I have a cut in mine, probably no more than 20% the way through, just wondering if anyone has tried to repair them before? I have already replaced it, but would rather have a half useful spare rather than just throwing it.
Cut it into two pices,get a cigerett lighter and heat up both ends till they start to melt then push them together and hold till the plastic cools enough to touch.Be carefull because the hot plastic will blister your skin and thats about it really.We use to do this a lot back in the early 80s when we were all on the dole and couldn't even afford acake of wax between us......
It is the only connection between you and a loose board potentially wreaking havoc,bite the bullet and opt for a new one.Now got to get back to restitching my car seat belts
Cut it into two pices,get a cigerett lighter and heat up both ends till they start to melt then push them together and hold till the plastic cools enough to touch.Be carefull because the hot plastic will blister your skin and thats about it really.We use to do this a lot back in the early 80s when we were all on the dole and couldn't even afford acake of wax between us......
Used this method many years ago in a 1968 VW combi van on a trip to Kalbarri to replace a broken fan belt on the old Binnu rd. From memory we had to rejoin it every 20kms or so. Ah the glory days W
I agree with all sentiments of replacing it, which I have already done. Will try applying heat and seeing what happens, not looking for it to be a big wave leash or anything like that, but surely it will suffice as a spare or for the days when the kids are playing on a spare board.
Drill a hole in either end of the broken section so that a coat hanger wire can fit through it. Put the cat hanger wire through either end. Not so tightly that the wire snaps. Cut to an appropriate size ( about two inches) and use pliers to join both ends use a little more wire over the joining piece sort of like a hangmans noose and maker sure everything is nice and tight without any sharp ends. Cover the wire with good quality gaffer or cloth tape preferably water proof (most of it is). It is now the strongest part of the legrope. That doesn't mean go out in 20ft Wiamea. but it should hold in small surf for a while dependant on how thick the synthetic elasticised part of the legrope is. BUY A NEW LEGROPE!!
Drill a hole in either end of the broken section so that a coat hanger wire can fit through it. Put the cat hanger wire through either end. Not so tightly that the wire snaps. Cut to an appropriate size ( about two inches) and use pliers to join both ends use a little more wire over the joining piece sort of like a hangmans noose and maker sure everything is nice and tight without any sharp ends. Cover the wire with good quality gaffer or cloth tape preferably water proof (most of it is). It is now the strongest part of the legrope. That doesn't mean go out in 20ft Wiamea. but it should hold in small surf for a while dependant on how thick the synthetic elasticised part of the legrope is. BUY A NEW LEGROPE!!
That's so cruel.. What else do you use the cat hanging wire for? ..
Seriously tho.. I wouldn't be using any wire.. If your leggie is a Balin brand and if it's broken very close to an end.. and if you're local to Melbourne.. You can ask Balin to fit/glue a new end on it for you.. Cos Balin leggies are Aussie made..
I've seen a leash shortened this way so I'm guessing a repair is poss.. That's the only type of leash repaire I'd be doing..
It will shorten the leash and create drag, but if well tightened before going back in the water (heavy pull on the leash) should be very resistant with no hard point to make it break again. Once well tightened, I guess by cutting the extra lengths and streamlining it by melting a bit the ends, it could be made into a permanent solution. Do not use without well tightening it, or it will slip.
That's so cruel.. What else do you use the cat hanging wire for? ..
DJ
I tie their legs to my four poster bed after I wrap them in the spare gaffer tape AKA as the Guinea Pig theory
BTW if its just to finish of a session a simple reef knot with heaps of Duct tape will work, just remember your leggy is much shorter then so keep your head down till you know your boards on the water!!
I wasn't going to post a serious comment here, but sometimes it's worth trying to repair a leggy as opposed to missing out on an all-time sesh. Once back in civilisation - buy a new leggy though.
1. Keep about 2' of windsurfer's downhaul rope (2-4mm good quality, not formuline - too slippery?) in your wetty pocket. 2. Tie a double fisherman's (can be done before & left tied, although difficult to untie if needed). www.animatedknots.com/double-fishermans-bend-knot 3a. If the leggy has snapped near the end, simply tie one klemheist knot (or prussik) around the chord about 2" from the end & pull (very) tight. www.animatedknots.com/klemheist/ 3b. If the break is in the centre - it's a bit more tricky, but tie a klemheist to both chord ends.
disclaimer - I've never tried this and it might not work if your leggy is stiff plastic & slippery.
Yeah as a kid, we used to repair our shortboard leggies all the time and got pretty good at it. Do it like gumballs said - I'd add that the trick is to make sure you don't overheat it (when you start to get soot forming and surface bubbles). If you do, you need to cut it back to clean material again. Having said that, you need to sure the entire face of both ends of your legrope are molten (just beyond tacky) otherwise you won't get the strength. The repaired bit often outlasted the rest of the legrope. I once had one with 3 joins in it!
Fine if you're surfing by yourself, but no way I'd rely on it on in a crowd and especially on a leg-stretching SUP.
not worth the trouble or the worry it will ping in the surf and cause chaos in the line (and the inevitable swim of shame) ... chuck it out coz there's always specials in surf shops
yeah mate, I am going to give heat a go, nothing to lose. As mentioned, it hasn't broken in half, it has just got a nick in it so hopefully I can melt around the nick a bit to prevent it getting worse and to try to retain some strength. Definitely only going to be used on the old board for the kids, flat water type stuff. I have replaced it with a Balin one - had no plans of using the dodgy one in the surf either.
My experience is a leg rope with a nick in it will break sooner or later in the surf. Once broken you can definitely heat up the two ends with a lighter as some one suggested - I've done it and a mate of mine has been supping in waves on it for some time now. To keep my session going in the surf, I have tied a broken leg rope with a reef knot with each end locked off with a simple knot - and pulled very tight! Much shorter but still going...
I ain,t no expert ,,, but i reakon leashes should be graded by braking strain like fishing line,,,If i went out in 10 ft surf and got caught out but new in the back of me mind the leash would snap under a certain amount of tow,then alls well ,,right,,,and as well there being a safe channel to swim homeFkn leash suppliers,,get your grading right IE 3 to 10 foot!!!!!
seriously Bruzz, if u found a hole in ya condom would you be trying to patch that sucker too? go to balin.com and get yourself a stormrider 10mm SUP leggy "the hose" and stop being a tight ass, Robbo
