just looking for some input on a strop setup

There's a guy on my beach who does that, works ok but his range of motion is limited from what I can tell.

I've got a similar setup; it work ok but it's not my favorite. If I'm not hooked in it's hard to sometimes hard to dig the block out of my crotch and hook in which means you pretty much need to hook in before you sit down and stay hooked. Once you unhook you pretty much need to stop and reset. I've also noticed that if I use the qr to unhook then I've got a block flapping in my face; only been hit once Also one thing to be aware of is that the block and connector add length between your harness and where the lines attach. doesn't seem like a big deal but the more length from you and the harness to the strop attachment, then shorter the stop need to be; which just means a limited range of motion. So the shorter you can make the attachment point to the stop the better.

I've seen some spreader bars with a curved piece of plastic, but I've seen that it just frays the strop like crazy and they don't close the line in, it's just line pressure. For some reason I haven't seen a spreader with a real pulley. I think overall I'd prefer a spreader with a built in horizontal winchard-style pulley + qr. ?

I've seen something like what you are talking about, arkay. I think it was a Dutch site with spottty English translation and the prices for the good stuff was like $300 and up. I think I'd rather spend the cash on more Kites

Quote:

Originally posted by Scudley That shackle is quick release. This does not mean that it will release under load. It was designed to be faster to move than a screw shackle, not to be an emergency release. Wichard does make a shackle which is designed to release unload; this is not it. S

Here is the Wichard 2673 Quick release that will release under load. the release trigger cord is tied to bight colored bandana that can be easily grabbed blind.
It is coupled with a Holt Allen Block (West Marine part # HA4475/1, shown with the cheek in the open postion to receive the strop (then snap shut). The block had a hinge pin riveted permanently in place, but it was easy to drill off the rivet head and remove the pin. Then put the quick-pin of the same diamer (also West Marine) back into the block, engaging the sqivel eye of the Wichard QR.

This puts the strop only 3" or less from my harness hook.

This was inspired by a post by Brad Rex with a similar rig.

Another view connected to spreader bar and with strop in and block cheek closed.
The way the trigger line is oriented, the safety has to be pulled from the side or outward, not toward you. This turns out OK because the rig is so close to the body it iseasier to pull to the side or away than it is to pull in.

Yanky the Hanky and no more Cranky

Here is what i am going to try. Overall length is 24" ... minus 4 " for the QR ... so 20" of usable length. You can see in one of the pics. the QR is shorter than the standard strope bridle on the handles. The length seems just right for me, but I won't know for sure till I give it a true test. This is not to take away from bbrex or acampbell's setup as their setup is the best IMHO. This is just something I want to try.

But let us all remember that Q.R.s are no substitute for common sense. It has been my experience , that when the S.H.T.F., it happens like lightning, out of nowhere and so fast that it is humanly impossible to take measures. Don't get me wrong, I got a harness and the best Q.R. that money can build. But it all comes down to reflexes and mother natures chaotic ways. I have been gusted so hard that it ripped me outta the buggy superman style so hard that it cartwheeled the buggy on top of me when I cratered the beach. ( some Wyl E Coyote crap there) I was doin around 35-40 mph, gigglin' like a school girl. And WHAM!!! I was on the beach w/ a buggy beatin the hell outta me. Ripped the handles out of my grip so hard ,my fingertips were throbbing. No way anyone could have been ready for that. Or been strong enough for that. If I would have been harnessed, it would have been ugly. As it was , I jumped up and signaled the wifey that i was ok. But I felt like my guts were gonna fall outta my azz. The wife dropped the video cam, but I got like 4-5 frames out of it. I dont know how ya add more than one pic so I will post all in a row? (sorry)

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that's a lot of buggy to wear on your back while doing a faceplant:o

glad to hear you were alright