Sport Today

by JW » Sun, 26 Feb 2006 09:04:06

I am thinking about "converting" to Euro-Pin base/extension. I am
tired of this small push pin on Chinook extension.
Which one is better: Fiberspar or Chinook, they both look good (on
paper:)?
Which extension has bigger button.
Any comments, advices greatly appreciated.

by **clydepe..** » Sun, 26 Feb 2006 10:51:53

What are you going to do with the excess downhaul line? Do you normally
stuff it in the mast extension? Euro pin requires the excess downhaul
line be stuffed in the inside pocket at the bottom of the luff(if you
have it) or wrap it around the mast extension. BTW both systems are
sound but both systems have parts that weaken over time and may be a
risk for sail-board seperation IMHO.

by **wsurf** » Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:17:46

Quote:

> I am thinking about "converting" to Euro-Pin base/extension. I am
> tired of this small push pin on Chinook extension.
> Which one is better: Fiberspar or Chinook

The last two times in Hatteras I rented gear, I was given the (North)
europin system. I like it, but I heard rumors of pin failure. When
Chinook introduced their Powerhaul EX system, with the one piece
stainless design (and I saw it in the flesh in Maui), I decided to go
for it. I like it. Customer service with Chinook is A+, so I have no
worries.

I like Streamlined's too. I like the base bottom better than Chinook
(easier to loosen at the end of the session). I tired the new RDM
europin Streamlined extension in Hawaii as well. The release button
sticks out the side. I have always wrapped my excess downhaul around
the base of my extension...not sure why. The button/line just seemed in
the way of each other. Well made like all Streamlined stuff, light too.

As far a Fiberspar...
http://www.calema.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=102

just one opinion...

by **WARDO** » Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:26:02

I have been using the new Chinook Powerhaul EX pin system on my standup
paddleboard/windsurfer hybrid because of the big button...the board has
no footstraps, so this base system makes it easy to disconnect the rig
from the board when coming in through the surf...

http://surfingsports.com/images/chinook_powerhaul_ex.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/images/chinook_powerhaul_ex_rdm1.jpg
http://surfingsports.com/images/chinook_powerhaul_ex_rdm2.jpg

As far as weights...the Chinook stainless foot is 9.2 oz. vs. 8.1 oz.
for the standard...you aren't going to be able to discern 1.1 oz.
differential at the base of your sail...no swing weight...add in the 2
bolt plate at 6.3 oz. and you get 15.5 oz. vs. 14.4 oz. vs 11.6 oz. for
standard single bolt assy.

The standard carbon medium extension is 13.9oz and the pin style carbon
is 1lb. 1oz.

http://www.surfingsports.com/images/carbon_bases.jpg

Chinook 28cm carbon: 14.2 oz.

Hot Rod 30cm carbon: 12.0 oz.

Chinook 38cm carbon: 14.4 oz.

Hot Rod 45cm carbon: 14.9 oz.

Chinook 28cm aluminum: 1lb. 2oz.

This is one piece of milled stainless...it should eliminate the failures
of previous pin systems...

WARDOG
http://surfingsports.com

Quote:

> I am thinking about "converting" to Euro-Pin base/extension. I am
> tired of this small push pin on Chinook extension.
> Which one is better: Fiberspar or Chinook, they both look good (on
> paper:)?
> Which extension has bigger button.
> Any comments, advices greatly appreciated.

by **chris-coggi..** » Sun, 26 Feb 2006 15:58:42

Quote:

> I am thinking about "converting" to Euro-Pin base/extension. I am
> tired of this small push pin on Chinook extension.
> Which one is better: Fiberspar or Chinook, they both look good (on
> paper

Hi i have always used ART base plates,extensions for the same
reason,they have a very large/secure button and last a life time.

by **Glenn Woodel** » Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:18:47

I have been using one of the Chinook RDM systems and ended up ordering
two more for my other rigs because I liked it so much. I hated the
double push pin of the latest Chinook base extensions. The single
botton on this system is much easier to operate, especially with cold
fingers.

As far as weight, I did several blind tests and no one was able to
tell the difference between the new pin uni and the older cup type.
The pin "looks" heavier but in reality it is so close that one cannot
tell the difference.

I'm sold on it.

Glenn

Quote:

>I am thinking about "converting" to Euro-Pin base/extension. I am
>tired of this small push pin on Chinook extension.
>Which one is better: Fiberspar or Chinook, they both look good (on
>paper:)?
>Which extension has bigger button.
>Any comments, advices greatly appreciated.

by **wsurf** » Sun, 26 Feb 2006 23:21:20

Quote:

> As far as weight, I did several blind tests and no one was able to
> tell the difference between the new pin uni and the older cup type.
> The pin "looks" heavier but in reality it is so close that one cannot
> tell the difference.

I agree with you guys, any additional weight is insignifcant,
especially for the piece of mind with it provides being beefy (and
simple).

The button is flush and operates easily.

I like europin for the big formula gear too. I can carrry the sail and
board separately to the shoreline, then snap them together and go...
It's not that big of a deal, just makes it a little easier. I like the
new Chinook Powerhaul EX system for SDM and RDM.

by **Charles L** » Mon, 27 Feb 2006 02:24:59

1 more plug for the Chinook Europin system. To me it does feel a bit
heavier, but it certainly isn't noticeable on the water. Easy to use,
especially for large gear as wsurfn mentions.

by **Richar** » Mon, 27 Feb 2006 04:40:30

I started using the RDM Chinook system last August and agree with everything
wsufn said. A couple of comments on the RDM Streamline extension:
1. the release button is large and protrudes out the side. I found it
conflicts with the Ezzy SE Wave foot strap, such that it can release the
pin.
2. the Streamline was much easier to downhaul than the Chinook.
3. the early Chinook pins had a narrower grove that did not lock into the
Streamline extension, even though you heard a click, and could come loose.
I had one come loose after a fall and it took me 25 minutes to get it back
together again before sailing in. You can check the locking by pulling them
apart with your hands if they are bad. When I took the Streamline extension
and pins into Chinook, they knew of the problem and gave me two replacement
pins with wider groves that cured the problem.

--
Richard
Huntington Beach, CA

Quote:

> > I am thinking about "converting" to Euro-Pin base/extension. I am
> > tired of this small push pin on Chinook extension.
> > Which one is better: Fiberspar or Chinook

> The last two times in Hatteras I rented gear, I was given the (North)
> europin system. I like it, but I heard rumors of pin failure. When
> Chinook introduced their Powerhaul EX system, with the one piece
> stainless design (and I saw it in the flesh in Maui), I decided to go
> for it. I like it. Customer service with Chinook is A+, so I have no
> worries.

> I like Streamlined's too. I like the base bottom better than Chinook
> (easier to loosen at the end of the session). I tired the new RDM
> europin Streamlined extension in Hawaii as well. The release button
> sticks out the side. I have always wrapped my excess downhaul around
> the base of my extension...not sure why. The button/line just seemed in
> the way of each other. Well made like all Streamlined stuff, light too.

> As far a Fiberspar...
> http://www.calema.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=102

> just one opinion...

by **Paul Braunbehren** » Mon, 27 Feb 2006 04:49:01

Anyone got a picture of the extension, and the protruding button?
Wardog? I googled it to no avail.

Quote:

> I started using the RDM Chinook system last August and agree with everything
> wsufn said. A couple of comments on the RDM Streamline extension:
> 1. the release button is large and protrudes out the side. I found it
> conflicts with the Ezzy SE Wave foot strap, such that it can release the
> pin.
> 2. the Streamline was much easier to downhaul than the Chinook.
> 3. the early Chinook pins had a narrower grove that did not lock into the
> Streamline extension, even though you heard a click, and could come loose.
> I had one come loose after a fall and it took me 25 minutes to get it back
> together again before sailing in. You can check the locking by pulling them
> apart with your hands if they are bad. When I took the Streamline extension
> and pins into Chinook, they knew of the problem and gave me two replacement
> pins with wider groves that cured the problem.

by **Juan** » Mon, 27 Feb 2006 04:49:45

Quote:

> sticks out the side. I have always wrapped my excess downhaul around
> the base of my extension...not sure why.

I do it because I can then ease the downhaul in the water if necessary.
Well... also because until recently it never occured to me to put the
line inside the extension. Doesn't that fray the line, BTW?

++*Juan--

by JW » Mon, 27 Feb 2006 09:46:12

Hi all,
Thanks a lot for all the comments. I am sold, and I am getting Chinook
Powerhaul EX Euro Pin. I was leaning towards Friberspar but the
comments on Thino's web changed my mind (thanks Wsurf)
Clydepe... all my sails have pockets so the downhaul line is non issue
for me.
One more question, are those systems compatible meanings if I get
extension from Fiberspar can I put it on Chinook base and vice versa.

I decided to go even father. I want to remove the standard bottom part
(cup) from my carbon extension and install Chinook bottom part with
Euro Pin (Chinook sells it for $46 as after market part) and I want to
order just the pin from the Chinook Powerhaul EX and install it on my
standard base. Anybody tried it already?

by **pacspee** » Mon, 27 Feb 2006 10:19:05

It is a simple conversion, particularly for standard diameter rather
than skinny. You will have to cut a few cm off the tube, contact me at
alex at chinooksailing dot com for a spec sheet.
Our extension will fit Fiberspar's pin, and vice-versa, same as all
other major brands. Fair winds - A

by **Wolfgang Soerge** » Thu, 02 Mar 2006 07:08:03

Quote:

> What are you going to do with the excess downhaul line? Do you normally
> stuff it in the mast extension? Euro pin requires the excess downhaul
> line be stuffed in the inside pocket at the bottom of the luff(if you
> have it) or wrap it around the mast extension. BTW both systems are
> sound but both systems have parts that weaken over time and may be a
> risk for sail-board seperation IMHO.

With the pin systems i had (North i think) you could put the line inside
the mast/extension just like with the Chinook type ones, no real
difference, except that the hole where the line is fed through is
smaller. OK, i had to cut the line once since it tagled inside and i
could not get it loose again but the same also happened once with a
Chinook skinny extension. And i also had both types come loose, the
connection itself never being the reason.

Wolfgang