Went out the other night, and a guy was boarding who had been out only a couple of times. He crashed going over the wake, and was leaning way back on his board. He was riding our friend's old Hyperlite Latitude board ('98 or '99 or something like that). It has big wingnut screws on the top of the board to keep the fins on. He was leaning far back, and butt sliding, and we actually thought he might recover. But then he let go of the handle, and it caught on the end of the board on the wingnut. We were pulling him around like a fish on the end of a line! My husband was driving and didn't really see what had happened, so didn't stop right away. He said that most of the time he was on top of the water so it wasn't too bad, but at the end he took a big gulp of air and went under. When we finally did stop, he didn't surface for a few seconds, and all of us were ready to dive into the water. Luckily he surfaced with a smile on his face. <BR> <BR>It was kind of a friek thing that happened, but I sure wouldn't want to ride that old board. Now I know why newer boards have flush mounted screws. <BR>

That would suck! Couldn't he just replace the screws with a flush mount screw that is the same size?

He probably could. It's worth checking into.

LOL I still have that board as a spare. I thought the thumbscrews were lame and put the flush head screw/washers on them and the bindings. I put some adjustable bindings on there with a symmetrical stance and fins so guests have something to ride either regular or goofy. I used to catch the edge of my shirt with those thumbscrews when loading and unloading the board but never thought the rope thing would ever really happen!

I have a Wake Tech Byerly Pro (1997?) - yes with flush mount screws. Think it's time fr a new board? LOL