It does a bit, but I don't find it obtrusive, more on the contrary: its smooth shape prevents me to stub my toes on the mast foot.
It has another feature, though: rapid mast track removal if done correctly 
The damage to the mast track was caused by Surfbent applying extra leverage and it ripped out the mast bast completely (both sides of the mast track snapped).
Heavy duty two layer nose protector is better IMO, I have pictures and design in another post.
I also gave up surfbent. I use two protections of sails sewn at the ends. There were already a few catapults that worked well
Using the SurfBent only on the foil board. Relatively high volume (110L) and wide (77cm). No issue with interfering with tacking on the foil board. Just needed to adjust front foot placement. Initially it felt a bit weird. It's a bit ugly and when first using it occasionally interfered with rotating the mast around the board while in the water after crashing. Just needed to adapt. Find the most the nose protectors even more ugly. Would use one or other. Minimize or prevent damage is more important than looks.
Not sure if true. Heard that using the SBent with a Euro base can be an issue. SurfBent hitting the release button.
If you are using one check your tendon regularly.....I broke 2 in less than 12 months and have now ditched the surfbent.
I've been told that the nose protector can cause you to rip the mast track out of your board?
Select to expand quoteFormuIa said..
It does a bit, but I don't find it obtrusive, more on the contrary: its smooth shape prevents me to stub my toes on the mast foot.
It has another feature, though: rapid mast track removal if done correctly The damage to the mast track was caused by Surfbent applying extra leverage and it ripped out the mast bast completely (both sides of the mast track snapped).
Ah ok, thanks.
Basic physics of levers. A Surfbent multiplies a 460 cm lever into 10 cm. That is a 46x multiplication of forces onto the mast track. Sail going down, mast track going up. No thanks.
A better solution is padding on top of the nose of the board like has been described here in these fora numerous times.
Select to expand quotesegler said..
Basic physics of levers. A Surfbent multiplies a 460 cm lever into 10 cm. That is a 46x multiplication of forces onto the mast track. Sail going down, mast track going up. No thanks.
A better solution is padding on top of the nose of the board like has been described here in these fora numerous times.
That was very informative, thanks Segler.
Select to expand quotesegler said..
Basic physics of levers. A Surfbent multiplies a 460 cm lever into 10 cm. That is a 46x multiplication of forces onto the mast track. Sail going down, mast track going up. No thanks.
A better solution is padding on top of the nose of the board like has been described here in these fora numerous times.
thanks
Select to expand quotesegler said..
Basic physics of levers. A Surfbent multiplies a 460 cm lever into 10 cm. That is a 46x multiplication of forces onto the mast track. Sail going down, mast track going up. No thanks.
A better solution is padding on top of the nose of the board like has been described here in these fora numerous times.
dumb question, surely it would depend how tall you are, as your not pulling on the tip of the mast rather the middle?
It's when the sail goes down. A lever with the surfbent being the fulcrum. 20 lb of downforce gets multiplied into 920 lb of upforce on the mast track. I think that will pull the mast track out of the board. Or at least break the tendon or hourglass bogey.
Select to expand quotesegler said..
It's when the sail goes down. A lever with the surfbent being the fulcrum. 20 lb of downforce gets multiplied into 920 lb of upforce on the mast track. I think that will pull the mast track out of the board. Or at least break the tendon or hourglass bogey.
Not a directly vertical upward force. Would not the base plate reduce the leverage by spreading the load vs. one single point load? Still a huge load. Not sure if it is the base and uni used that might reduce the force. 2-bolt chinook base with the chinook proflex uni. Purchased the uni for easier connecting the rig to the board. Maybe it has saved the mast track? So far, no issues on the foil board mast track.
Lost count on day 1 of learning to foil of the number of breaching catapults. Today, rare. But I'm keeping the Surfbent mounted. It only takes one bad impact.
Select to expand quotesegler said..
Basic physics of levers. A Surfbent multiplies a 460 cm lever into 10 cm. That is a 46x multiplication of forces onto the mast track. Sail going down, mast track going up. No thanks.
A better solution is padding on top of the nose of the board like has been described here in these fora numerous times.
Yes there is amplification but not sure if you can 46x it based on this.
Have to scratch the back of my head to remember physic classes but I think you should use the center of mass to calculate this.
Should be around the boom (more or less) so lets call it 1,70m. The surfbent deforms under pressure so that reduces the force, like a crumble zone in your car. Still a lot of force!That said I am a happy user for 3 years (for foiling), it has protected my boards which have zero damage on the nose.
The first board I used for a couple of months without protection was a mess.
It does not work with Duotone extensions with the lever.
Not with others with release button on the wrong place.
It does not work with cardan bases, also not with bases with a tendon.
A basic standard diablo works very well.
For beginners learning to surf (or kids) it can be very nice because you cannot get your feet/toes smashed between deck and mast.
I use it to learn wave surfing to on a sup / big fsw and already saved my toes a couple of times when I got smashed in the waves.
I guess it all depends on the construction of the board. It will work fine with 99% of the boards.
Select to expand quoteRobertos said..segler said..
Basic physics of levers. A Surfbent multiplies a 460 cm lever into 10 cm. That is a 46x multiplication of forces onto the mast track. Sail going down, mast track going up. No thanks.
A better solution is padding on top of the nose of the board like has been described here in these fora numerous times.
Yes there is amplification but not sure if you can 46x it based on this.
Have to scratch the back of my head to remember physic classes but I think you should use the center of mass to calculate this.
Should be around the boom (more or less) so lets call it 1,70m. The surfbent deforms under pressure so that reduces the force, like a crumble zone in your car. Still a lot of force!That said I am a happy user for 3 years (for foiling), it has protected my boards which have zero damage on the nose.
The first board I used for a couple of months without protection was a mess.
It does not work with Duotone extensions with the lever.
Not with others with release button on the wrong place.
It does not work with cardan bases, also not with bases with a tendon.
A basic standard diablo works very well.
For beginners learning to surf (or kids) it can be very nice because you cannot get your feet/toes smashed between deck and mast.
I use it to learn wave surfing to on a sup / big fsw and already saved my toes a couple of times when I got smashed in the waves.
I guess it all depends on the construction of the board. It will work fine with 99% of the boards.
what type of board do you have?
it could be a much more heavy duty track?
I used it on Exocet RF 81 ast and Exocet Freefoil 132 AST, Fanatic Falcon Foil 2019
I am using the Surfbent for 3years for foiling. The base is a hourglass bogey joint (diabolo), and it works perfect!
hundreds of heavy catapults with the mast going strait for the nose, and never had any damage, not a scratch!
Never had een issue with the masttrack, but i have custom boards, so maybe they are built stronger than the production ones. I am only using wavesails on the foil.
The SurfBent used is mounted on a Horue Tiny. Guessing it might be on the fragile side at a little over 6kg for a 110L board. Friend rides the old SS Dialer. No nose protection. No damage yet. The Dialer weighs a "ton". Guessing SS in the early days of windsurf foiling overbuilt this floating tank. For light high carbon, low glass boards. Some sort of nose protection might be necessary. CF does not have high point load impact strength relative to fiberglass of similar thickness.
