Why are "ledge" style carry handles not standard on every SUP? Do Naish have a patent or are their other problems with them?
I'm a total SUP newb and an hour into my first demo day I realized it was a no-brainer that this type of handle makes carrying these beasts a huge amount easier. Surely SUPs have been around long enough for expert designers to realize this. I can't see any significant extra cost being involved either.
Maybe SUP designers have SUP slaves to haul their craft to the water's edge? I'm baffled. It must be a patent thing I am guessing, as it's too obvious that they are the way to go. I wonder if Naish could patent such a basic idea though. A bit like patenting the door handle.
On the plus side of all this, my fingers and forearms are now like those of a rock climber from carrying my non-Naish SUPs with my fingertips!
Believe it or not comfy handles are only a new development, showing up on brands over the past year. You'd expect all manufacturers will be on board for next years models.
I guess it depends how far you have to carry it, 100m or so isnt too much of a problem but anymore than that you would appreciate the comfort. Seems like it was not that long ago we were throwing boards on one shoulder as handles were non existant.
They are good.. Naish have them.. JP also have the same handle.. Coreban have one very similar (maybe even better).. and SIC have another beauty.. Possibly the best.
I've heard Fanatic will have one soon... I wonder what Starboard will do and why it's taken them so long? .. also Surftech.. It seems like they are happy with the long center strap.
DJ
The most recently produced Fanatics have them and probably deeper and more comfortable than Naish's.
I think one reason for everyone not jumping on board is that they are actually two pieces put together, therefore it means another seam for something to go wrong and I have seen a couple come apart on both big and small name brands.
I also kept asking myself the same questions about the Naish ledge carrying handle. Last September I was on a surf camp with Robby Naish and asked him if they have patent over the ledge handle and he said "No we have no patent and we are not interested in having one. Besides that the fee for such patent would be too high." He explained that it is more difficult and more expensive to install the ledge handle and this is the only reason why so many other producers are not using it.
Recently I bought a non Naish board and only after a few sessions I totally hated the handle and I asked a friend of mine to replace it with a Naish like handle which he made from fiberglass.
Hi All. This another version of a carry handle. Saw it on their website today after I heard Sunova were now doing SUP's.
Bit different, will it work I wonder.
P.S. DJ, my 4th SUP is a Naish Hokua. Had it been my first sup it may have been my only one, what an all-rounder!
Fanatic do already one have one on their latest produced board. It is very similar to the Coreban handles. As DJ said there are other brand that also have varying handles which also do a great job.
Marcel
They feel soooo gooood on the FANATICS so I can imagine it will be the same for all brands
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said...
... I wonder what Starboard will do and why it's taken them so long? ...
No doubt whatever it is will be a "world first innovation" 
Anyone tried modifying their handle with some kneed-it or similar?
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said...
... I wonder what Starboard will do and why it's taken them so long? .. DJ
Starboard are still trying to figure out how to put one at the balance point.
Select to expand quotesls said..
Hi All. This another version of a carry handle. Saw it on their website today after I heard Sunova were now doing SUP's.
Bit different, will it work I wonder.
supvader installed one of those on a board of his and swears by it. Looks good too.
Select to expand quotesls said..
Bit different, will it work I wonder.
Sunny King and some Surftech boards have those, they're pretty good to use but I wonder about the longevity, especially on heavier boards. IMO the Coreban handle is the best yet, although they can hold a bit of water and it can be a bit disconcerting when you're putting the board on the car and it all sloshes out on you 
.
Do you mean the new fanatics as in the 2013/2014 models that get released later in the year to have the ledge handle?
Kickels... I have an 8'10 being delivered this Friday... and it has a ledge handle. Same Blue Board... but they are coming in now with the updated handle
Some boards in the last Fanatic shipment had the new handles but not all, any new boards that come in from now should all have the new handles. I'm pretty sure the next fanatic boards to arrive will be the 2014 models later this year!!
The SIC handle is worth a mention. Apart from onshore use, it is also very easy to get a full hand grip and whip the board around and remount if you've fallen off in choppy conditions. You can even store a bag of Allens Snakes in it.
Select to expand quotepetedorries said..
They feel soooo gooood on the FANATICS so I can imagine it will be the same for all brands
Looks like I bought my Fanatic SUPs 6 months too early. Doh! Now I have the dud handle to contend with. Oh well, been a great first few months SUPping.
HI all,
i just ordered a few of those liftsup pull out handles, i will post up some pics when they arrive.
I like the look of them.
Got them from: supthinktank.com/liftsup/
They were easy to deal with via email and respond fast to queries
Cheers Chris
Select to expand quoteenuenu said..petedorries said..
They feel soooo gooood on the FANATICS so I can imagine it will be the same for all brands
Looks like I bought my Fanatic SUPs 6 months too early. Doh! Now I have the dud handle to contend with. Oh well, been a great first few months SUPping.
Your not alone. My board has the old handle. I just have been lucky enough to carry a new 14 footer now and again. And the 8 foot board too.
Picked up my 8'10 Allwave this weekend... The handle is soooo much better than any I have seen.
I live in New England = thick winter gloves... every board I have had till now, I had to jam my gloved fingers into a handle and hope my fingers held out till I got to the car.
The new fanatic "Ledge" handle is wide, deep and the finger pockets are big enough to hide things in.
I am really thinking about velcro in the other side of the handle too carry my lip sunscreen in... it's that roomy.
If the new posting setup would allow actually have a "select" button, I would post some close up pics of it... it's simply... the best.
ok... seems like the "select" button is working... so here are the promised shots of the new Allwave "Ledge" handle
I wondered if it would be TOO big when walking around on the board... not an issue... and I have surfed 27 hours on it in good waves.
The new boards from Hobie are now coming through with the ergonomic style of grip too, and also feature a leg rope pin for an alternative leggy attatchment.
Regards,
Greg
