Sport Today

> I've got a waveski on order.

> Maker says they use a higher-density styrofoam that doesn't need a vent plug.

> My reaction is that I'd rather not find out if they're right or not on a hot
> summer day when I forget and leave the thing in my vehicle... or if/when I
> airship it somewhere..... So I'm planning on installing one myself after I get
> the board.

> Doesn't look like rocket science to me:  open up a hole, stuff the thing in with
> epoxy and a little cloth around it, trim excess and sand - making sure that the
> epoxy hasn't wept into the hole at the bottom of the plug and blocked the air
> passage.

> Is there anything else I should know?

> Or should I just lean on the waveski maker to put one in anyhow?
> --
> PeteCresswell

> I'd not add the fiberglass, and I'd probably use to J-B Weld Epoxy.
> It sets up quick, is readily available, is usally fresh on vendors
> shelves, and is easy to control so you don't make a mess on surfaces
> adjacent to the vent plug.

>Set in expoxy mixed with Q-cell or microballoons. Add enough filler to make
>it about the consistency of yoghurt. Glass over with 2 x 4oz cloth and
>epoxy.  Obviously you would have roughed up the area the glass is to cover
>and ground out a bit so you can blend the glass job in nicely.

> I've got a waveski on order.

> Maker says they use a higher-density styrofoam that doesn't need a vent
> plug.

> My reaction is that I'd rather not find out if they're right or not on a
> hot
> summer day when I forget and leave the thing in my vehicle... or if/when I
> airship it somewhere..... So I'm planning on installing one myself after I
> get
> the board.

> Doesn't look like rocket science to me:  open up a hole, stuff the thing
> in with
> epoxy and a little cloth around it, trim excess and sand - making sure
> that the
> epoxy hasn't wept into the hole at the bottom of the plug and blocked the
> air
> passage.

> Is there anything else I should know?

> Or should I just lean on the waveski maker to put one in anyhow?
> --
> PeteCresswell

> Per Tsunami:
>>Set in expoxy mixed with Q-cell or microballoons. Add enough filler to
>>make
>>it about the consistency of yoghurt. Glass over with 2 x 4oz cloth and
>>epoxy.  Obviously you would have roughed up the area the glass is to cover
>>and ground out a bit so you can blend the glass job in nicely.

> So: the vent assembly would be inset a little and the 2 x 4oz cloth would
> then
> go over the assembly - hole and all... only tb trimmed to open up the hole
> after
> the resin has started to gel?
> --
> PeteCresswell

> My suggested solution was based on using a  protruding model R62-5119
> plug from Fiberglass Supply.  http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/
> Product_Catalog/SurfSailcom/surfsailcom.html    There is no real
> stress on the vent plug so it doesn't need to be fully recessed,
> glassed-in, color matched with Imron, then clearcoated and deck
> dusted. Just locate it where it won't get whacked by something. If you
> have West System epoxy and microballoons then go for it, but if you're
> buying epoxy for this task it doesn't make sense to buy a quart of
> West System, Hardner, and microballoons to put in a vent plug. J-B
> Weld is a perfectly acceptable solution for the plug model I've
> indicated and the peanut butter consistency is easy to control. It is
> a good idea to roughen up the bonding surface of the vent plug with
> sand paper before setting it in epoxy to increase the bond strength.

> Sounds like you'd void your warranty.
> bs

> > My suggested solution was based on using a  protruding model R62-5119
> > plug from Fiberglass Supply.  http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/
> > Product_Catalog/SurfSailcom/surfsailcom.html    There is no real
> > stress on the vent plug so it doesn't need to be fully recessed,
> > glassed-in, color matched with Imron, then clearcoated and deck
> > dusted. Just locate it where it won't get whacked by something. If you
> > have West System epoxy and microballoons then go for it, but if you're
> > buying epoxy for this task it doesn't make sense to buy a quart of
> > West System, Hardner, and microballoons to put in a vent plug. J-B
> > Weld is a perfectly acceptable solution for the plug model I've
> > indicated and the peanut butter consistency is easy to control. It is
> > a good idea to roughen up the bonding surface of the vent plug with
> > sand paper before setting it in epoxy to increase the bond strength.Sorry no insult intended. Just that it could depreciate the board / ski a
> lot if it looks shoddy. Not knowing the guy's skills etc I thought maybe I'd
> tell him the right way first and then "but if you have limited funds /
> access to a friend with repair gear for WS boards, then JB Weld..."

> Anyone who sails in more than 8kn should have the smallest (half quart?)
> west system and some glass all the time, now we have widestyles  ;-)

> If you
> have West System epoxy and microballoons then go for it, but if you're
> buying epoxy for this task it doesn't make sense to buy a quart of
> West System, Hardner, and microballoons to put in a vent plug.

> Sounds like you'd void your warranty.

> > I've got a waveski on order.

> > Maker says they use a higher-density styrofoam that doesn't need a vent
> > plug.

> > My reaction is that I'd rather not find out if they're right or not on a
> > hot
> > summer day when I forget and leave the thing in my vehicle... or if/when I
> > airship it somewhere..... So I'm planning on installing one myself after I
> > get
> > the board.

> > Doesn't look like rocket science to me:  open up a hole, stuff the thing
> > in with
> > epoxy and a little cloth around it, trim excess and sand - making sure
> > that the
> > epoxy hasn't wept into the hole at the bottom of the plug and blocked the
> > air
> > passage.

> > Is there anything else I should know?

> > Or should I just lean on the waveski maker to put one in anyhow?
> > --
> > PeteCresswell- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

>If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  If the vendor says it
>doesn't need it, why do it?  Why put another potential leak in the
>board.  And if you do have a problem down the road, now you have to
>explain this vent plug.  I would at least hold off on it until the
>warranty period runs out.  

> I've got a waveski on order.

> Maker says they use a higher-density styrofoam that doesn't need a vent plug.

> My reaction is that I'd rather not find out if they're right or not on a hot
> summer day when I forget and leave the thing in my vehicle... or if/when I
> airship it somewhere..... So I'm planning on installing one myself after I get
> the board.

> Doesn't look like rocket science to me:  open up a hole, stuff the thing in with
> epoxy and a little cloth around it, trim excess and sand - making sure that the
> epoxy hasn't wept into the hole at the bottom of the plug and blocked the air
> passage.

> Is there anything else I should know?

> Or should I just lean on the waveski maker to put one in anyhow?
> --
> PeteCresswell