Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

The silver tape is a crack that opened up and I was off windsurfing. So I used some quick setting epoxy to fill the crack, waited a little while and then put some aluminium foil tape over the top, just in case.
Both boards are now retired.

Select to expand quote

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Select to expand quote

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Maybe but I have never up hauled the red board (can't it just sinks under me). The board is transported in the car hanging from some webbing. I do think that when I come out of my jibe that I am a little bit heavy on the foot change though. It is just really odd that it has happened to two boards and the first board was always stored in a thick starboard travel bag. I will think about it some more and see if there is any other time that I put stress on the outside of the board. Thanks Gorgesailer (are you from Portland ?)

I have a Goya Bolt with a concave deck, the mast was hitting the board in the same area as on your older board, and I know when foiling and coming off the foil in 18-22 knots with 2-3 foot waves I will place my front foot in the same place, in front of the foot strap, when the board comes down and hits a wave top. My solution, before I got any cracks (just flexible spots, using firm finger pressure) was to add a 3/4" shim to the mast base (so the mast hit the side slope of the board and not the ridge of the concave deck). Then I covered the area with dual density deck padding from North Shore Inc. Been that way for at least a year with no problems, the padding adds strength and protection to the deck.

Red board looks like scratches causing the degraded non slip to fall off. Is it soft there? If so:
Everything delaminates somewhere sometime so maybe you need to check out the old board much more carefully before buying? U need to push everywhere.

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said..
Red board looks like scratches causing the degraded non slip to fall off. Is it soft there? If so:
Everything delaminates somewhere sometime so maybe you need to check out the old board much more carefully before buying? U need to push everywhere.

Hey Mark, yes it's soft there. So at the start of the season, the lines started to develop and whilst I was doing a quick check over the board , before heading to the beach, one of the lines looked a little deep. Gave it a little suck face and I could taste the inside of the board. The crack was through the non-slip layer and into the board. The other board started cracking and then I noticed it was soft. I think the lines are an indication that I am cracking the fiberglass. Does that sound correct to you? Is it possible that I step too hard and I start to crack the fiberglass?

Select to expand quote

Sandman1221 said..
I have a Goya Bolt with a concave deck, the mast was hitting the board in the same area as on your older board, and I know when foiling and coming off the foil in 18-22 knots with 2-3 foot waves I will place my front foot in the same place, in front of the foot strap, when the board comes down and hits a wave top. My solution, before I got any cracks (just flexible spots, using firm finger pressure) was to add a 3/4" shim to the mast base (so the mast hit the side slope of the board and not the ridge of the concave deck). Then I covered the area with dual density deck padding from North Shore Inc. Been that way for at least a year with no problems, the padding adds strength and protection to the deck.

Hi Sandman,
Nice to hear from you. That's a good looking setup. I have something similar on my foil. My deck is not sunken but when I'm dragging the gear out to deeper water the mast rubs on the deck. I will keep it in mind as it might be a good idea to take some of the force out of my stepping. (I was repairing the board -- that's why it's upside down and yes I took over the kids playroom cause grown up's can have toys as well.)

Select to expand quote

Henners said..

Mark _australia said..
Red board looks like scratches causing the degraded non slip to fall off. Is it soft there? If so:
Everything delaminates somewhere sometime so maybe you need to check out the old board much more carefully before buying? U need to push everywhere.

Hey Mark, yes it's soft there. So at the start of the season, the lines started to develop and whilst I was doing a quick check over the board , before heading to the beach, one of the lines looked a little deep. Gave it a little suck face and I could taste the inside of the board. The crack was through the non-slip layer and into the board. The other board started cracking and then I noticed it was soft. I think the lines are an indication that I am cracking the fiberglass. Does that sound correct to you? Is it possible that I step too hard and I start to crack the fiberglass?

I think it was delaminating when you got it, and normal use is making it get worse.

Select to expand quote

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Maybe but I have never up hauled the red board (can't it just sinks under me). The board is transported in the car hanging from some webbing. I do think that when I come out of my jibe that I am a little bit heavy on the foot change though. It is just really odd that it has happened to two boards and the first board was always stored in a thick starboard travel bag. I will think about it some more and see if there is any other time that I put stress on the outside of the board. Thanks Gorgesailer (are you from Portland ?)

I've had 2 boards go soft on the deck, I suspect from gybing in chop with the new front foot landing, and it wasnt near the rails it happened.
Neither board cracked though. 1 was new and never strapped to a roofrack, the other was ex-demo so I dont know its history. Thats an issue buying secondhand.

Select to expand quote

Mark _australia said..

Henners said..

Mark _australia said..
Red board looks like scratches causing the degraded non slip to fall off. Is it soft there? If so:
Everything delaminates somewhere sometime so maybe you need to check out the old board much more carefully before buying? U need to push everywhere.

Hey Mark, yes it's soft there. So at the start of the season, the lines started to develop and whilst I was doing a quick check over the board , before heading to the beach, one of the lines looked a little deep. Gave it a little suck face and I could taste the inside of the board. The crack was through the non-slip layer and into the board. The other board started cracking and then I noticed it was soft. I think the lines are an indication that I am cracking the fiberglass. Does that sound correct to you? Is it possible that I step too hard and I start to crack the fiberglass?

I think it was delaminating when you got it, and normal use is making it get worse.

Thank you. I did not check it over much when I got it. It was about 30 bucks and I was only expecting that it was water tight, a working fin, and some straps. I think I got my money's worth out of it and now I have something a little bit more modern. But even that is a little bit on the crap side. The red board is going to become a part of a simulator so I can try to get the most out of my windsurfing sessions. Much appreciated, I also saw Paul's video on Coronation Beach, paradise mate.

Select to expand quote

PhilUK said..

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Maybe but I have never up hauled the red board (can't it just sinks under me). The board is transported in the car hanging from some webbing. I do think that when I come out of my jibe that I am a little bit heavy on the foot change though. It is just really odd that it has happened to two boards and the first board was always stored in a thick starboard travel bag. I will think about it some more and see if there is any other time that I put stress on the outside of the board. Thanks Gorgesailer (are you from Portland ?)

I've had 2 boards go soft on the deck, I suspect from gybing in chop with the new front foot landing, and it wasnt near the rails it happened.
Neither board cracked though. 1 was new and never strapped to a roofrack, the other was ex-demo so I dont know its history. Thats an issue buying secondhand.

Hi Phil,
I suppose there is a reason why they are selling it. I did think that maybe it was caused by going over waves out of the footstraps. Some of these have big troughs behind them and I felt a bit of pity for the board on a few occasions as I went down the other side of the wave. I think Mark is most probably right, board was Knackered and I just finished it off.

Select to expand quote

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Maybe but I have never up hauled the red board (can't it just sinks under me). The board is transported in the car hanging from some webbing. I do think that when I come out of my jibe that I am a little bit heavy on the foot change though. It is just really odd that it has happened to two boards and the first board was always stored in a thick starboard travel bag. I will think about it some more and see if there is any other time that I put stress on the outside of the board. Thanks Gorgesailer (are you from Portland ?)

Sounds like you are getting some good answers below. I am from Hood River & work in Cascade Locks, about 40 miles East of Portland...

Select to expand quote

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Maybe but I have never up hauled the red board (can't it just sinks under me). The board is transported in the car hanging from some webbing. I do think that when I come out of my jibe that I am a little bit heavy on the foot change though. It is just really odd that it has happened to two boards and the first board was always stored in a thick starboard travel bag. I will think about it some more and see if there is any other time that I put stress on the outside of the board. Thanks Gorgesailer (are you from Portland ?)

Sounds like you are getting some good answers below. I am from Hood River & work in Cascade Locks, about 40 miles East of Portland...

What I learned was to stop buying crappie old boards and buy a new one, but there is another thread going in the windsurfing general sections about how crap the new cobra boards are. So I hope the new board is up for a challenge and I don't have to go board hunting for a while.
I saw your handle was gorgesailer, I have seen a few videos from "the Gorge" and thought it was near Portland but really didn't know. It looks like a wild place to windsurf at. I saw this one video where the guy jumps and just keeps going downwind MEGA-jump. Also, I think I got my state and city mixed up it's Portland, Oregon. I should have asked, "do you like in Oregon?".
Thanks and nice to meet you..

Select to expand quote

Henners said..

Sandman1221 said..
I have a Goya Bolt with a concave deck, the mast was hitting the board in the same area as on your older board, and I know when foiling and coming off the foil in 18-22 knots with 2-3 foot waves I will place my front foot in the same place, in front of the foot strap, when the board comes down and hits a wave top. My solution, before I got any cracks (just flexible spots, using firm finger pressure) was to add a 3/4" shim to the mast base (so the mast hit the side slope of the board and not the ridge of the concave deck). Then I covered the area with dual density deck padding from North Shore Inc. Been that way for at least a year with no problems, the padding adds strength and protection to the deck.

Hi Sandman,
Nice to hear from you. That's a good looking setup. I have something similar on my foil. My deck is not sunken but when I'm dragging the gear out to deeper water the mast rubs on the deck. I will keep it in mind as it might be a good idea to take some of the force out of my stepping. (I was repairing the board -- that's why it's upside down and yes I took over the kids playroom cause grown up's can have toys as well.)

Thanks Henners, it is not perfect, but I like it, other than the concave deck ridge issue and mast track just barely aft enough for foiling, it is very well built especially the foil box, and light at 16 lbs/7 kilos.

Select to expand quote

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Maybe but I have never up hauled the red board (can't it just sinks under me). The board is transported in the car hanging from some webbing. I do think that when I come out of my jibe that I am a little bit heavy on the foot change though. It is just really odd that it has happened to two boards and the first board was always stored in a thick starboard travel bag. I will think about it some more and see if there is any other time that I put stress on the outside of the board. Thanks Gorgesailer (are you from Portland ?)

Sounds like you are getting some good answers below. I am from Hood River & work in Cascade Locks, about 40 miles East of Portland...

What I learned was to stop buying crappie old boards and buy a new one, but there is another thread going in the windsurfing general sections about how crap the new cobra boards are. So I hope the new board is up for a challenge and I don't have to go board hunting for a while.
I saw your handle was gorgesailer, I have seen a few videos from "the Gorge" and thought it was near Portland but really didn't know. It looks like a wild place to windsurf at. I saw this one video where the guy jumps and just keeps going downwind MEGA-jump. Also, I think I got my state and city mixed up it's Portland, Oregon. I should have asked, "do you like in Oregon?".
Thanks and nice to meet you..

I, personally, wouldn't buy a new board that was built in the Cobra factory.

Select to expand quote

Grantmac said..

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..

gorgesailor said..

Henners said..
Hi all,
My outlay for windsurfing equipment is still second-hand. One is because of cost and the other is that I'm a little bit rough with the gear and can't justify buying something without a few battle scars.
I've had a few boards over the years and now I am facing another board with the deck starting to crack just in front of the front foot straps. It is the 2nd board that has the exact same cracks in the exact position.
I've picked up a newer board (2018) with no real damage and I'm hoping to avoid the same thing happening again.
If you could help me with why it happens? and how to stop it from happening?
I will just upload some pics as well so you can get a good idea.
The red board is the latest and the starboard s-type is the previous one hanging on the wall (I did repair the board with some layers of fiberglass and some cheap epoxy (hence the strange color) .
As always thank you very much for your help.

They don't look like stress cracks that would normally run rail to rail, or heel dents which are usually closer to the centerline, so I don't think it's from sailing. I would think possible your harness hook from climbing on the board or even the way you are tie on the roof rack etc...

Maybe but I have never up hauled the red board (can't it just sinks under me). The board is transported in the car hanging from some webbing. I do think that when I come out of my jibe that I am a little bit heavy on the foot change though. It is just really odd that it has happened to two boards and the first board was always stored in a thick starboard travel bag. I will think about it some more and see if there is any other time that I put stress on the outside of the board. Thanks Gorgesailer (are you from Portland ?)

Sounds like you are getting some good answers below. I am from Hood River & work in Cascade Locks, about 40 miles East of Portland...

What I learned was to stop buying crappie old boards and buy a new one, but there is another thread going in the windsurfing general sections about how crap the new cobra boards are. So I hope the new board is up for a challenge and I don't have to go board hunting for a while.
I saw your handle was gorgesailer, I have seen a few videos from "the Gorge" and thought it was near Portland but really didn't know. It looks like a wild place to windsurf at. I saw this one video where the guy jumps and just keeps going downwind MEGA-jump. Also, I think I got my state and city mixed up it's Portland, Oregon. I should have asked, "do you like in Oregon?".
Thanks and nice to meet you..

I, personally, wouldn't buy a new board that was built in the Cobra factory.

Hi GrantMc,
What boards do you normally buy?

Used ones. Preferably Simmer but occasionally something made by Cobra if they have decent reviews.