Hollow surfboards should be constructed with a proper vent to prevent damage from thermal expansion and contraction. It may be surprising but the air inside a surfboard will expand and contract significantly with changes in temperature. If the surfboard is not vented the air will expand so much that fractures will occur in the structure of the hollow board and water will leak in and damage the board. This quiet damage will occur while the surfboard is sitting in the sun or on the beach or during transporting to the beach for surfing. You may not even be aware that this thermal expansion has caused damage to the hollow wooden surfboard but over time it will be discovered when your wooden surfboard becomes waterlogged.
When building a wooden surfboard one should remember to properly vent your hand crafted board to prevent this damage from occurring. The vent can be simple and still be effective at its task of allowing air to pass in and out of the hollow space inside the surfboard. Some vents are one-way valves that only air to go out and do not allow water to pass into the board. These can be more expensive and can fail eventually. Another more simple method is to insert a screw into the surfboard that passes all the way through the skin and into the hollow area. This screw can have a head that is easy to turn with bare fingers and no tools required. These thumb screw can be removed while the board is not in the water to prevent thermal expansion. When you are building wooden surfboards take the time to install a vent to protect your surfboard from thermal damage.
This article has been viewed 4 time(s).Article Submitted On: January 30, 2011
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