I have just got a 6'4" Airush Converse - had it out once and it was great - much more comfortable riding a bigger board closer to what I would ride without a kite - than a smaller board thats for sure.
I have a question about the use of self tappers - this board was supplied with self tappers for the foot straps - I was expecting threaded inserts - has anyone had issues with these over the longer term?
I would expect to have to tighten them every few surfs and expect over time they are going to wear loose - I hope this isnt the case but would expect so.
Thanks in advance
Lance
I never really liked the Idea of self tappers either.
Although sailboards all seem to have them and without any issues.and there are a lot of really old sailboards around so they should know.
From my experience if you do happen to strip one out you can allways re tap it with a larger screw.This seems to work well.The inserts are normally quite solid blocks of plastic, so you can just screw a larger screw in and you will have tight fit again.
Best thing is not to take the foot straps on and off all the time.
So dont go sharering ya board around with your goofy footed mates! (This is how some inserts on a board of mine started to go)
They should not work loose though unless you have been taking your straps on and off all the time.
Sheil be right
Enjoy your new board!
regards
Luke
Alternatively get some plumbers tape and wrap that around your screws before you screw them in.
I use this stuff the name of which i cant remember right now. Its a red liquid that you squirt into the inserts you then screw in the bolt and the red liquid hardens making it impossible for the screw to come undone unless you use a screw driver.
I did my Twinnie with this 3 years ago and they still hold fast.
When i get home i will post the name of this red wonder fluid.
Ive had every board made with the plastic inserts and use self tappers,they are better than threaded inserts because they dont cross thread and if you do them up tight to start with and use a good washer they dont move, i take my straps off to go strapless or move to another board often with no problems, but as luke said you can always go to a larger screw, but rarely necessary,unlike the threaded type when you cross thread them thats it you cant use that insert successfully again
I guess thats why all the sailboards use self tappers. smart buggers those guy's.
Thats true michel about wrecking solid inserts once there gone there gone. I had a customer who stripped a brass insert on a new board and it was expensive and made a mess of his new board when replaced.
The more I think about it the more I lean to to favour the plastic inserts.
Cheers
Luke
Hi Lankenny,
The original Converse came out with threaded inserts but they were constantly coming loose. They then tried threaded inserts with thumbscrews so you didn't need a screwdriver and have changed to self tappers. I have not had to retighten the self tappers since I put them in and I have taken the straps on and off the board once or twice. I don't think it's an issue but I wouldn't remove them two times a day every day just to make sure you don't wear or start cutting more than one helix into the glass.
The Converse are sick boards. I had a ride in nice head high right hand surf at Cott and the 6'4" was wicked. That last 40 knot day I was out on the 6' Converse and that was awesome too. They are such nice riding boards.
Enjoy,
Guy's
For repairing metallic threaded inserts in most boards follow the link to an example of thread repair equipment. These can be bought in kit form from CBC, Blackwoods etc and are effective and easy to use
www.powercoil.com.au/
Cheers
has a solid few hours today in smooth conditions and fun waves - have to say the converse rocks - what a great board!!!
wish I had of gone straight to the surfboard instead of my sidestep to the mutant - makes surfing waves with a kite very very sweet :)
