tow line safety release (Comptech and Samson)

[ragboy]

Correct, I you invented, he makes them, that is what I meant, but stated it incorrectly.

"darndest time" didn't refer to me getting one, referred to you being able to provide, and you didn't seem willing or able to do that.

The 600lb/400lb issue, I was simplifying what I understood. That it is possible for a pin to become damaged and not break, and then break later at a lower weight. And so therefore are not set and forget, but need to be inspected.

You did mention that you didn't want to promote for tubing, due to possiblity of pin breaking and sending someone out on a whip, I extended that to be possible for wakeboarders also, especially if a pin had been unsuspectingly damaged. I do not completely recall the issue on tubing vs. wakeboarding. But it seemed you were definitely nervous about people using it outside a certain scope. I will take your word about wakeboarding and wakesurfing, I could have misunderstood you.

There are no hard feelings.

[Carter13]

I bought a bullet from Benton three months ago and am very happy with it.
I am running the silver 600lb pin because I weigh close to 200.

[Duncan]

I ordered two bullet releases (different colors) a few days ago (so I did not have to switch between wake and surf ropes -- thanks Ragboy for tip). Also bought extra light pins and medium pins.

Benton also provided the following handy rules of thumb:
light 200 (pink) = children
medium 450 (orange) = ladies
heavy 600 (silver) = men
Xheavy 800 (black) = big boys

I am looking forward to trying the releases out. I hope to use the light pins for surfing and the medium pins for medium sized wakeboarders. I am ignoring that I will be using a "ladies" pin

[Skidude]

Correct, I you invented, he makes them, that is what I meant, but stated it incorrectly.

"darndest time" didn't refer to me getting one, referred to you being able to provide, and you didn't seem willing or able to do that.

The 600lb/400lb issue, I was simplifying what I understood. That it is possible for a pin to become damaged and not break, and then break later at a lower weight. And so therefore are not set and forget, but need to be inspected.

You did mention that you didn't want to promote for tubing, due to possiblity of pin breaking and sending someone out on a whip, I extended that to be possible for wakeboarders also, especially if a pin had been unsuspectingly damaged. I do not completely recall the issue on tubing vs. wakeboarding. But it seemed you were definitely nervous about people using it outside a certain scope. I will take your word about wakeboarding and wakesurfing, I could have misunderstood you.

There are no hard feelings.

Good deal. I am actually glad to see your post so we could clarify that the Bullet is indeed for wakeboarding and wake surfing too.

I currently have a few pro wakeboarders using the Bullet Release, and they are working with me and a rope manufacturer to do an OEM agreement, so that the ropes would come with a Bullet already on them when purchased.

Hey, any help I can get promoting this device in the wakeboard/surf community is very welcome. Safety is something I believe could be taken more seriously in this arena. I've personally experienced my arm through the rope handle, and I was thankful I had a release to save my butt...or uh...arm.

Cheers

[Duncan]

So, when your arm goes through the handle on a fall, about how much force is required to break the arm?

Similarly, I wonder how much force is required for a rope to sever a finger?

[Skidude]

Good questions. There are too many variables to answer generically. Also, it depends on the angle of stress to the bones/arm. A rope breaks at about 3000lbs, so a heavy pin dramatically reduces the amount of load your arm will receive (roughly 2400lbs). I don't know how to test how much load it takes to break an arm...would it be for a 180lb man, a 150lb teen...etc.?

I do know from experience that I have put my arm through the handle with a Heavy pin and it hurt pretty good, and bruised as well. I was able to keep skiing though...If I had not had the Bullet on the line, I can only speculate how much more damage would have been done.

If anyone knows the answer to the amount of load required to break an arm, pleae share this information with me

[jschnip]

Thought I would toss this in - we use the Cinch Release, which is very simply adjusted and inexpensive. Basically its a long piece of velco, set how aggressive you want the release to be. They will wear out if you get too many "breaks" - but relatively easy solution. I see he is also selling one with a manual release this year.
$75 without manual release, $105 with it (also new is builtin rope stay! nice work Lonnie!)

http://www.cinchmax.com/id2.html
"CINCH Release with Swivel and Rope tie for Tower"
Picture on their picture page
http://www.cinchmax.com/sitebuilderc...ReleaseNew.jpg

[Duncan]

So I ordered two Samson releases.

Using the 400 lb pin on our wakeboard line, strung in between the first extension piece.

Also bought a new wakesurf rope (http://www.evo.com/wakeboard-handles...ombo-2010.aspx ) that also has three or four extension sections. The Samson release fits the Evo inline between extension sections without having to use a smaller rope.

Running the 200 lb pin on the surf rope.

Very happy with products. I am still paranoid about the rope but this instills a bit more comfort.