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Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:47 pm
by Bletti
Anyone play around with both and have a preference?

Re: Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 1:22 am
by juandesooka
I have NSI Foot Hooker front and the old NSI Klingon back. For front, I like how I can press my foot under it to guide board for water start. Rear one is more something to press against, doesn't need much or any hook over top of toes. My only complaint is that the plastic base breaks pretty easy. I understand that's for self protection: break the plastic vs break your leg, but an expensive failsafe at $50 a pop. The other failsafe is for kite line caught on hook, kite looping, maybe it breaks off before you loop into a cliff.

I made a DIY hook with a cutting board and 10 minutes with a heat gun. Would work fine, but it doesn't have the fail safe (meaning it is TOO strong!). But if you figured out a fail safe mechanism, that's about 50 cents vs 50 bucks. ;-)
20170728_101338_resized.jpg

Re: Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 2:14 am
by tegirinenashi
Slingshot foot hook breaks where the holes are. Apparently, somebody on the design team thought that the more openings they cut, the better (or he just thoroughly enjoyed creating an artwork of numerous carvings in otherwise blunt piece of plastics). There is little else to complain: with little abuse the hook should be good for 20 sessions or so. The $30/piece cost is not even worth asking if this thing is covered by warranty.

Just for experiment, I torched one from PVC pipe -- its thickness is about the same as slingshot. Wrapped it in neoprene leftovers from old wetsuit. Didn't test it yet.

P.S. Cutting board... that's an interesting idea!

Re: Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:30 am
by abel
One rear NSI hooker broke. Sent a pic and asked if it was under warranty. Got a positive answer and an immediate replacement.
Great support!
But, then another one broke :angryfire:
I analyzed the the breaking pattern and concluded that the bending forces around a single screw is the weakest point.
I added two screws inline with the original one, using the rectangular washer with three holes.
Image
and since then no further issues. :D

Re: Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:41 pm
by slowboat
juandesooka wrote:
Sat Sep 16, 2017 1:22 am
I have NSI Foot Hooker front and the old NSI Klingon back. For front, I like how I can press my foot under it to guide board for water start. Rear one is more something to press against, doesn't need much or any hook over top of toes. My only complaint is that the plastic base breaks pretty easy. I understand that's for self protection: break the plastic vs break your leg, but an expensive failsafe at $50 a pop. The other failsafe is for kite line caught on hook, kite looping, maybe it breaks off before you loop into a cliff.

I made a DIY hook with a cutting board and 10 minutes with a heat gun. Would work fine, but it doesn't have the fail safe (meaning it is TOO strong!). But if you figured out a fail safe mechanism, that's about 50 cents vs 50 bucks. ;-)

20170728_101338_resized.jpg
I had an NSI foot hook break with very little force on it. I don't think they break for "self protection". The concept of the foot hook is great. They give good support and there is almost no way your foot can get caught in one to cause injury. They just break too easily.

Re: Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 11:08 pm
by Bletti
Perhaps I'll find an old cutting board to make a set. Thanks for the feedback. I doubt they are engineered to purposely fail. Back in hood river I was a cleaver homemade version that form a solid c shape on the front with a raised centre section.

Re: Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:59 am
by jaros
I am using the old Predator surf hook for 3 years and it still looks strong. I cut half of it off in first year, since it is to long and getting in the way otherwise. It is a shame they do not produce them anymore, they could sell well these days...

Re: Slingshot Foot Hook vs NSI Foot Hooker

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:04 pm
by phlow
I've had NSI and Slingshot. Both work well. For me the NSI was a little too tight (close to board) , tight on the top of my foot. My NSI broke after a few months. I've been on SS for 8 or 9 months, it's a little looser and has not broken yet.

I'm using only one front hook , really using it only to help waterstart.