Nose Guard

Last post
AWD_Tiger's picture
AWD_Tiger
Offline
Joined: 04/26/2018 - 15:50
Posts: 115
Nose Guard

Nose guards seem to get mixed reviews on other forums. Some say that the board will still crack underneath the foam guard. I imagine some of these people are sailing in much crazier conditions that I will be.

Any opinions here?

These are the ones i was looking at:
https://northshoreinc.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=106

FYI, I have a Starboard Phantom 320.

0 Like
Randy's picture
Randy
Offline
Joined: 05/05/2002 - 10:38
Posts: 4656
Re: Nose Guard

I think that if you can get it the right size and attached correctly (which kind of the depends on the nose shape) the heavy foam kind like that are probably pretty good. I think the ones that people worried about damaging the boards were the heavy stiff fibreglass or plastic ones that fit over the nose. I would call the dealer and talk to them to make sure you get the right one for your board.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

0 Like
Marek
Offline
Joined: 11/27/2004 - 09:05
Posts: 226
Re: Nose Guard

Split a swimming noodle in half and glue it on.

Marek

0 Like
Langdon
Offline
Joined: 04/19/2016 - 18:03
Posts: 1399
Re: Nose Guard

ION makes a guard that clips on the mast .
This is what I used when I started out.
It saved the fragil thin nose of my AHD on numerous occasions.
OceanAir in Cape Hatteras sells them and I am sure you can get them online as well.
They are two models, one for Standard Diameter Masts and one for Reduced Diameter Masts.

You are welcome to try mine to see if you like it.

0 Like
Randy's picture
Randy
Offline
Joined: 05/05/2002 - 10:38
Posts: 4656
Re: Nose Guard

TBH - I don't think any of these things are really needed. It takes a pretty unlucky launch to bust up a nose. I've been launched as much as anyone, and never busted a nose. I've only ever seen one (on a board I bought, fixed and then sold). The main problem is the boom (or the part of the mast just below it) strikes the front of the board and crunches it - the area near the mast is simply not in much danger. Some guys use "boom bras" to prevent damage, but I never liked anything that goes on the mast or boom - just gets in the way. The padding on the nose seems like an ok idea. Marek is right though - you could just cut a noodle down the middle and glue to the board with hot glue. Hot glue can be removed with alcohol when you no longer need it. If looks matter then I'd get the commercial version.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

0 Like
ediksail
Online
Joined: 09/05/2008 - 22:22
Posts: 220
Re: Nose Guard

I was using Bic Nova for my first two seasons and never thought about nose gouard. This board is super strong. But after my first session on Exocet I damaged the nose. If you are still learning how to get both feets into foot-straps, you defeneatly need it. I bought the one you posted. I paid twice the price dough. If you don’t care how it looks, use a swim noodle. You can find many youtube videos on how to do it.

0 Like