VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

FYI for those interested: Anyone owning an EVO or for that matter perhaps any STARBOARD? (or maybe other brands too) you may wanna check your vent plug. The one in my other STARBOARD is "normal" as in it's a quite large diameter (1/4" with head up to 3/8"?) stainless, large phillips bolt that has the usual O-ring and threads with all threads engaging into the board.

I note that my EVO, which is a bit younger than the other, had a flat-ground face on the vent bolt threads (probably to allow better venting when the bolt is backed out only a little). During my 'winterizing efforts" the other day I removed all plugs from boards, then looked inside the EVO's as I thought I saw some water....sure as hell there was some, so I've been soaking it out with a papertowel plug ever since. I think when the O-ring lets some water pass (sand, rubber decomposed, plug not tight etc. ), the threads of the bolt for the most part keep it out.....in the case of the flatground bolt, it's like a 1/8" channel right into the board. The vent of my EVO must have not been tight after a finbox replacement and let a bit of water in as it was totally dry two sessions prior, whew glad I saw this

I'll be replacing my ventbolt asap and tighten the crap out of it

well you might have known the threads were ground that way if you ever took it out! you should anyway once in a while just to check your o ring is seated on there right. They pack out over time too, last spring i took my plugs to a hydraulic place and got 2 new plump and squishy o rings.

i pull my plug out after every sail just to hear that satisfying hiss. (hopefully!) Then i lock it in the baseplate so i cant forget to stick it back in place. takes me about 10 seconds extra every time i rig but its part of my routine and i like knowing i have no leaks.

downwind dave wrote:well you might have known the threads were ground that way if you ever took it out! you should anyway once in a while just to check your o ring is seated on there right. They pack out over time too

Yeah maybe, but the board's basically brand new

Nah, I don't dick around with the ventplug, I know some keeners pull it out, stick it back in at different temperatures.....it's just a recipe for unneeded expansion/contraction, getting sand or other crap compromising the seal and....packing out the O-ring I'll yank it for flight or mountain ranges but not for da Malahat
Besides, all that extra effort cuts into the sailing time And as far as the "hiss" Can't be a good thing. And I usually know when I got a leak....when I've hit the Kook Reef again or my wife drives over my Protec

maybe if i sailed more id stop fiddling with my O ring

There are vent plugs in the board???
I have replaced the o-rings as well, and a small amount of silicone sealant on the threads will keep them from vibrating out, and yet (with metal plugs) let you back them out if you need to. I have a board that I bought used, and the plug was already "in there" real good (it broke an easy out off in an extraction attempt). It is well sealed and capped with silicone sealant, so leaks are not a worry. I am wondering about altitude and airplanes (not that I have any immed. plans. Should I drill a small hole and fill on arrival, or mine out the "screwed" one and pour/fit an oversize replacement?

Comments from the board builders out there would be most appreciated. The plug that is seized is SS in brass, the board is a Naish Wave Hybrid 85L, bigwind toy.....

I would just leave the old one and epoxy in another vent plug if youre worried. they are cheap and i think would be an easy install.