorrow.
It's worthwhile replacing all ropes as well (downhaul, inhaul and outhaul) each season.
The outhaul rope has the least tension on it. It surprises me why it shows the most wear, but it usually does.
Select to expand quoteBFlood said..
My uni has a strap as well as the rubber between the base and spike, I assumed this was for redundancy should the rubber give way. Is this the case or am I relying on hopes and dreams?
The strap works and can get you back to shore. If it says Ezzy and not JP.
Had experience with both 
Select to expand quoteBristol said..
It's worthwhile replacing all ropes as well (downhaul, inhaul and outhaul) each season.
The outhaul rope has the least tension on it. It surprises me why it shows the most wear, but it usually does.
It has the least tension on it when you rig but i'd suggest this changes as soon as you pull in your back hand. The constant change in tension wouldn''t do it's longevity any good either
My outhaul is down to almost the last thread. 
But I figure full length battens would hold it in reasonable shape to get home.
I carry spare spectra rope in the back of my harness (pocket) just in case of rope failure. Thought about putting a spare uni joint on my mast track but it gets in the way?
