Okay... I have asked about the vent screw before as it was leaking but not about the correct action in relation to open/close.

My current course of action is
-Store board on rack at home in garage with screw out
-Put board in bag and stack on ute roof
-Screw screw in at beach and sail
-come home, wash kit
-board back on rack and remove screw - then repeat process when wind comes back

I have a new board and I am pretty sure the screw has never been undone, do I follow current procedure or just leave it done up?
Please advise oh wise ones!!

Well I'd change your process to undoing the screw at the beach, not drive home with it done up.
It's in the sun that it's at the most risk, even in a cover.

Then use this with new board as well, not sure why the screw is closed from the shop, sounds like a bad idea to me.

Ilive in wa and i never unscrew my vent plug .I have had about 15 starboards nothing has ever happend but i get a bit nervous when its about 40 odd.and how many times have you nearly crossthreaded it trying 2 get out quickly when the swell finely comes up.

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beer pig said...

Ilive in wa and i never unscrew my vent plug .I have had about 15 starboards nothing has ever happend but i get a bit nervous when its about 40 odd.and how many times have you nearly crossthreaded it trying 2 get out quickly when the swell finely comes up.

Lucky, I guess? Or maybe starboard have a hidden pressure valve. I left my board (not a starboard) on the back lawn and went fishing a few weeks back (hot/sunny day & forgot about it), came home, quickly undid the screw and the amount of air pressure was incredible!

I always undo the screw...and unfortunately sometimes forget to put it back before hitting the water...

I recently glued the bottom of hardy's slalom board back on after it totally delamned. Didn't come out very well either, after I vacuumed it on their was a huge hollow.
Hardy was leaving the screw done up in case he forgot to do it up.

If you have a chinook deck plate. A good way to not forget to do up the screw is when you remove it place it inside the middle of the deckplate and push back in the clip all the way. it is then safely kept in there and can't fall out. in a mad rush and go to plug in the sail you can't because the screw is in there.

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jimbob SA said...

If you have a chinook deck plate. A good way to not forget to do up the screw is when you remove it place it inside the middle of the deckplate and push back in the clip all the way. it is then safely kept in there and can't fall out. in a mad rush and go to plug in the sail you can't because the screw is in there.

I discovered this earlier this year. Locking the clip secures the bolt and its impossible to connect the board to the plate with the damn bolt in the way.

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timford said...


I have a new board and I am pretty sure the screw has never been undone, do I follow current procedure or just leave it done up?
Please advise oh wise ones!!

My latest JP board came with the vent plug in a plastic bag, never been in the board. It would be not right for the board to leave the shop tightened up??


So, my question is how do the Bic boards avoid the pressure problem without a vent screw?

being old and forgetful I tie bright yellow string around a footstrap to remind me to put in the screw

My fin screw head is the same as the vent screw head, so when the fin goes in- the vent goes in. The fin out - the vent comes out. Easy

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sailpilot said...

My fin screw head is the same as the vent screw head, so when the fin goes in- the vent goes in. The fin out - the vent comes out. Easy

yeah same here, i just keep my fin screws and vent plug together that way i cant forget it...

I take the screw out, turn it upside down and slip it into the mast track. Can't put the mast base in without taking the vent plug out of the way, and the o-ring holds it in there so it doesn't get lost.

Or, buy a board with a goretex vent, and just never touch it.

Gidday Tim,
I always undo the vent screw. When I come in I leave the board until its time to de-rig and leave for beer.
Undo the screw a couple of turns to release pressure. Then when you are washing your gear, nip it back up. When your boards on the rack remove completely etc.
At Kyeemagh if your having a breather or a drink your boards sitting in the hot sun on the beach so it does build up pressure.
Then again Sam and others never touch the damn things.
My Falcon has been dinged a few times and repaired but has not put on a bit of weight. Must be doing something right.
Cheers,
Larko.

Good tip:
When you remove the screw, open up the velcro on one footstrap and snug the screw in there... when you come to pick up the board to go sailing you should hopefully notice (depending on the brand of footstrap and the contrasting colours of the velcro) that the footstrap is open and the screw is in there.

I don't tend to take mine out because the van is well insulated and kept underground. Only if it's a hot day or the board is on the beach do I take it out.

A board of mine once got put on a plane with the screw still in and no damage done, but I think I got lucky there.

Remember to check the o-ring regularly as well and replace if necessary.

Easy peasy. Throw that meddlesome vent screw away - you don't need it. It is only extra weight to sail with. Takes extra time to rig and de-rig, as well.

When reaching, remember to place the big toe of your front foot over the vent hole. When tacking, remember to put the heel of your rear foot on the vent hole as you step round the front of the board. When gybing and water starting, well, now it gets interesting . . .



Disclaimer: The author of this advice accepts no reponsibility, should anyone be stupid enough to follow it.