Hi, I'm totally new to the SUP thing so have little idea. I have just bought an Atlantis bambam and have only used it about 4 times.

I noticed today there were little air bubbles coming out from near a plastic bolt thing on the deck. There's actually two plastic hexagonal bolt tops apparent on the deck. I am guessing these are probably drain plugs? and that if air is coming out, that water is going in? Which cannot be good

Are these drain plugs?, do I drain it? Or is this a fault of the board?

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

Warranty return mate - sadly boards from that store are notoriously cheap construction and love taking onboard water. Weigh your board, then hold it under water for a while then weigh it again. Get lots of photos as warranty returns are harder than finding a mint split screen combi. Good luck

Yeh, it doesn't look good, thanks for the reply

But, can anyone tell me if they are actually drain plugs? And can (should) you take them out?

Warranty job sounds painful, not least because shop is 1000s of kilometres away!

I have had similar problems with this company, their boards are what they are cheap and nasty just like the after market help (was like getting blood from a stone )Don't believe people who promote these boards as you will see a trend as they are the same names . Next time just spend the extra grand and get a good quality brand board with a great dealership backing just my opinion cheers K

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brubble said..
Yeh, it doesn't look good, thanks for the reply

But, can anyone tell me if they are actually drain plugs? And can (should) you take them out?

Warranty job sounds painful, not least because shop is 1000s of kilometres away!

They are basically pressure valves , board heats and expands air escapes board cools air intakes stops stress on the board construction with swelling and shrinking which will ultimately damage the board

Thanks krist

So I'm guessing all that happens automatically and I shouldn't be taking them out? Or tightening them up?

Yep probably should have gone for better quality, but didn't really have the extra grand and second handy's seemed non existent or a rip off

Don't touch them - this is normal

These are gore-tex valves: a membrane with hls small enough to let air go through (the bubbles) but not water.

This way, your board pressure is constantly balanced, enhancing durability.

Do not touch them, you could break them or damage the joint.

Do not listen to the bull** spread by accounts such as RiskyBusiness that sound like he is a competitor trying to spread rumors. Pretending to be an "expert" (able to claim that some brands are crap) but not knowing what is a Gore-Tex vent is in 2016 is deeply suspect.

Disclaimer: I never saw the Atlantis boards. But I owned great boards of another brand made in the same factories.

PS: sorry for the somewhat agressive tone. But I cannot stand spreading lies with confidence. Yes, I don't like a lot of politicians :-)

That's what the valves are supposed to do, this is how the board breathes with equalisation of pressure. The only thing I have had to do with a board valve that seemed to 'leak' was to undo the nut and clean the valve hole of the leftover bits that were inside and then tighten up carefully and have had no issues since - this was on an SIC V2 which isn't a cheap board.

Brubble, as colas said, don't touch them. As the board heats up the air expands and they release the pressure through the vents. Otherwise they will delaminate where the glass lets go off the foam and that's a big problem.

I realise that everyone has their own opinion and some have had bad experiences as you can't keep everyone happy, but I'm on my 6th sup (3 are still in my shed now) from the surfboard warehouse and extremely happy. I had one issue with one board and after 1 email and I was called back that same day, dropped it off to be inspected 2 days later and replaced under warranty no questions asked.
Plenty of people are happy to beat them down but I've had great boards (my mates too) at a great price. I simply can't afford a couple of grand for a board! And NO, I don't work for them in anyway, just a happy repeat customer.

Waiting for the earbashing.... again!

Cheers Geoff

Fair enough Geoff , I suppose I am still bitter about my experience and should have pushed a bit harder . I am done with the negatives enjoy your stoke K

Hi all, thanks for the replys, good information

After reading a bit, I thought that's what they are, but I'm still a bit concerned because the bubbles seem to come out where the screw would meet the plastic, maybe normal or just an illusion. Any thoughts?

As a few people have already mentioned, the goretex valve is suppose to release air. When the EPS foam inside your board heats up it gases, without a valve of some sort (some use a stainless one that you have tighten & release yourself, other use a goretex valve that self breathes) If you are in the water and it is bubbling it means it is working.

If you think it is coming from the screw thread, maybe take a short video & either post on here or contact the store.

If you are still concerned, you can remove the valve using a suitable sized thin walled socket and check the O-ring is still ok. If the O-ring is damaged then you are not getting a water tight seal, you can simply get a new valve sent out or buy one yourself.

Hope this helps

Could not agree more!!!
I have many big brand expensive carbon boards and I have purchased many boards from the Surf Warehouse for me and my mates. I have never had a problem and service has been great. They have even called me to see if I have been happy with my purchase. Big brand boards also have their occasional issues.

Have had one warranty experience and no it was a piece of cake. From my experience the people who complain about warranty issues are those that have ruined the board themselves "usually".... also own half of a split screen Kombi too

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RiskyBusiness said...
Warranty return mate - sadly boards from that store are notoriously cheap construction and love taking onboard water. Weigh your board, then hold it under water for a while then weigh it again. Get lots of photos as warranty returns are harder than finding a mint split screen combi. Good luck

Out of interest What did the surfboard warehouse say when you rang them?

This is a video all about vent plugs:

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SP said...
Out of interest What did the surfboard warehouse say when you rang them?

When I rang them - about a surfboard - the inspected it and swapped it over. I bought it with a shop ding that I hadn't seen (yes I was in a rush), saw it as I waxed, taped it, surfed, rang them. Easy and no problems even with the cheeky surf. Board went well too. I have since bought a SUP from the other side of the country and had no issues. Plan on buying another surfboard when I am in Queensland. I've found Jarrad really friendly and helpful both with the warranty and the Net purchase.