Hey,

I recently noticed a small crack around the handle of my Kazuma Fugu (epoxy) SUP. I realised it had been letting water in over time as on a warm day water was fizzing out through this crack. The board also felt heavier at the tail.
I repaired the crack and left the vent plug out to try to drain as much water as possible. There doesn't seem to be much but it is still dripping several days later.
Are there any tricks for drying it out short of cutting the whole board open?
Also is it possible for a vent plug to fail over time? I blew into mine to see if it was still venting but there was no air was escaping (maybe I wasn't able to create high enough PSI with lung power alone!).

Thanks

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Cp500n said..
Are there any tricks for drying it out short of cutting the whole board open?

Alas, you must not expect good news. The more the water has had time to settle in the blank, the harder it will be to get it out. It has filled the spaces between the foam beads, and is stuck there by capillarity and surface tension. Prepare for weeks of drying.

The definitive guide to water in boards has been written by "The board lady" boardlady.com/water.htm

My advice:
- get a vacuum pump that can run for a long time without overheating (i.e. not a vacuum cleaner). Often cheap aerograph engines have a vacuum function, or things like www.amazon.com/ZENY-Single-Stage-Economy-Conditioner-Refrigerant/dp/B012CFTYX4/
- be careful not to apply too much negative pressure, as the board will collapse.
- do not hesitate to drill 5mm holes in your board to create an air flow in as much part of the blank as possible. E.g. have the pump at one hole near the crack, and input one(s) at the tail.
- making the board "breath" helps: heat and cool it: alternate sun & shade. Or douse with hot tap water. But do not get it over 50C.
- Try to have the board at 40C (water molecules have more mobility), but be careful not to go over 50C, as the board may get damaged

Or:
- dry it as much as you can the simple way: open the cracks, make the board breath, use paper fans till they come out dry. (about a week)
- sell it cheap, warning the buyers of the weight. You will lose money, but maybe less than trying to get water out of it.

Thanks for the detailed reply Colas. Looks like it's beyond my very basic DIY skills. The board is my favourite so I've taken it to my local shaper to see what he thinks and see if it can be salvaged.