QR, Spreader bar, Sliding hook, Depower set ups for racing>

[SalmonSlayer]

There is quite a bit of discussion about boards and fins but not much about the pros and cons regarding different QRs, sliding hooks, shackles etc... that racers use. I am assuming racers are willing to give up some safety (easy to use off the shelf QRs) for added racing specific functionality. I have see some custom depower set ups but that is about it.

Or are racers using stock harness hooks and QRs?

I have not see many pictures or much discussion on how racers set up below the bar.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for more info?

[ronnie]

It looks very simple in this video. Adam just has a Wichard quick release attached to the normal spreader bar hook. You can maybe see it clearest at the very end of the video. Probably with a small ring on the end of the powerline so the ring will come off the Wichard smoothly and easily.

http://vimeo.com/25127199

[SalmonSlayer]

It looks very simple in this video. Adam just has a Wichard quick release attached to the normal spreader bar hook. You can maybe see it clearest at the very end of the video. Probably with a small ring on the end of the powerline so the ring will come off the Wichard smoothly and easily.

http://vimeo.com/25127199

thanks Ronnie

[gbleck]

I'm rigging up a pari of Clamcleat depower setups right now. Have the Clamcleat vang setups. I'm thinking Ronstan 30 orbit blocks. Don't know if I'm going to rig them 2:1 or 3:1. The nice thing about the 3:1 you can do the section you don't pull on in a leader line. The one thing I can't decide on is 1/4 AmSteel-Blue vs 5/16. For the 3:1 I'm thinking the 1/4 should be plenty thick to grab onto with a knot or two on the tail. Any thoughts on 1/4 amsteel blue?

[Jade]

I use a sliding bar when wave riding, it gives a lovely flow when carving on a wave, and also makes it much more comfortable and efficient to ride toe side in general.

I tried the sliding bar with a race board several times, and personally didnt like it. initially I was thinking it would be a great to be able to load your front foot or back with a simple flick of your hips, but in reality if the hook slid and thus changing your CoE while reaching or going downwind, or setting up for a gybe. It was enough to upset the board / rail balance tipping me off every time. IMO it became another thing to think about and manage in race, while offering minor benefits.

In the end I wnet back to a standard bar for racing, opting for simplicity and ease of use.

I used a witchard way back in the day, when we where still building and learning our safety systems, It works well-ish, for a while back then.. it was the best choice available. But, from certain angles no mater how hard you tug at it it wont release which is always a possibility in a panic, also occasionally it can get wrapped around your spreader hook thus blocking the gate. Its not a perfect set up. I'd never be going back to it.

[ronnie]

It does look like Adam has some kind of mounting for the Wichard that keeps it pointing forward. It does need a tug or push toward its base and that can be difficult to achieve in a small space and doing something like in this picture works but has a risk of accidentally opening it.

Johnny Heineken and Damien Leroy seem to use the stardard Q/R with their kite with a small chickenloop.