help! fixing delaminated OR mako

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

I need some advice on an economical way to repair my completely delaminated board? Riding last weekend the board suddenly felt really flexible and wouldn't hold an edge. i kicked it off and saw the bottom of the board was completely missing. I dragged in and my friend who saw what had happened picked up the bottom laminate which was still floating and brought that in.
So how to get the two halves back together? I'll need to fill in the missing foam and fabricate a spacer along the rails where it is missing. Epoxy plus micro balloons and a thin wood strip for the rail? I'm reluctant to shell out $$'s to a board repairer because i'm not sure if a repair will hold up. Is it possible to restore the integrity of a cracked foam core? My other Mako partially delaminated last summer and i epoxied it back together but i don't have much confidence in these foam cores once they crack. I really like the original narrow Mako for riding in the gorge but all the used ones i checked out felt like they had core cracks when i flexed them even though they weren't yet delaminated.
Repair ideas????

Sol-flyer · Thu Apr 07, 11 12:18 pm

Sorry to tell ya but that thing looks toast. Delamanation is one thing, what you have there is a shattered core. Even if it was puzzle peiced back together and fiberglassed over the structural integrity is shot.

One thing about foam core's is once they get wet, they begin to break down...mold and whatever else gets in there and its only a matter of time. Woods lasts a little longer.

Just my Opinion of course, Good luck

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Dude,

There's tons of people that know way more than I do, but I would just scrap that board. It would suck to spend time and money and have it split apart again. I made a fiberglass skim as a winter project. It was a lot of work and money for materials. First hot day in my trunk, it delammed. I then spent a bunch of time fixing it. It lasted longer the second time but it ended up delamming in a different place. Now I wish I would have just bought a skim.

Andy

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

One end (10”)of my glide delaminated because I did not repair some damage and hydraulic pressure opened it up. I still had all of the foam in place on one side or the other. I used a rocker table to make sure I maintained the factory shape. Then I applied Gorilla glue, clamped the heck out of it. After the glue cured I repaired some fiberglass damage and painted it. It seems to be good as new.

If I could not afford a new/used board, I think would better off finding a 2nd job for a couple of days rather than spending my time trying to make that board work again like it is supposed to. I think the odds of success are relatively low. If you are a bit patient you can find a good deal on the forums.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

you killed that board.
My opinion would be to look for a new or slightly used board.
You will save time, money and grief if you get another board.
keep your pads, straps and fins.
maybe you can find a good deal on just a deck instead of a whole new board.
take the two sections now and make a cool bench for your deck.
if anything it will be a good conversation piece.

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

what the hell??? warranty that shit

Bettyboarder · Thu Apr 07, 11 5:35 pm

New board time for sure

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

post that beauty in the Craigslist "FREE" section;

two big pieces of fiberglass and a few handfulls of crunchy foam. will leave by curb.

your pile of scraps will be gone in 10 minutes

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

It might be fun to try fixing it as a project, but with the shattered and in places missing core, I think it's time to retire your ride.

Eric

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

Slap some duct tape on it and keep going big.

argos · Since 07 Apr 2010 66 Posts

Any decisions on fixing or forgetting?

Any chance of pulling a template off of it?

Suds · Since 25 Mar 2008 143 Posts Hood River Stoked

That board is toast for sure. check out Big Winds for a new board we have brand new 2010 Cabrinha Customs complete for only $299.00 Just thought I would throw that out there.