I’ve noticed that a lot of retro longboards and single-fins have a hole running through the deck and fin box to attach a leash. I wanted to know how this is done. Is it a special fin box/leash plug? Does it have the same strength as a regular leash cup? Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve noticed that a lot of retro longboards and single-fins have a hole > running through the deck and fin box to attach a leash. I wanted to know > how this is done. Is it a special fin box/leash plug? Does it have the > same strength as a regular leash cup?>>> Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated. I have one on my longboard. It’s actually stronger than the plug because it can’t get ripped out unless the force is great enough to rip the entire box out through the deck–through foam and glass, whereas the plug is just held in by resin, and the leash rope is just held to that by a thin bar. Either way, however, the leash rope will probably break before it’s attachment device breaks (plug or box). To my knowledge, it’s simply a hole drilled through the deck (and it’s later sealed, of course) all the way through the box (it’s a regular box), and you thread your leash rope through the hole and tie a knot in it. The only disadvantage I’ve noticed with my thru-box hole is, since the leash is basically held in by a knot in the rope, if it’s not tied in the right place, this knot can take up about a 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch of space in the very tail-end of the box, so you can’t move your fin all the way to the very back sometimes. Otherwise, I really like it. Hope this helps…deeb…
I’ve heard from glassers that the old fashioned leash plug is better. It’s the same when it comes to strength, but will not have as many leak problems as a drill thru. Also, no finbox knot to worry about taking up space.>>> I’ve noticed that a lot of retro longboards and single-fins have a hole > running through the deck and fin box to attach a leash. I wanted to know > how this is done. Is it a special fin box/leash plug? Does it have the > same strength as a regular leash cup?>>> Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve installed four thru-the-deck leash plugs. I installed them before glassing, after shaping, thinking they would hold better that way. They’re working great! I don’t know the brand name of my supplier’s plugs, but they sound different from the ones above. They are a .5" diam. x 2" cylinder, flanged on one end. Both ends are closed until sanding. You install the plug through the blank, with the flanged on the board’s bottom. After glassing and sanding the pluig ends off, you find that the inside of the cylinder is lipped. The bottom .25" has a slightly larger diameter than the remaining upper tube length. The plug comes with a “button”, with two holes in it, and a slot between the holes. You thread a 12" cord through the button holes, and tie it into a loop. Then pull the loop through the plug. The button seats flush with the board’s bottom surface, sometimes after some button or lip adjustment. The cord loop pulls tight into the button’s groove, and also flush with the board’s bottom surface. The system is really strong has no apparent drawbacks. -Noodle>>> I’ve noticed that a lot of retro longboards and single-fins have a hole > running through the deck and fin box to attach a leash. I wanted to know > how this is done. Is it a special fin box/leash plug? Does it have the > same strength as a regular leash cup?>>> Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Leash plugs have always bothered me too. I really hate to use them on my own boards. It seems like a just another hole into the foam and/or stringer to weaken and eventually leak. I’ve used a lot of different means of attaching a leash both as a retrofit and on boards I’ve built. Here’s what I’ve found, not necessarily in order of preference. 1.Hole through fin box/deck- drill 5/16+ hole(drill a hole as large as you can get through the inside demension of fin box you are using)carefully centered through stringer/fin box. Fill with pigmented, chopped cloth resin mix. Drill out large enough to take a loop of nylon string knotted from bottom. Careful not to drill out the hole too much, resin will crack and leak if too thin around inside of hole. Looks clean and strong. 2.Leash Plug- best I’ve used is O’fishl. Goes in under glass and offers least likely to leak or crack design. Worst ones have plastic cross bar and once they break or crack you’ve got a mess on your hands to fix. 3. My favorite- glass rope loop, saturate fin rope, lay over small dowel or pencil and love on it 'til it lays neat with broad spread on ends and pinched in the middle. REAL strong, no break in your stringer and won’t rip a hole in your board. I put these on all my own boards.>>> I’ve noticed that a lot of retro longboards and single-fins have a hole > running through the deck and fin box to attach a leash. I wanted to know > how this is done. Is it a special fin box/leash plug? Does it have the > same strength as a regular leash cup?>>> Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Two surface mounted loops are probably worth mentioning. O’fish’l makes one that attaches with epoxy. I’ve used them on two boards with no problems. Surfco Hawaii makes one that uses a high bond 3M peel and stick adhesive. I know 2-way tape sounds dubious but according to 3M its intended use is for permanent, marine environment bonds. For $4.95 it’s probably worth an experiment. In any case, they’re probably a good option for dealing with a broken plug like Tom mentioned.
The link below will take you to the stick-on leash plug.>>> http://www.surfcohawaii.com/access.htm I second that. I used the same stick-on loop and it’s worked well. It comes in clear plastic which doesn’t look bad. Also, I used fiberglass rope to reinforce and blend the base of the stick-on so it’s flush with the glass.
Tom,
Do you have any photos of the glass rope loop you mention above? I really like the concept and think it makes the board look really clean. I’m almost at the glassing stage of my 9’5" and would like to use this method for my leash. Thanks in advance,
John