Hi all, looking for some help/advice... just got back from a week in bali, got a few small waves on my deep minion out front of hotel in legian in the limited time available (work trip). but on first surf back while out in water yesterday i noticed my fcs vent plug (in handle) did not have the screw plug in it!! I'm pretty sure (but not certain) it used to have the screw in plug attached previously, but can't say I've looked too hard in the handle...

got one opinion and it was that the vent was still sealed so no water had got in and it was no drama - would this only be the case if a plug was never attached (does the plug pierce the seal or something)? I couldn't notice any waterlogging after my surf, and didn't seem to have excess water dripping out, I presume this would be noticeable if I'd had at least one surf with it unsealed???

is it damaged? if not should I get a plug and put it in anyway, or leave as is? any advice appreciated.

thanks, dools

ps I had read about releasing the plug while travelling but hadn't bothered as opinions seem divided on it....

Tardy said..
Hey dools ,I've done it a few month ago ..got the vacuum cleaner out ..on it ..the foam inside will handle water ,but best dry it out for a few days in a warm spot ...no direct sun ...should be ok ...make sure the rubber grommet is still ok in the screw ...
Take it out ...if on a plane ..trip ..I didn't do it on one of my windsurfers ..when I got home I did ...it was like opening a shacking up soft drink ..lucky it didn't explode the board.

the fcs handles come with the hole blocked, you have to drill them out after installation. so if you cant see a hole into the foam it probably never had one.

some times the little caps on the vents can break off which just exposes the gore membrane which shouldn't cause any problems but would be worth replacing at some point soon