14' board + board bag + wind?

[puget sound]

How necessary is a board bag for long trips on the freeway (75mph)? I figured it would protect the board from projectile gravel and the sun, but the combo I have is an awful PIA so now I'm wondering...how much damage would I risk by never putting it in a board bag?

Details: I have a SIC RSx23" and the matching board bag, which doubles as a bag for the SIC Bullet. The Bullet, which is more consistently chunky, is a good fit. The bag fits the high-volume nose of the RS, but then gets flappy where the board flattens out. Some trips have been fine, but yesterday, in higher winds and 300+ miles, I must have stopped a half dozen times trying to stop the thwapping. Tried nose first, tail first, quadruple checked the straps, tried tying extra straps around the bag at looser places to give it a better fit. Ultimately, driving at speed, it seemed like the bag was too big a temptation for the wind. I took off the bag and everything was fine. Less movement, no sound.

Surely some of you have solved this. Is it better to ditch the bag? Or is it worth getting crafty to produce a better fit? I thought about strapping a series of bungies around the bag next time...but what a goofy hassle.

[Luc Benac]

I use a Victory Koredry UV sleeve fro all my boards. It is lighter, noiseless and protect the bottom and side of the board.
When I had board bags, they would end-up in storage rather than in use.

[puget sound]

Thanks, Luc, that looks like a good solution. I'll give it a shot.