Had my leg leash snap on a recent session. Was beautiful to watch my foilboard to continue on foiling for some distance. Lucky no one was in the way.
The leash broke at the exact distance to the mast from its attachment point.
On closer inspection of the leash I found quite a few nicks around this area.
I was still satisfied the leash lasted for about a year considering quite a few breaches especially from overhead or pushy waves in sloppy surface conditions.
But I'm sure I would have got a longer life out of it if it was covered with some type of flexible armor over the potential damage area that could be inspected & replaced when necessary.
Just wondering if anyone has done something similar. Might be a good thing to market like rail & paddle edge protectors.
I would like to see something like a piece of hard floaty rubber tube that the leash fits into that could act as a leash float as well.
I don't think it matters how thick the leash is near the mast as the cuts will just get deeper after continuous contact with sharp edges.

Seajuice said..
But I'm sure I would have got a longer life out of it if it was covered with some type of flexible armor

That's exactly the FCS Freedom leashes, impervious to fin cuts.





But a warning, these are small wave leashes (low diameter cord, streamlined but fragile cord attachments). For SUPing it will break in head high waves. I broke mine on my 4th session with it, as all the other surfers I know.
But I am still using it on my small wave SUP. As long as you use it only in shoulder-high waves or less it works fine, and noticeably reduces drag. It is apparently great for a wing leash also, if you do not want a coiled leash there.

I don't understand why FCS does not make it in longer and thicker sizes, with sturdier attachments (and a more padded cuff for the bigger tractions), even at the expense of some added weight, it would be the leash to end all leashes...

Seajuice said..
I think the armour may damage or abraid the trailing edges of epoxy foil wings.

I don't think so, the thread sleeve is quite gentle and rash free on the skin, I doubt it would damage the foil.

You can just make one yourself: cut the cord of your leash, slip a fabric tube, and re-attach with a knot. If done well, a knot will be stronger than most leash systems. You should look how the hand-tied XM leashes where done...

colas said..

Seajuice said..
But I'm sure I would have got a longer life out of it if it was covered with some type of flexible armor

That's exactly the FCS Freedom leashes, impervious to fin cuts.

But a warning, these are small wave leashes (low diameter cord, streamlined but fragile cord attachments). For SUPing it will break in head high waves. I broke mine on my 4th session with it, as all the other surfers I know.
But I am still using it on my small wave SUP. As long as you use it only in shoulder-high waves or less it works fine, and noticeably reduces drag. It is apparently great for a wing leash also, if you do not want a coiled leash there.

I don't understand why FCS does not make it in longer and thicker sizes, with sturdier attachments (and a more padded cuff for the bigger tractions), even at the expense of some added weight, it would be the leash to end all leashes...

These leashes are terrible, they sink because they are heavy . I had one in Fiji on my prone and would constantly hook on the foil and even on the reef . I was given one to test and gave it away to one of the local Fijian kids before I came home . Having said that Sups are way more punishing on leashes because you are constantly throwing the board and it goes around the mast and wings . On the prone we rarely loose the board because we duck dive . All the new high aspect wings also have much sharper edges. Definitely a market for a hollow core leg rope that floats with an outer sheave with a superior swivel joint .