Whats the damage?

[Simmo]

Hi there,

I bought a new minimal about 10 days ago, surfed it twice and then during the third session noticed a fairly sizeable crack in the deck.

My surfing mates said its just a wee repair job and it happens but i'm not convinced. Removing the wax has revealed the whole area either side of the stringer about midway down the board is covered in stress cracks in the glass and at the 2 major splits one side of the split is depressed by 1 or 2 mm.
There is also a spot on the LHS were the glass has been depressed below the level of the stringer in the middle of the board.
Can I live with this? Or have a bought a lemon?

And if the tiny cracks are nothing to worry about then what sort of repair job do I need to do/get done on the big ones?

Cheers guys,

Harry

[waverat]

get it back to the shop! If ya didnt chuck it on the rocks, they should be able to work something out for you.

[kitesurfer]

If your certain you didn't cause the damage then defo take it back and ask for a replacement. That kind of damage might happen over time but not 10 days.

KS

[Simmo]

A mate suggested it was probably caused by putting a knee down on poor takeoffs.
I don't dispute this, but i'd expect dents not cracks.

Will talk to the shop tomorrow. Just so that I know, are the little stress cracks a problem? or is my problem with the big cracks only?

And if they offer to repair it do I accept or tell them to pursue the manufacturer because the board is not fit for purpose?

And yes this was all while surfing, not in transit or bashed on rocks or anything.

Cheers guys.

[Simmo]

So the situation is the shop sent some pictures to the supplier who just happened to be in the area that day doing a delivery.
He, the UK importer of Tiki/Hot Buttered mass produced boards has been in to have a look at it and i'm waiting to hear his verdict.

From speaking to the shop beforehand however it sounds like they are going to say that i have caused that damage. Thing is after saying it is a common thing with beginner boards he went on to say they sold 56 of them last year and didn't hear of a single fault so its obviously not a common thing.

Should the tiki man say its my problem and not offer a new board I have 2 choices.
1. Persue the manufacturer, hope for some sympathy
2. Take up the shops offer of a free repair job and move on. (probably to sell that board for a loss and buy a shorter one which I have more faith in

Would I have a leg to stand on if I went to the manufacturer?

Harry

[Hang11]

Get it fixed - it will probably be fine, if it's just that patch that has the problem.

It's really hard to say with damage as to whether it's a bad glass job or something that happened - you may not even realise when you do it. No need to sell the board and lose money if you're happy with the shape. You have to be a bit careful with new boards and make sure that they have had time to cure properly, so if it's recently been made, it's maybe a bit easier to damage as well.

A few years ago, I snapped a board the first time I used it, on my first wave. I was gutted, got hit by the lip, and when I came up it was in two pieces. Couldn't get the shop to do anything about it, which was fair enough really. Ended up glassing it back together and selling it to a clueless poser for almost what it cost me.

[billie_morini]

It looks to me that the stringer may have not been planed to the height of the foam. I've seen that a few times, including on my own favorite board.

Repair of what is shown in your photos is not too big a deal. It will be a shame if the manufacturer doesn't replace it. Think of the good will spread in the form of free promotion. After all, your posts are read by people all over the globe. Likewise, the converse is true (e.g., think of all the negative promotion that can ensue).

If they manufacturer won't replace the board, I'd accept the shop offer to repair it. They'll sand the surfaces, plane the stringer if exposed, and lay a couple of 3 to 4 inch strips of fiberglass on the deck. It'll be as good as new. As stated, my favorite board has a repair like I've described. It don't even notice it.

[isaluteyou]

It looks to me that the stringer may have not been planed to the height of the foam. I've seen that a few times, including on my own favorite board.

Yep thats exactly what i was thinking just an accident waiting to happen. First thing my good friend shaper told me to do when i started out shaping was to be sure the stringer is planed flush otherwise all sorts of errors can ensue particually if its in a place where footing goes

[Simmo]

Just letting you know whats happened so far...its an on-going story!

The shop promised to repair it for me last week, I've had exams and thought nothing of just leaving it with them. Got a call today from a mate saying the shops gone into liquidation get your surfboard out so just been down there to recover it.

Took to opportunity to speak to a real surf shop who said immediately go to the manufacturers, they should replace it. So yeah, time to get on to Hot Buttered/Tiki and push them directly.
He also thought you guys were spot on with your suggestion that the stringer wasn't planed to the level of the foam.
Cheers guys!

[isaluteyou]

Just letting you know whats happened so far...its an on-going story!

The shop promised to repair it for me last week, I've had exams and thought nothing of just leaving it with them. Got a call today from a mate saying the shops gone into liquidation get your surfboard out so just been down there to recover it.

Took to opportunity to speak to a real surf shop who said immediately go to the manufacturers, they should replace it. So yeah, time to get on to Hot Buttered/Tiki and push them directly.
He also thought you guys were spot on with your suggestion that the stringer wasn't planed to the level of the foam.
Cheers guys!

sucks been given the runnaround. Hope you have some luck and get it sorted

[billie_morini]

Simmo: "...I've had exams..."
Billie: "So, how'd you do?"

[crepuscular]

looks like too much pressure to me... or the board was poorly made and couldnt withstand much pressure...