I have a possible trip coming up in a couple of months, and want to take a board with me rather than rely on whatever I might be able to rent where I’m going. I’m just a little concerned about the fact that I will be on probably six (!) different flights, and the resultant potential for board damage. I fortunately have a prolite padded bag, so that ought to mitigate the worst of it. But I’m still reluctant to risk my good board. (A big guy thruster with removable fins). The other board I’m considering taking is an older hybrid/egg with glass on fins for which I have made jury-rig foam pads. I took someone’s suggestion (I think from an old Swaylock’s posting) and got one of those cylindrical foam pool floats, cut it up and used duct tape to make them - fit snug and stay on the fins o.k. The trade-off on the boards styles themselves is about 50/50, depending on what the condition of the waves - the egg might actually have an edge (small waves). The question is, what are the chances that glass-on fins are going to get snapped off anyway (they are standard 4.5" tri-fin style)? Would I be better off taking the thruster? Seems like the way luggage gets thrown around, there is the likelihood of acquiring a new collection of pressure dings as well. Thanks in advance for any feedback -billa
I had a board with glass-on fins that I took travelling with a custom made “fence” made of lexan that was positioned over the 3 fins and taped into place. Had the guy at the local plastic fabricator make it. Cheap considering the alternative. The next time I travelled with the same board I had the glass-ons sanded off and removable ones put in.
pc, That was another option I was considering. Might be a little tough here in Seattle. As far as I know, the nearest shaper/shop that might be able to do that would be down in Seaside, Oregon or up in Victoria on Vancouver Island. There aren’t any shapers in this immediate area that I am aware of. What was the cost to have the fins replaced? thanks, -bill
I honestly forget the exact price. $100 - 120 ??? Cheaper that a new board and the fins stopped whistling.
pc, yeah, that price sounds about right. I happened upon a web site of a surf/sailboard shop in Portland that does repairs. Maybe I’ll drop them an email and see if they can replace them. thanks for the suggestion. -billa
billa, we’re all dying to know what your destination is! six different flights?? have you considered fedex’ing your board to wherever it is you’re going? it’s surprisingly affordable and totally dependable. kirk
Kirk, Yeah, six flights sounds like it’s destined for some place like the Nicobar or Mentawai Islands: visions of perfect, uncrowded reef-break tropical water tubes. If it comes off, it will be pretty good, but not what the number might suggest. A few days on Maui: work-related, actually, but might leave some water time. Then the real vacation time, around a week or so in New Zealand - north island. (Raglan!). The fewest number of airport dots that connect from Seattle to Kahului and Auckland also include Honolulu, by my reckoning, and then back (retrace because r/t always cheaper). Still an outside chance it will happen, but planning it helps get through the winters here. Gotta big swell up here right now, though, I hope that you’re getting some of it wherever you are.-billa
if i were you id take one board that you know will go in most conditions. after many trips dragging 2 or 3 boards in a boardbag through airports ive learnt to take which ever board i think i will use most of the time. nothing worse that carrying 30kg’s of weight through some shitty city.
i’d take the big guy tri, way more versatility and easier to travel with(w/ the removable fins). easy one.