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Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

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Weatherman112
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Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Weatherman112 » Thu Oct 14, 2021 5:36 pm

Hi there,

I just went out for my first session on my new Duotone directional. Verry pleased with it.
After my session i noticed some star shaped cracks appeared on the top of the deck:
20211014_181116.jpg
I'm not worried it will break or anything. Just want to know what to expect and information about when i need to repair something as there are like 3 of them allready after my first session.

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Peter_Frank
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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Peter_Frank » Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:16 pm

Hmmm, a bit odd.

After some use, yes it is normal.

But for a brand new board to get 3 cracks, and I assume you havent jumped on the board, nor fallen with your bar, or left it on a rocky beach, it is a bit early.

It must be an epoxy board, as I believe nobody makes polyester boards anymore.

Because it looks like a fragile polyester board on the star cracks - not nearly as common on epoxy boards, which are a lot tougher in every way.

8) Peter

Weatherman112
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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Weatherman112 » Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:28 pm

Peter_Frank wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:16 pm
Hmmm, a bit odd.

After some use, yes it is normal.

But for a brand new board to get 3 cracks, and I assume you havent jumped on the board, nor fallen with your bar, or left it on a rocky beach, it is a bit early.

It must be an epoxy board, as I believe nobody makes polyester boards anymore.

Because it looks like a fragile polyester board on the star cracks - not nearly as common on epoxy boards, which are a lot tougher in every way.

8) Peter
Yes it is an epoxy board i think, it is the duotone 2020 construction with cork underneath.
I didn't fall and have no rocks nearby. Also cant feel anything on the surface so i think pressure caused it.

Also didnt jump high. It is made for strapless freestyle so i was thinking they build it quite strong..

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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Peter_Frank » Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:47 pm

Okay - even small jumps can be really hard on any board, as if you land flat the stress on the board is tremendous.

I would see how it goes after longer use - as with a new board you are always very cautious about any cracks :rollgrin:

Not so much later :naughty:

8) Peter

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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby jonysan » Thu Oct 14, 2021 8:46 pm

Difficult to tell from the photo, it looks like shattering/cracking of the surface layer by either a pointed object, ( like a stone if the board was put down heavily on it?) or the centre of a heel dent, but that would need to be quite deep to cause that star pattern. Either way, something caused it, worth investigating.

Weatherman112
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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Weatherman112 » Thu Oct 14, 2021 9:11 pm

jonysan wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 8:46 pm
Difficult to tell from the photo, it looks like shattering/cracking of the surface layer by either a pointed object, ( like a stone if the board was put down heavily on it?) or the centre of a heel dent, but that would need to be quite deep to cause that star pattern. Either way, something caused it, worth investigating.
I'm pretty sure it didn't come into contact with any sharp objects, i was really careful.

It looks bigger in the picture than it actually is. There is no dent around it, and no hole or damage on the surface as far as i can tell. I'll make a better picture tomorrow.

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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Robsw6 » Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:00 pm

Agree with the above, that looks like impact/ point load damage - boards i have broken / damaged through heavy use have longer cracks & delamination

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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Weatherman112 » Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:06 pm

Hmm, the side of the harness is the only thing i can think off (while walking to the beach).
Shoud i reïnforce it/repair it to prevent further damage?

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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Trent hink » Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:45 pm

Totally possible you did it with your harness hook or some other part.

Having built and repaired a few boards myself, I suspect that this is a sandwich board and that the cork layer is reasonably waterproof, along with the glass and resin layer beneath it.

So it's probably not much to worry about.

But if you are the worrying type, it might not hurt to brush a bit of epoxy over the ding or, if you are as lazy as most surfers :cool2: , maybe put a sticker or or a bit of clear packing tape over it... Just to be on safe side.
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Re: Surfboard: these small cracks normal?

Postby Da Yoda » Fri Oct 15, 2021 12:29 am

Peter_Frank wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 6:16 pm
It must be an epoxy board, as I believe nobody makes polyester boards anymore.
I'm 99% sure this board is EPS w/ Epoxy.
Regarding PU boards, a few are still out there. Core's Ripper2 & 720 G1 were PU, Eleveight's Escape Pro & Curl Pro are PU, and Loyd Kite Surfboards as well. :thumb:


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