Longboard Glass Cracked around fin box

General Discussion
1

Hey all!  I have been lurking around on swaylocks for a lil while now, and finally have something that I need advice on.

Board - 10’ x 23" x 3-1/4" Guy Takayama classic single fin (coke bottle green resin tint and black resin pinlines)

Back Story - I was out in the last clean swell (that i can remember) back in March/April here in San Diego… I got crossed up, took a spill and ended up landing on the fin on my way down (nice perma-bruise on my right hip / ass cheek for reference).  I came up and checked the board for damage - non to be found.  After that session, I surfed the board about 6 times on moderate to small surf, nothing powerful but i do like to push it around (being 5’10 and 200lbs, its not that hard to do).  So the last two times I took it out, I noticed that there was an unusual amount of salt build up around the forward section of the fin box. But, the waves were calling and i didn’t have another log to rotate in, so I took old greenie out.  After the last trip out, before hanging the log up to dry, I started inspecting the damage to the fin box and noticed that there were cracks and discoloration in the glass/lam.  CRAP! To add to the injury, I was able to wiggle the fin (attached in the finbox) and see small amounts of water semi-squishing out of the affected areas. I was using a 10.5" Ames Heritage pivot (and I love the performance that this fin has given to this board - others have said that the fin is prolly too large)

Here we go…

  1. I have seen other posts where there were stress cracks around the fin and tail area - and the solution was to sand down and add additional layer(s) of glass.

  2. Another post, regarding a cracked fin box. This one led to minor surgery and fin box replacement, then another layer of glass over the tail section and around the box to reinforce.

My skills with shaping/ding repair/glassing are very limited.  I honestly have been putting off doing this repair for the last few months because I am intimidated by what is in store for me.  Its time to man-up and give it a try.  I have access to a router and sanding tools, just need to get materials for repairs.

 

What route do you think is the best, based on the damage? My end result (ideally) would be to not lose any of the resin tint around the area. I just love the looks of this board, and would hate to ruin any part of it. It looks like the fin box is a 10.5" Fins Unlimited - which looks like it is still available.

One other thing... The fin box has the leash plug drilled through to the deck. Does this change the game any...?

I have attached pictures so you can get an idea of what I am facing.

Thank you in advance for any assistance provided!

Regards,

Sean

 

 

 

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2

By the time you buy the proper tools and materials to attempt this repair you could have had a professional do the repair.If you like the board let somebody that knows what they are doing fix it for you.A cheap router with the propper bit and jig will run you almost 100$.Then the fin box, glass, resin,q-cell,sandpaper,paintbrush,mixing cups,stir sticks,gloves,tape,razor blades,scissors,well you get the picture…now paying someone 100$ to fix it and for you to not even have to touch it doesn’t sound so bad does it.

3

$#!t Happens   All the time.  Sand it .  Put a football glass patch over it.  Finish it off.   OR-------------Sue the MO---FO!   Your choice!

4

Thx Jesus, I decided to drop it off at the local ding shop.  Better let the pros do it.  They suggested an additional layer of glass over the box - as McDing stated. So I hope that holds it.

Regards,

Sean

5

if you were able to wiggle the fin while still attached to the box then that means that the foundation of the box has been crack(or seperated from the filler) and theres no way to fix that unless you route out the box and put a new one in, putting a patch over the box will help for a little bit but keep a close eye out on it cause it will most likely wiggle its way through the glass patch and start taking on more water later on

6

Thanks SD,

 

I did see movement in the box so I told the ding shop that.  They said that they would look at it, and let me know if the box is compromised.  I really need to figure out how to do these repairs myself - to prep myself for when I jump into the deep end and shape my first board.  Not the best board for me to play Surgeon with, however... lol.

Regards,

Sean