Help! My Surfboard is About to Drown

Discussion in 'All Discussions' started by The Lonesome Tractor, May 13, 2015.

  1. The Lonesome Tractor

    The Lonesome Tractor Well-Known Member

    557
    Feb 13, 2012
    Hello Friends.

    I am currently 25 and I have been riding the same 5'10 fish (Starfish actually - Hank Warner Custom Shapes) since I was 16 or so. Shes got bumps and bruises but most of all shes got a big ol' air pocket under the first 2 feet of the board (measuring from the tail towards the nose). Lazy, and lack of sun-cure has made it so this air pocket fills easily with water and after a 3 hour session making this board about 5 lbs heavier than when I got in the water.

    Does anybody have any tips to repair this board? Ive also got a 6'3 WRV Jesse Fernandez to ride but nothing feels like my fish. I just cant bring myself to retire this board... Hind sight is 20/20.. should have taken better care of her from the get go.
     
  2. ClemsonSurf

    ClemsonSurf Well-Known Member

    Dec 10, 2007
    Post some pics. Gonna have to see the carnage.
     

  3. Zeroevol

    Zeroevol Well-Known Member

    Jun 22, 2009
    def post pics so we can see. Sounds like first thing is getting that water out, you will prob have to cut some glass out
     
  4. Mitchell

    Mitchell Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2009
    It sounds like you've got a big delamination (the glass has separated from the foam) right under your feet. Lack of sun-cure has nothing to do with it. The board is old and falling apart. It can be fixed, but is in a critical part of the board so if it isnt done WELL it wont solve the problem and will just get worse. My guess is won't be able to fix it yourself unless you have experience glassing. Take it to an experienced ding repair person and ask them to give you an estimate on fixing it. If they try to tell you it isnt worth doing, heed their advice.
     
  5. metard

    metard Well-Known Member

    Mar 11, 2014
    that board died along time ago

    funeral pyre is the only dignified thing to do
     
  6. bubs

    bubs Well-Known Member

    Sep 12, 2010
    We need pictures. It probably is fixable but at this point it might be better as a beater board or a wall piece.

    Lets see the pictures.
     
  7. Hawky

    Hawky Well-Known Member

    850
    May 9, 2014
    I see only one solution to this problem...

    i've got a great condition 6'1 erie peeples. $150.
     
  8. aka pumpmaster

    aka pumpmaster Well-Known Member

    Apr 30, 2008
    take it to a shaper and have him copy it for you....
     
  9. capecodcdog

    capecodcdog Well-Known Member

    Jun 22, 2012
  10. Big Wet Monster

    Big Wet Monster Well-Known Member

    938
    Feb 4, 2010
    let her go. Any have a copy made.

    Better yet, buy a Steve lis or a skip Frye fish. They're super cheap and easy to find.
     
  11. frost

    frost Well-Known Member

    Jul 31, 2014
    the air buble is a delam but how is the water gettin in? do you have another crack or hole somewhere??
     
  12. LazyE

    LazyE Well-Known Member

    Aug 6, 2014
    Dude I know how you feel. I had a Natural Art that I surfed into a shattered mess to the point it was leaving fiberglass in my legs and looked as though it had leprosy. I gotta agree with those who say let it go. It's time to let go. Get the dimensions and move on. Maybe try something different shape wise to help ease the loss.
     
  13. kidrock

    kidrock Well-Known Member

    Aug 1, 2010
    This right here is fvcking GOLD. ^^^^

    Seriously: I love the HW Starfish. Many moons ago I was the owner of an original Caster Starfish, so there are some definite blood lines there.

    And, before then, my best bud surfed the piss out of a 5'10" double winged Lis Fish with Geppy keels...and it had the same delam issue that Mitchell nailed on the head. We "fixed" it, but it was never the same. We cut the bubble out and let the foam dry, then re-laminated it. We were better than Joe Roper back then, but it still came up "meh".

    In other words, that board is done son.

    I recommend calling Hank in SD and asking for a "custom" Starfish. He made me a custom quad a few years back for under $500, which is a steal. Just a great guy and a great shaper, he's been in the game since the 70's.
     
  14. frost

    frost Well-Known Member

    Jul 31, 2014
    Let it go, let it go
    And I'll rise like the break of dawn
    Let it go, let it go
    That perfect girl is gone
    Here I stand
    In the light of day
    Let the storm rage on

    Read more: Idina Menzel - Let It Go Lyrics | MetroLyrics
     
  15. Mr.Belmar

    Mr.Belmar Well-Known Member

    Aug 19, 2010
    Answer:

    Craigslist

    New board
     
  16. ClemsonSurf

    ClemsonSurf Well-Known Member

    Dec 10, 2007
    Gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
     
  17. waterbaby

    waterbaby Well-Known Member

    Oct 1, 2012
    I don't recommend you get a copy made. That board is old enough that it may have Clark foam, which is much less buoyant than any of the modern foam brands. A shaper would have to scale down the dimensions so you don't end up with a giant cork (something I wouldn't trust a local shaper to accurately do). Unfortunately, your best bet is to buy a new board in a similar model to what you have, but with smaller dimensions.
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2015
  18. The Lonesome Tractor

    The Lonesome Tractor Well-Known Member

    557
    Feb 13, 2012
    Thanks for all the input fellas. I will post some pictures tonight after work. And Frost, you are correct there are several other holes letting the water get on my insides.
     
  19. frost

    frost Well-Known Member

    Jul 31, 2014
    dude never let water in,,salt water is a board/foam killer...suncure isnt but about 10$ or soa tube cover them up,,heck a girl i know in florida uses duct tape,,temproarily...anythings better than lettin water seep in..she may be done for now...
     
  20. bubs

    bubs Well-Known Member

    Sep 12, 2010
    ^

    He is right.


    No offense.....you need to learn how to take care of your boards.


    Lets see the pictures and find out if she is really done done. At the best she is a beater board now. If you have sentimental attachment thats on you.