Anyone used a Jez's Knob ? Just broke my nose off my new JP 93L freestyle [V. I'm also told you can get some kind of padding for your mast??? First time in the waves... wave sailing rocks!!

Thanks for your help Lesley. I'll take my board in and see how one fits. I'm still quite upset that I've damaged my new baby having only brought it new 1 week ago! What size board do you use it on?

Yeah I thought that might be the case. I'll try one for size anyway but I think your definitly right. Hopefully the mast padding will make a bit of difference. Man I was angry with myself when it happend such a good looking board!

If you are out in the waves I think the knob will hamper your efforts to bring the mast round the nose of the board when waterstarting as it cannot clear the knob. Gaffer tape some padding to the nose of you're board and use a mast protector upside down unsder you're boom head. It's usually the mast, and not the boom that is responsible for the cracks in the nose.

From what I've heard Jez's Knob is far more pratical for learner boards. Not being able to move the mast around the front of the board would be a real problem for me. A mast protector sounds precisely what I'm after. My week old JP should be ready for another thrashing this weekend!! Thanks guys for you help and advice.

I've often thought that the knob would concentrate all the impact to the one spot on the board (where it is attached). Seems to me like it wouldn't be long before major softness becomes an issue...

might be worth a read for those interested in a mast deflector

http://www.windsurfer.co.uk/nosedamage%20.htm

and bottom of this page

www.gunsails.co.uk/en/trimtips.htm#Caution


Although i've never used a deflector, i have had two boards where the mast track pushed into the board at the front end of the track due to landing jumps. Not all boards (especially some customs) have the mast track seated in a thick foam block reaching all the way to the bottom of the board. I've cut these damaged boards open and know this first hand.


also worth a read

www.boards.co.uk/articles/index.asp?ID_A=177&article_type=50

i think most of the modern production boards are stronger around the mast track now. Some pre 2000 models seem to be most likely to be less robust, and probably skimped on high density foam to reduce weight

personally i'd rather bust the nose than damage the mast track area. nose is generally quick and easy to fix, from the repairs i've done to my boards. not pretty repairs mind you, but are water tight

the problem with squashing the mast track into the board is that usually it is not easily noticed. You can go on sailing for ages before you realise that the skin of the board has seperated from the mast track, and water is soaking in. Usually u don't realise until the board has put on significant weight. at least nose damage is obvious.

Anyway. It seems from these articles that Jez's knob is the most mast track friendly

Jez's Knob Nose Protector
"Jez's Knobs are made from a hard but flexible plastic, and are available in a variety of attractive colours. They screw in place just in front of the deckplate and secure with the same type of bolt. The knobs work in part by deflecting the rig away from the nose, and in part by deforming upon impact – which absorbs some of the energy from the fall. They are recommended for use in conjunction with boom bras or "bash pads".
From an ergonomic perspective Jez's Knob performs well. It is quite small and sits neatly tucked up next to the deckplate, there are no nasty edges to catch your foot on, and it doesn't really get in the way during manoeuvres. It should be borne in mind, however, that the front 8.5cm of your mast track will become unusable with the Knob in place – which could be a problem for some boards.
In catapult simulation tests, the rig still made contact with the nose, though the severity of the impact was significantly reduced. Heavy catapulters will still need additional protection though. Excessive leverage seemed to be less of a problem with this design than with the Deviator - the flexible nature of the Knob appeared to be absorbing some of the stresses that the more rigid Deviator design was directing towards UJ and mast track.
Provided you don't need to position your deckplate at the front of your track the Jez's Knob is an unobtrusive piece of kit that effectively limits catapult damage, especially if used in conjunction with other forms of nose protection."
Captain Crash-Boards website