Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 08, 2019, 04:49:57 PM »

Hi washingtonsurfer

I got your email today, and have been off on a mini surf trip with a buddy for a few days, so I missed this.

The goretex vent will bubble if water is on the deck, because a goretex vent is designed to allow the board to breat as in heats and cools.
The problem with a "fixed vent" that must be unscrewed is:
All boards expand and contract.... if no "breathing" vent, the boards get bigger, then smaller.... over and over until the skin cracks.
Picture a a thin piece of metal.... if you bend it back and forth, it will crack, then snap.

The Sunova Goretex vent is designed so the expansion of the interior gas will simply exhaust out the vent, then breath back in when the temp changes again. The gortex lets the vapors pass through the membrane, but not liquid.
Sunova skin is spared the constant flexing that weakens the structure.

The board exhausting vapor will cause bubbles in any water on the deck as it escapes. totally normal.
The wrong thing to do is remove the vent, or tighten it.... just leave it alone, they rarely fail.
I have never heard of something going in that tiny hole and tearing the goretex.

Several questions before you decide anything:
Did you weigh the board when you got it?
What kind of scale do you use?

I have two scales in my bathroom.... hold on, I'll go weigh myself, tick, tock, tick, tock...
ok.... 235 on one scale and 238 on the other scale.... hummm, I weighed 228 yesterday 
meaning 2 things
Scales vary
and.... I'm fat 

ever wonder why you weigh so much at the Doctors?

ok, so here are some possible explanations:
The pics you sent me didn't worry me, I don't think there is any leaking there.

No manufacturer in the world achieves the same weight on every board they produce, and all aspire to keep with in a tolerance of +- 6%

so on a board suppose to weigh 20.5 lbs, so anywhere from 19.3 to 21.8
I have seen only one board that came in noticeably heavier... an 8'10 that weighed more than my 9'4. Unfortunately, sometimes that happens.

All this means is your board could be a bit on the heavy side, and your scale could be on the high side.
The only scale I trust, is a digital shipping scale I use.
Try another scale, to double check the board weight.
Could be you got a great deal on the board cuz it was built heavy.

check for leaks:
Any place that you think could have leaked, place in the sun and after it heats up a bit, pour a little water over suspect area and watch for bubbles there.... not in the vent

Your only problem may be a scale that's off and a board that's a bit overweight.
Since I designed it, overweight seems most likely 

Please keep me posted, and I am sorry for any troubles you may be having!

I hadn't been out for a few days when I noticed the water coming out of the vent that's why it worried me. I LOVE this board! Definitely don't want any delamination or anything like that to be happening.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 08, 2019, 11:46:24 AM »

Ok I'll probably use my vehicle because all I have is a wood stove in my house for heat and it's way to warm out for that lol. So how hot is too hot? And how long is too long?

3

Gear Talk / Re: Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 08, 2019, 07:50:31 AM »

Sometimes vent plugs fail and need to be replaced, probably the membrane is compromised.  It's rare but we see it occasionally.
I would let the board fully dry out in a hot/ dry place but not in direct sun and then install a new vent plug.

Where would be a good place to let it dry out? It's barely reaching 70° throughout the day where I live in Washington. Inside by a window? Inside my vehicle? (Those are the only hot areas that aren't direct sunlight) Should I leave it vent side up or down? Sorry for all the newbie questions I just dont want to cause any further damage to the board.

4

Gear Talk / Re: Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 07, 2019, 09:10:59 PM »

my vented plugs have never caused a problem--of course, i dont touch them or mess with them

and i have never rinsed a board, ever---and put them in my bags all salty and wet--no problem ever

i weigh all my boards with a good digital baby scale---so if i saw a vent bubbling, i'd get that board directly to the scale to see wuttup

the bubbling could just be normal pressure relief--somthing id want to rule out before messing with and potentially actually damaging the vent

my fanatic aw has a non-vented plug--a relative hassle--gotta adjust before and after flights, and lose it? or over torgue the o-ring? problemo!

never touched my vented plugs--never a hassle--never a problem

could be im just a lucky man (i am)

The board weighed 25 lbs without fins. Online says it should weigh a little over 20 lbs. 5lbs of water seems like enough water that it would almost pour out if I pulled the plug out and tipped it upside down.

5

Gear Talk / Re: Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 06, 2019, 07:31:18 PM »

When I started standup back in 2013, most companies used non-vented plugs and I never saw any boards with problems from it.

I've been thinking about switching to non vented plugs but haven't done it yet. I guess because I haven't had any problems. All my boards are fine at the moment.

It's easy to find solid plugs to fit Sunova boards online. I did some research a while back and almost ordered some. It's a standard plug size that is used on many things, mostly automotive I think. They don't cost much and even come in different colors.

.

If your vented plug started leaking would you replace it with a non-vented? I like the idea that its user error not plug error if I had a non-vented.

6

Gear Talk / Re: Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 06, 2019, 01:25:30 PM »

I've checked over the board a few times for tiny dings that I might be missing but haven't found any. I dont think a lot of water got in maybe a few tablespoons came out. What is a good replacement plug? Would it be better to go with a non-venting plug?

7

Gear Talk / Re: Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 05, 2019, 01:37:18 PM »

I sat it out today with the plug out to see if it was still bubbling and there's definitely water coming out of the vent hole. There's no dings or cracks on the board to let water in so I dont know where the water would have gotten in there. This is on a Sunova Creek.

8

Gear Talk / Vent plug bubbling when dry

« on: May 04, 2019, 05:53:48 PM »

After going out today I noticed water bubbles coming out of the vent plug. First time I've ever noticed it and it's not the first day it's been warm. I checked to make sure it was tight and pulled it out to make sure nothing was obstructing the o-ring. Am I worrying for nothing?

9

Gear Talk / Re: Tired of my ISLE, need help choosing a stronger shorter board

« on: April 19, 2019, 06:48:05 PM »

Hey thanks everybody for your input I gained a whole lot of knowledge about SUP's that I can't wait to use in the future as I start buying more later on. I ended up buying the 9'4" creek from supnsurf. I love how it paddles on flat water and will see how well I like it in the surf tomorrow (I'm assuming I'll be amazed). Just so happened to live in the same town also so it worked perfect.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Tired of my ISLE, need help choosing a stronger shorter board

« on: April 17, 2019, 08:40:32 PM »

I bought ISLE's all around paddleboard a few years ago and I thinks it's time to move to something else. I surf knee high to over head waves and want something that is strong enough that I'm not gunna be fixing the board everytime my paddle hits it like the board I'm on now. Im not sure how small of a board I should go to, to be able to surf and paddle the lake every once in awhile. Looking for people's opinions as I've only been surfing for a few years. I'm not looking for the best but something that can progress my skills better than my ISLE.

Look at the Jimmy Lewis range. Of the bigger brands, they make the most durable-but-lightweight boards IMO. Try as many boards as you can - borrow, demo etc. and get to know what suits you best. Just try any board you can get your hands on - you’ll learn from them even if they aren’t what you are looking for. Then you’ll have a better idea of what suits you.

You don’t tell us the dimensions of your current board, or how heavy you are. That makes it a bit hard to be specific about recommendations.

I'm 180lbs my board now is 10'10", 31" wide and 4 1/2" thick. I've been looking at the starboard blue carbon line anyone familiar with their construction? Dont get me wrong I dont need the best of the best but I dont mind spending the money for quality!

11

Gear Talk / Tired of my ISLE, need help choosing a stronger shorter board

« on: April 17, 2019, 02:16:10 PM »

I bought ISLE's all around paddleboard a few years ago and I thinks it's time to move to something else. I surf knee high to over head waves and want something that is strong enough that I'm not gunna be fixing the board everytime my paddle hits it like the board I'm on now. Im not sure how small of a board I should go to, to be able to surf and paddle the lake every once in awhile. Looking for people's opinions as I've only been surfing for a few years. I'm not looking for the best but something that can progress my skills better than my ISLE.