Not really. But I do find the vent hole in my boards really annoying unless I ignore it completely.

In the past I have always just tightened it up and never bothered to vent the board (off the water).

But recently, I managed to destroy my wave board and someone said that was because I hadn't been loosening the vent plug out of the water.

Anyway, I am still reluctant to vent - after all, putting your board out on the hot sand while on the car or rigging, then screwing up the vent plug, then dunking it in the (cold) ocean is a recipe for maximum stress on the board IMHO (and on me). Also doesn't help your first run when you remember you forgot to do it up!

Better to screw the vent plug up tight while the board is cool, not bother with it, and then try and keep it out of the sun? Less stress all around?

Any compelling alternatives to the above logic?

the vent plug is more about avoiding board explosions due to the extreme in car temps of summer (up to 80 deg C) and for air travel. these are the main ones that delam boards completely and quickly.

long term use of vent plugs will extend the life of you board. it will see less pressure cycles which is only a good thing :)

what happened to your board?? how was it destroyed??

I always have it undone except for about 3 months in winter.

Make sure the straps are dry ish before putting in bag, and leave bag open a bit.

Many ppl (sorry, people ) say they have always left it done up and never had a delam. Good luck to them.
BUT I have also seen board where the paint has bubbled due to pressure in the board making water vapour get under the paint. It looks really bad and devalues the board.

what year were the barbed wire graphics models?

i thought some 01s were weak and were replaced with 02s under warranty. but i could be wrong.

that your backyard haircut? no wonder you know so much.

thanks!

#8730;ent doesnt bother me when i sail with a cracked rail, a smashed crab for a nose and water coming out from under the pads... there is no such thing as a water tight board.. let the board breath!

Yeah yeah sbc, its the plug that's annoying, not the vent.

You are hereby appointed keeper of the vent terminology.

master board maker bj insists on ALWAYS opening the vent ...

something to do with the foam beads always expanding and contracting whilst the vent is done up; eventually loosing their molecular structure thingo errr and the board wont last as long.....

course if you've got loads of coin, don't worry about it, but if you're strapped, u might be able to eeek another season out the ol dog.

Mark _australia said...
I can't be bothered doing the math but going off the hiss when I open the vent plug just on a normal 30deg day I reckon it could get to 30 or 40psi (?) inside the board in a car if the plug is undone?

30 deg is normal? Sigh

Mark _australia said...

Easty I meant a normal summer day as opposed to the board in the car hahaha
Hey glad you quoted me it made me notice the typo..... last bit should be done up NOT undone

Ha, didn't even notice the typo, got to you saying a "normal 30 deg day" and started thinking about repairing the rips in my 5/4 wetty.