I have had my Surftech Balboa 11'6" for a few years now and have been very happy with it as a general purpose board. Living 400 metres from the bay it gets regular use, mostly flat water with a bit of surf. It has not had overly major dings but one, the result of a ladder falling on it, cracked the gel coat and was repaired with UV set epoxy with fibres.It gets racked in a purpose built rack outside but under cover and in a relatively shady location.

It has developed hair line cracks in one rail the full length of the deck pad. This is the rail that is uppermost when the board is racked. The other rail is free of such cracks.

The board does get regularly strapped to a trolley and to ladder racks but I don't think that compression is a factor as it has never been stressed along the rail in question.

Are these cracks a cause for concern?
What is causing them?
What remedial action should be taken?The Surftec guys I got it from (PSUP) have moved overseas and the team that took over the business switched to Jacks Boards and I have no relationship with them otherwise I would approach them for comment.www.the-house.com/portal/2013-surftech-balboa-sup-review/

These do not look like grooves made by sand, nor osmosis bubbles. It looks like the rail flexed under pressure and either just the paint layer or the glassing itself broke.

It could be that something on your trolley is compressing the rail on road bumps? maybe not a direct pressure but some lever action on some rotation?

Anyways, to check for damage, just create a little basin on the rail by shaping edges with tape (like on the left side below), fill with soapy water and let the board in the sun 2-3 minutes. If you see bubbles, it is time for a full repair! (sanding the glass + reglassing)

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colas said..
These do not look like grooves made by sand, nor osmosis bubbles. It looks like the rail flexed under pressure and either just the paint layer or the glassing itself broke.

It could be that something on your trolley is compressing the rail on road bumps? maybe not a direct pressure but some lever action on some rotation?

Anyways, to check for damage, just create a little basin on the rail by shaping edges with tape (like on the left side below), fill with soapy water and let the board in the sun 2-3 minutes. If you see bubbles, it is time for a full repair! (sanding the glass + reglassing)

If it was the trolley me thinks the damage would be on both sides and only close to where the trolley goes but this is not the case. The cracking is on one side and runs the full length of the deck pad.

Definitely will try your bubbles test but suspect I will see no bubbles. The cracks do not look sufficiently deep.

Or, since it is the upper side of the board, some sun-related damage? (overheat).
Black rails on boards can actually become soft in the sun...

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colas said..
Or, since it is the upper side of the board, some sun-related damage? (overheat).
Black rails on boards can actually become soft in the sun...

Rails are red but are exposed to light through the laser light roofing along the side passage where the board is being stored. While this area is protected from most direct sunlight it can get warm, at least as warm as anything else stored outside.