The latest in a Pedants Guide to Spearfishing series!
What is Boat Tailing?
In those cool Spanish spearo magazines I once read that Carbonel always boat tails his spears. I had no idea what that was either, but found out.
You take that big, square back end of the spear, where the line goes through, and narrow it down to a width that the crimped mono may sit in more naturally without binding.
What are the advantages or Boat Tailing?
It has two:
1. When loading the spear the line falls naturally straight to the spear.
2. (most important) when shooting the line falls more naturalr in line with the spear. Straight shots
3. Less line wear at the hoop (OK, so it's three advantages)
Does it work?
Yes, I really think it helps. To such an extent that new Omer spears are being done this way in the factory. See bellow, the "standard" spear that comes with the cayman is like that (the silver stainless one)
How to
Photo Guide:
1. Standard Omer Cayman spear (only one I have ever seen boat tailed from the factory) alongside candidate Rob Alan 6.6mm 130cm spear (note square back end)
2. Same as above, other side
3. Mark out candidate, use dark felt pen and scriber
4. Grind away with angle grinder to correct shape. The Rob Alen spear was the toughest I have ever done. Quench. See result
5. Take drill bit (about 5mm) in slow drill and ream to recover hole chamfer (wow, "ream" and "chamfer" in one sentence!)
(TBC)
What is Boat Tailing?
In those cool Spanish spearo magazines I once read that Carbonel always boat tails his spears. I had no idea what that was either, but found out.
You take that big, square back end of the spear, where the line goes through, and narrow it down to a width that the crimped mono may sit in more naturally without binding.
What are the advantages or Boat Tailing?
It has two:
1. When loading the spear the line falls naturally straight to the spear.
2. (most important) when shooting the line falls more naturalr in line with the spear. Straight shots
3. Less line wear at the hoop (OK, so it's three advantages)
Does it work?
Yes, I really think it helps. To such an extent that new Omer spears are being done this way in the factory. See bellow, the "standard" spear that comes with the cayman is like that (the silver stainless one)
How to
Photo Guide:
1. Standard Omer Cayman spear (only one I have ever seen boat tailed from the factory) alongside candidate Rob Alan 6.6mm 130cm spear (note square back end)
2. Same as above, other side
3. Mark out candidate, use dark felt pen and scriber
4. Grind away with angle grinder to correct shape. The Rob Alen spear was the toughest I have ever done. Quench. See result
5. Take drill bit (about 5mm) in slow drill and ream to recover hole chamfer (wow, "ream" and "chamfer" in one sentence!)
(TBC)
Attachments
Last edited:
