Am I making a mistake?

[SaltH2Opaddler]

Thanks to all who have replied.

I am confident that I will be okay.

Probably will end up painting it and/or put a UV coating on it as Pono suggested.

So regular Kyrlon spray paint is okay? I don't need any special boat style paint?

Thanks again for all those who commented.

I will post pictures once the money and board have changed hands...don't want to Jinx it. LOL!!

[PonoBill]

Two years ago I didn't know much about carbon fiber except that it's black. 

[RonDog]

I'm not sure what your concern is or why people are recommending immediate bagging. There's nothing intrinsic to carbon fiber (unlike Kevlar) that weakens it from UV. The biggest issue I know of is that it's black and therefore absorbs sunlight and converts it to a lot of heat. The heat may damage the epoxy, but won't do anything to the carbon.

 Other than the differential expense I don't know of anything particular to carbon that makes it more sensitive. Not true for Kevlar, which loses a lot of it's toughness when it's exposed to UV.

I know it's been a few years and sorry to dig up an old thread but, Bill, do you still feel this way?

[stoneaxe]

I think the biggest thing to be concerned about is if any water gets into the board. The bottom of the Speedboard dimpled around the fin after a little water got in and then it was left in the sun this summer. No carbon damage but a weird ripple on the bottom right around the fin.