New Product: Rigger Quick Releases

[Scott @ Noble Hardware]

Hi everyone,

I've given a few sneak peaks, and some of you have seen these in Boston. Here's some more pictures of my newest product: Quick Release fittings for riggers.

QR 1 sm.JPG (116.6 KiB) Viewed 3894 times

This set is mounted on my friend's Hudson single. She tested them all last year and had no issues.

This version isn't quite the production model - I'll put together some photos of those in the next couple days. I've added several features that make them easier to install, easier to use, and more robust. I'm pretty pleased with the end result.

QR 2 sm.JPG (151 KiB) Viewed 3891 times

These will work with side mount or wing riggers, though you do have to make a 3/4" adjustment to the rigging. A downward shift for a wing, or an inboard shift for a side-mount is required. My targeted cost is $10 per bolt point - so a wing rigger would be $40. Should be added to the website and ready to go within the next couple weeks.

Thanks for looking!

[celluloid heroes]

Nice job those look much, much better than anything vespoli, sykes or wintec, another high quality product.

[lt.wolf]

Nice work , we need to chat

[Scott @ Noble Hardware]

Thanks very much, everyone. This one has been a long time in the making.

I'll post some "workshop" photos of the production version this weekend.

At Rocky Mountain RC, we're planning to add a lot of these to our quad/fours so that we'll be able to quickly switch for quad config to straight-four config. Should be a great way to extend the fleet capability.

I've also had several discussions with Cambridge BC - they want to be able to remove riggers and increase storage space. Also a benefit.

[caustic]

I'm a huge fan of anything quick release, because it means less digging around through grass to find dropped bolts.

[JD]

I'm a huge fan of anything quick release, because it means less digging around through grass to find dropped bolts.

GDoyle? We can't hold our breath for ever...

[bendtheoar]

I'm a huge fan of anything quick release, because it means less digging around through grass to find dropped bolts.

GDoyle? We can't hold our breath for ever...

Be patient, sometimes it's all in the timing...........

[Scott @ Noble Hardware]

Moving right along...

Here's some detail pictures that I took in the workshop last night:

1. This is what the disassembled unit looks like. Imagine my milling vise is the boat, and imagine the corner bracket is the rigger.

Quick Release First Look 005 sm.JPG (76.21 KiB) Viewed 3444 times

You can see there's the round bolt that does the locking, and also a washer next to the rigger. This washer centers on the mounting point, and ensures the correct location of the rigger.

2. First step to installation is to hold the rigger in-place. That's where the centering washer is so handy.

Quick Release First Look 008 sm.JPG (55.98 KiB) Viewed 3443 times

3. From here, the backing plate gets slid into the QR mount and fixes the clamping bolt. Note the wire leash keeping the backing plate from disappearing.

Quick Release First Look 010 sm.JPG (56.51 KiB) Viewed 3445 times

[Scott @ Noble Hardware]

4. This next picture shows the Backing Plate fully installed. The plate is stainless steel for strength and long-term durability.

Quick Release First Look 011 sm.JPG (51.64 KiB) Viewed 3437 times

5. From there, the Quick Release is locked down, securing the rigger in place. You have to make an initial tension adjustment, but once set they've proved to hold their clamping force pretty well.

Quick Release First Look 012 sm.JPG (50.64 KiB) Viewed 3437 times

6. Here's a final shot of the installed assembly. As a fun aside, the saddles come in red for port and green for starboard.

Quick Release First Look 013 sm.JPG (44.89 KiB) Viewed 3435 times

Thanks for looking!

[Nosmo]

Looks nice.
Now can you make a quick release that replaces the ones Vespoli uses on the saw tooth foot stretcher channels? Although they are secure and probably last longer then the old channels, they are a real pain to move--much slower then the old design. The release lever is not smooth and doesn't loosen enough--you still have to unscrew it.

[Scott @ Noble Hardware]

That's actually my next task - to try these for foot-stretchers in place of wing-nuts. I'll let you know what I find out!

[Tinpusher]

I don't see these on your website yet. Are they still a work in progress?

[Scott @ Noble Hardware]

Ugh. They're still in process. I've had them on one of our club quads for a couple months, and found a few issues here and there. Nothing earth-shattering - easy fixes. I need to figure out sourcing on one part, and then I should be all set for a general release.

If you're interested in getting some "pre-production" parts, let me know.

[Tinpusher]

I mentioned them to one of the guys at my club as a solution to lengthy rigging and de-rigging times and there was nothing on the website.

If you want them tested further I'll be happy to oblige on my Hudson. Is there any issue with having the space underneath the foot of the rigger and having 4 smaller contact points rather than 2 long contacts?

Still looking at $10-ish each?

[gamestop]

Wintech is offering/using these now too.

I'm not sure how I feel about the coordinated and firm shove you have to give the riggers to set them into their locking position, or at least how I feel about allowing my athletes to firmly shove anything into place.

Overall though great for reducing parts, eliminating the on the water 'my backstay lost a nut' nonsense.