Sport Today

I have a Tiga XFree-281 (=Bic Techno 283) which has a classic broken nose -
a well known problem with these boards.

I first repaired it with some marine Epoxy, and was quite happy until the
next boom-hit on it re-broke it.

So then I took some automotive fiberglass kit, and repaired the nose. The
crack(s) were only about 3-4", so I glassed that, and then continued to
feather the resin over another ~8". It is strong and beautiful(?!), but now
the rear portion is separating from the board, seems liek the fiberglass
didn't bond as well as it first seemed.I am not sure if I didn't clean it
well enough, or it needed surface roughing, or what.

One repair person advised (via Email) that I "had used polyester resin on a
epoxy board. It will not bond for long." Does this sound right? Is an epoxy
only repair approach adequate? The last time after a few months the edges of
the epoxy were also coming loose where very thinly feathered at the dedges.

I live in Iowa, so there are not a lot of surfboard repair shops here!

Any suggestions or hints appreciated.

Gregory

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For your education, check this out:

http://www.boardlady.com/index.htm

There is an active Yahoo Group called Boardbuilding that should have
all your answers.

CTM

Thanks,
If I lived in Maui, instead of Iowa, this would solve it for me!  :-)

Best,
Gregory

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Don't use fiberlass products on Epoxy or Plastic Boards
it will melt the foam see the Board Lady site as to why.

  You and most everyone else is majorly confused.
  First of all, only poly resin should not be used with styro cores.
  Your delam could result from inadaquate surface prep on the plastic
ABS coat that Bic/Tiga applies over the fiberglass.  You need to sand
all the ABS away, so your epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth can stick to
the existing cloth and epoxy.

Uh, "fiberglass products" will melt the board?  You'll find fiberglass on
virtually all boards, but you are correct about epoxy.  Poly resin is a
major no no on epoxy boards.  And you are also correct about finding all you
could possibly want to know on Eva's site.  Follow Eva's instructions to the
letter.  It may seem like a lot of work but her way is the ONLY correct way
of repairing boards.  You should be able to mail order the correct
materials, but if you have a decent sized lake near you there is probably
also a marine hardware store that should stock West Systems epoxy materials.

The only part of Eva's instructions I would possibly deviate from is the
painting.  Do you have an airbrush?  Neither do I.  Nor do I have the
patience to mix paints when white is probably the only color you need.  Let
alone buy all the parts needed for the proper mix for what is probably a one
time job.  I'll let you in on a secret.  I did hundreds of repairs on
customer boards with automotive spray paint obtained at Pep Boys.  And yes,
primer is mandantory (also available at Pep Boys.)  It took some practice
but I got good enough that the usual comment from the customer when I
delivered the board was "gee, I can't even see where the damage was."  I
don't remember if your board has color in the nose or not but if it does you
can probably find a color close enough that anyone standing ten feet away
won't know the difference.

Follow all the steps in applying the paint that Eva describes.

Good luck,
Alan

-- How do I know if I buy a fibergalss repair kit if it is Epoxy based?

E.g. At many stores (even Walmart) they sell boat & Carrepair kits.)

I realize I could go to West Marine, but local is easier, if possible

Thanks.
Gregory

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Those Wally World repair kits are almost always Polyester resin kits and
will eat exposed polystyrene cores.
If  it's an epoxy repair kit it will say EPOXY on it.

-Craig

Bear in mind that epoxy resins and epoxy adhesives, even the two part mix
types, are very different animals.  I feel confident in saying there is no
way you will find appropriate materials at WalMart, K-Mart or any other
general retailer.  Marine hardware stores should have what you need.

http://www.westsystem.com/

And yes, by the time you have the westsystem epoxy and the mini-pump you
will have about $50 invested in resin, hardner and pump.  It's worth it.
And realize epoxy must be mixed in exactly the proportion set forth by the
manufacturer.  And go with the slow hardner.  It takes a full day to become
sandable but it's lots easier to work with.

Alan

You actually do not need to remove all the outer ABS to make the epoxy
stick. I have a recipe for an etching solution (from Ciba Geigy,
manufacturers of Araldite resins) that will help. The chemicals used are not
*** ***, but inlcudes sulfuric acid and others.
Gregory, do you have a chemist you know who could sell you small quantities
of chemicals? If so I'll post the recipe

Hello from Minnesota,

I have invited the Board Lady to give a board repair clinic at our
Regatta in Worthington, Minnesota on June 9-11 2006.  She has
tentatively agreed to this.

We have been working on a really good Regatta this year.

Maybe you would like to visit with her personally!

Craig Bergh
Worthington Windsurfing Regatta
Midwest Speed Quest
Worthington, MN 56187

www.worthingtonwindsurfing.com
www.midwestspeedquest.com

_______________

=----

I'm wondering how you talked Eva into leaving S Calif in June.  Whatever,
anyone in the least interested in board repair, or who simply wants to meet
one of the most interesting people in our sport should make a point of being
there.

Alan

Hello Alan,

The board lady was kind enough to talk me through my carbon fiber
repair. I am most pleased with the result, except for my lack of
painting skills.

Minnesota is nice in June. For our 2005 Regatta we had 30 knot winds.
South west Minnesota is really windy. (There are 700 large windmills in
our area).

 Our event is a 3 day Fusion of Windsurfing and a Music Festival. We
seek out unusual and special Musicians.

We have free clinics for the Windsurfers and the Musicians.

We will also be having a Speed Sailing Clinic to be given  an
experienced speed sailor.

We also run the Midwest Speed Quest. We are paying $1000 to the fastest
Windsurfer on Lake Okabena anytime between March and October. YOU
decide when you want to race (watch the weather forecasts on the speed
quest web site).For the next 6 months you can come anytime 7 days a
week. We will meet you on the beach with a GPS unit and a volunteer.
You may race as long as you like. It is completely free, and there are
no fees. We wanted to promote the Sport of Windsurfing. (We thought the
$1000 First Prize and no fees would help).

The board lady was kind enough to accept our invitation. We look
forward to seeing her.

The clinics are free. Our registration will be under $50 for the 3 day
event. This includes meals, T shirt, and race registration. We will
also be running the speed quest at the same time. There will be a lot
to do. And the musicians play on a Beach Side Stage all during the 3
days. It is cool to have live music while you are on the water.

We invite interested sailors to attend. Our Regatta will be June
9-10-11, 2006.

If you are interested in a DVD of our 2005 Events, we have it available
in exchange for a free-will contribution. Go to the speed quest web
site for more info.

Thanks everyone.

Craig Bergh
Midwest Speed Quest
Worthington Windsurfing Regatta
133 Lake Avenue
Worthington, MN 56187

www.midwestspeedquest.com
www.worthingtonwindsurfing.com