Lots of guys I sail with tie a piece of old bright rope around one or two foot straps, cant miss that.
Me, Ive just got into the habit of undoing vent as I pack up and doing it up as I insert fin like Choco.

I never used to do it. But now that I've read this thread. I do it !!! I'm also considering the vent plug issue.....

hows the weather were you are easty your susposed to be in for a week of rough weather , had a fantastic sail today what you get up to bazz

jp747 said...

i finally got myself to take off vent plug since a year ago..then i said to myself nah return before i forget to put it back which surely i know myself i would..having to take off the board bag in a rigging frenzy is one step i'd like not to do but i've seen board fly off twice thrice fly off the racks since long ago that was worth doingif i said in previous reply i have sailed once,twice,three times with fin cover on i wonder what could happen with a teeny plug

i tried to sail my board once with the fin cover on , they dont like it and you have to take back in all while your trying to get a sail in before wind drops

You can get all your supplies and vent/bung questions answered here:



Why not buy a franchise?

Arlo said...

Given the view that a one way valve would be OK as it is only expansion that causes damage, is there likely to be any merit in screwing the vent plug in after letting it get as hot as you dare (e.g. leaving it in a car on a stinking hot day) as it would remove the need to undo it again unless it was likely to be subjected to higher temperatures or going on a plane?

The problem with that is if the board is sealed when it is hot and then the board hits the water it will cool thus creating a lower pressure inside the board, if there is not a proper seal at the vent plug water will then be sucked into the board.

elmo said...

Arlo said...

Given the view that a one way valve would be OK as it is only expansion that causes damage, is there likely to be any merit in screwing the vent plug in after letting it get as hot as you dare (e.g. leaving it in a car on a stinking hot day) as it would remove the need to undo it again unless it was likely to be subjected to higher temperatures or going on a plane?

The problem with that is if the board is sealed when it is hot and then the board hits the water it will cool thus creating a lower pressure inside the board, if there is not a proper seal at the vent plug water will then be sucked into the board.

so in effect elmo it's just ok to leave the plug as long as it has a proper seal since even on a hot day it'll cool off in the water?unless really extreme temps..

it could ob64? i thought only water could delam a board and if it was carbon wrapped i was told the chances of a delam is nil..is there truth to this

You only have to leave a sealed plastic drink bottle out in the sun to see what effect it has. Magnify that when left in a hot sealed car.

Not sure I wanna take the risk with my board.

Just to keep it simple.

The vent plug is there for a reason.

If manufacturers didn't have to put them in they wouldn't as it costs money to do so.

Do them up before a session

Undo them after a session.

Check the "O"ring regularly for wear and clean the recess where it sits.


If you want to leave the plug done up, don't complain if the board fails.

If you don't want to do up the plug, don't complain when your board weighs more than you do.

If you don't want a bung plug, either buy a plastic jacketed board or a Carbon Art board(or similar) which uses the Gore Style vent.