Modifing / stretching flight clips?

[Shooter]

I would like to carry a wake surf board, but really don’t want to buy or mount surf racks. I don’t surf that often, the surf racks are not cheap and I like the clean stock look of the Flight Clips

I was thinking about stretching one of my clips with a car jack. The clip measure 1.5 width and I think I need about 1.75 for something like an Inland Surfer (it doesn’t sound like much). Has anyone stretched their clips to allow for a thicker board? I love my flight clips and don’t want to screw them up.

[Boardboy]

RE: Modifing / stretching flight clips?

Not an expert but heating the bend with a torch first before bending comes to mind. An aluminum welder can always fix any serious problems if you make a mistake.

[Miljack]

RE: Modifing / stretching flight clips?

I've had to re-bend one back, and it's not that easy, but your idea of a jack or press would work. The flight clips are actually stainless (I think, they are NOT aluminum!). I think your trick is going to be setting up the clips so you stretch only one part, if it were me, I would go for the "inside" arm, that way you won't stretch the outer "node."

I have an IS Red Tide, and it fits in the inside clip, but I removed the non-skid on the inner most part of the clip, and I put the board so the traction pad of the board rests against the part of the clip where I removed the non-skid. It's tight, but it actually fits better down in the bottom where the clips are welded together.

[MikeC]

RE: Modifing / stretching flight clips?

We have a Ronix Koal - about 2" thick, and when we absoultely have to put it in the flight clips, it fits just fine. We usually keep it under the seat but when we need the extra storage room it rides fine in the flight clip.

[HS]

RE: Modifing / stretching flight clips?

Shooter: A crude but inexpensive solution that I am using is bungee cord. I use 2 four foot cords to strap a Blue lake and a knee board to the top of the tower. (Thanks to Mikeski for the idea.)
http://www.planetnautique.com/index....light=vacation

[01bigair]

Here is how I store my kneeboard, I just unhook the strap and strap it to the tower, doesn't rattle and is out of the way. I would look into the bungee idea or some kind of strap and hook it to the top of the tower since you dont surf much.

[01bigair]

Sorry the pic didnt make it on here.....frustrating, I hit add attachment and choose pic and poof no pic

[01bigair]

one more try

[Flipside]

I use 2 adjustable bungy cords and strap my surf board to the top of the tower. It's tight and does not rattle or lift when going fast. The only problem is if someone wants to wakeboard, and you have the surf board on top of the tower, then it may interfere with the rope. You can minimize this by pushing the board forward more so the tail of the surf board won't catch the rope.

A cheap fix that won't comprimise bending your Flight Clips, and it is a great bimini!

[Mikeski]

I have been carrying my wakesurf boards on top of the rack for 3 summers. The FCT is the strongest surfrack you will ever see. Simple hardware store bungees in a figure 8 holds them great even at 42MPH. Note mine angle down toward the front due to them sitting on my Wetsounds speaker clamps. You could easily add a pad to the rear bar if you want to angle them down. I typically run with 2 boards up top but I have stacked 2 on 2 for a total of 4 up top with no trouble. Pictures are on my other computer.