Brewski

@Texas6 Thanks for your input~! I ran a stiff wire through the top of one a couple of days ago. It added weight to the already heavy MasterLine Drew Ross handle so I took it out. The synthetic is VERY VERY STONG and when pulled tight it is spot on. Keeping the head is priority every thing else I can save with this is an added bonus,

@Hipsup Thanks for you input. They are very useful as is, if you head can not go through the handle they work, point served, life saved~! Very seldom do you see anyone's bungee tied to the center of the handle even if the option is there. Then they are noticeable if your hand touches them. For me, my hands are all over the place on the handle so I would be like the other 95+% that does not use it. I will add an eyelet there and let folks do as they wish. The small, fine zip ties are working excellent and I like the static hook up but if someone wants bungee cord / shock cord it will be here this week and will be an option.

@Waternut hope to get a few going this week when the bungee cord shows up....New thread coming soon....

For now anyone interested can send me an e-mail to bruce@kohensports.com with color, and handle type then I will shoot you pix of colors I have in stock that are similar and you can choose and I will build one to suit.

My ski partner used the green one this morning and said he did not notice it was there at all......

 

I think Brenda will restring anything which might be a good option also.....

@Chef23 Thanks~! They are very very nice.

@Brian M. The red I used is close but I have closer. I can match almost ANY color but I am using what I have in stock for prototypes and initial orders so we can get them out to test. I have a color in stock that is pretty dang close to Masterline red but remember were talking leather vs. poly cord so there will always be a little difference in color. Next week I will have Carbon Fiber Leather in Black and Silver/Black and eventually offer them in thousands of colors.......

@Marco in theory they should outlast your boat. The synthetic I use is the finest in the world. VERY STRONG and water never phases it. I have a pair of custom boots 4 seasons, look like brand new and true feel of leather..If you send me a template I will build one to your specifications..that's what Custom is all about.

 

I will start a new post when I am ready to take some orders. Hopefully early this coming week. These pictures show front and back side.....The green is Meadow Moccasin

I think HO acquired ARS at least they made handles exactly like them and had ARS on them so that is where I would look.....

@DaveD I do not intend on using zip ties for products shipped, just convenient for testing on and off quickly to make adjustments, refinements. Bungee is on the way. I may look for a static attachment also like spectra cord.....

Testing with the Swiss Cheese went GREAT. Holy Jock Savers are the way to go...I did not notice anything on the handle. They are super light, strong, and in any color you want.

Final renditions are complete and template made for Masterline handles. I ordered a US gear so I have one on the way. When it gets here and I get one complete. I will make a template for it also. Once we get the bungee here next week I will affix a price and make them available so start thinking about what colors you might like~!

Bruce Kohen slalom and footin' junkie guru. Owner of Kohen Sports and Barefoot Beach Ski School. Inventor, Design Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Level 2 USA Waterski coach, Coast Guard and Red Cross trained Life Guard, Camp Waterski Director and wearer of many many other hats. Training boats: SN2007 (ski partners boat) and Barefoot Sanger. Ski mostly for fun and heath but have competed in the past (early to late 1980;s)

Just tested "Swiss Cheese" the holes make a great difference. Did not even notice it on the handle this time. We had a decent wind also but did not notice it on the handle but glanced at it from time to time and noticed it flaps a little so I need to bang another set of holes to make it tighter..So far it is really nice~!...Round 3 in the morning.

@ThePantsManCan your 5 yr old has great taste~!

@waternut Yeah it will be priced with shipping included. Since they are "Custom" they will be made to customer specifications color etc. so they have to be fabricated once the order comes in. I go to town once or twice a week so they will ship when I go to town.

@davemac I strung these with zip ties as they did not have the right thickness of bungee cord at Meynards. So far I am not a huge fan of the zip ties even though these are small with no sharp edges so I am going to order some thinner bungee from Granger to string them with. ......

Tested the red handle @2.25" from the handle. I thought it felt a little close for my long fingers but after the the first couple of passes I did not notice it at all. The added weight to the handle was slightly noticeable at first but went away also. As far as drag from acting like a sail that was minimal also and if you were using a Neoprene one such as US Gear this is much lighter and less drag. Now to take things to the next level I "Swiss Cheesed" the center and moved it down to 2.5" and I really like the lighter weight and less drag feel. I will test it again this afternoon.

Restrung the red one. The bigger zip ties protruded too far. Much cleaner feeling.......

@efw Anything to avoid death and dismemberment~!

@Chuck_Dickey already working on that also.....

As of now if I do make them we'll have call it shipping charges as the post office is 30 mile away......

Claret Red Baby Ostrich scrap from Apolo' famous boots........

Attached to the handle it give a 3" gap which is great for my monkey fingers. Next one will be larger now that I know how they fit. Might make an adjustment or two on other things.....

@waternut Thanks for you input, I have matte black in 3 different textures glove (smooth), pigskin (lots of grain), and leather (medium grain) I have used the brass eyelets in my custom ski and skate boots for years and yes they do tarnish but not bad and with zip ties or bungee in there you will never notice them. They therotically should last longer than your handle, or two or three. I am testing this one as is no holes tomorrow we'll see if it catches air. This one is made to the 13" Masterline. I am getting ready to making one for the Masterline 12" also and make it look like Swiss cheese (some design) and test it also.

@Horton Shoot me your preferences on an inbox and I will shoot you one for testing. I got a lot of groovy green to match the Vapor~! Great page by the way~!~! THANKS

@Deanoski let's see how testing goes~!

@chris_logan Yeah I gotta get a cut out design in the middle, Maybe a huge spider web. As far as the eyelets go black anodize turns purple in the sun over time and I am not sure where to even get them. I got thousand of the brass ones so it only makes sense to use what I have. Lets see what I can come up with on these, again I am just starting this project so any and all input is greatly appreciated. THANKS

This is the first prototype. It is synthetic just like waterski gloves and available in 1000's of colors to match your ski, boat, gloves, handle etc. I placed it at 2.25" from the front side of the handle. Is this enough room? I will probably make a design / Logo inside to cut down on weight (not much anyhow) and add some bling. This one is made with Prism Color Change Pearl Synthetic using real Brass eyelets. I will be going to town later to get some fine wire ties and bungee cord to test ways of stringing. I noticed in the other post the sharp edges on the wire ties. I have a Central Office Telecom diagonal cutter that flush cuts them where you get no sharp edges so they will work for me but I am looking for some universal safe method of attachment.. src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5017617/uploads/FileUpload/33/e4437afe02cbc39f8a77eebd3a21d8.jpg" />

Barefoot International Dry suits are no longer available. It is/was an OS suit...

There is Steve Schnitzer in WPB also. Maybe not a favorite to some but he knows his stuff......http://www.schnitzskis.com/

 

 

More here proskicoach.com/pros/steve_schnitzer/ plus there are other coaches on Pro Ski Coach. com

Masterline makes one also.

 

@FrankS NOT MINE: http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&category=Bindings&postid=25407

I know that the World Barefoot Center finally got their big order so he is probably freed up a little. They order 100's of barefoot handles and that is a big task. He needs a partner.....

Thanks @ALPJr