I have removed the wax of my fish and I have noticed quite a few cracks in the gloss coat on the deck along the length of the stringer. There are also some cracks around the leash plug, on one of the tips of the swallow tail and one crack on the rail about a foot from the nose. Below is a picture of the damage:
The board is a quadfish with a concave deck, has a pigmented resin glass job and a gloss coat. I have no idea about what thickness of glass was used. The board is almost 2 years old, and has only been surfed about 40 sessions. I’m about 150-160lbs.
I have the impression that only the gloss coat has cracked, so I wonder if this needs to be repaired or not?
Dannowar, im getting close to 3 years on my 6x66oz plus surfblanks red foam fish, and the deepest deck compression would be 2mm haha. Been surfed hundreds of times, and im 175lbs, though just lost over 20 lbs. A strong glass job has a few benefits!!
in the modern fish and small shortboards designs the thickness in the tail area need to be very little (in the shaping process) more than what PU can handle and very far from the crust of the blank (hardest part)
not the case with PS that have the same density in all the foam.
and a heavy footed surfer in a few sessions can leave more deeper dents in that area.
I had this board custom made and the glasser did a nice job with the pigment indeed.
My average wave count is more like 40*5=200 waves. But I'll be moving to Autralia next month, so I expect to get that wavecount up soon.
Still not sure if I should have the cracks repaired or not before I leave. The picture only shows a couple, there are quite a few more along the stringer almost up to the logo.
I suppose I'll order EPS/epoxy next time, hopefully that will last longer.
Normal foam compression/cracking. Has nothing to do with the construction. Every board has a lifespan, some longer than others. EPS allows for a heavier glass job and longer life.
I’ve got worst cracks on my MR singlefin after one session? It seems glassed well. Cracks are where I sit. Maybe where I put my knee when duck diving. It sucks finding a board you really like and knowing it’s not going to last. I think I’ll go EPS and epoxy resin next time around.
I got bad cracks on the right side of the stringer on the first fish I made. Just didn’t have the stringer level with the foam so it was weak on that side. And I think I let it cure about 3 days instead of about 2 weeks like I’d heard somewhere. Too stoked on it. I’ve glossed over the cracks but I think it’s too much of a structural problem because they keep coming back. Learned my lesson. Gonna take my time, pay attention to the stringer, and probably go 6 oz. next time around.
