Rider: 80kg, Level intermediate
Style: Freestyle
Weather: 12 to 25 knots
Build Quality: 4/10
Satisfaction: 7/10
Disclosure: Totally Independent
I have a North Select 132cm ($1,300 worth) puchased Nov 09, so 2 years old. The current model 2012 is the same build. On one end, the board is cracking around the fin holes, toe side and heel side. 
The worst cracks are on the heel side inner screw, cracks are about 1cm long on bothsides of the screw running across the board, so in the flex direction (not load direction).
The shop told me that North do not want to know about it and I should not waste there time as out of warrantee. Nice!
My questions - Does anyone else have or had this problem? Did the manufacturer fix it?
I am trying to gauge whether this is a common problem or just my board. I have been kiting for 7 years, this is my 3rd new board and the only one with an issue. I look forward to some feedback.
Hi Adrian,
Really hard to tell exactly what the problem is from that photo, but it looks as though the top layer of resin has cracked away from the carbon fibre strands. I think (and I may be wrong) that it is only a surface crack and shouldn't go any further than that.
Most likely fatigue from years of riding and potentially over tightening the screws or running the board into an object which may shock load the fin ??? Just thoughts.
I'd keep and eye on it, and if it were mine, I't put a little smear of resin in the countersink of the hole with the screws out, just for good measure to potentially keep water out. (not that carbon absorbs water in any case).
DM
Hi DM, thanks for the reply. The board is relatively new, so it should not be a fatigue problem. I had to push the local shop to talk with North, I was meant to hear back last Monday. The question is, will North address it or will I be waiting forever?? I get the feeling they don't give a ####.
If North don't come to the party I will look at repairing as you said. I am annoyed by this as I buy expensive gear so I don't have these problems. With the attitude of the retailer/North response, I am questioning if North is a good brand.
I would like to know if anyone has had North come to the party for repairs.
had exactly that prob on exactly that board.
north replaced the board gratis.
alarming as it seemed at first, it's not structural - or at least it wasn't in my case.
not a good look on their top board, but - and not taking anything away from the board - its super-light build means it's not the most durable board out there. esp around the edges.
Hi Adrian,
I have had nothing but excellent support from North for any warranty issues. They have actually gone above and beyond on many occasions with replacement boards.
Haven't had a North kite warranty yet apart from a bladder which was replaced straight away.
Had a few issues with North harnesses a few years back with a known issue and they were replaced straight away.
All good,
DM
I'm still bitter and twisted about North's response when every strut bladder on every Vegas and Rhino failed on their ill-fated two pump system back in 2007.
Hi, Yeah my brother and I both had the 2011 North select boards, very good/light boards but WEAK. His board split completely by one of the fins to the edge by just running up the beach and catch the fin in the sand. North were awful witha warranty claim, come up with every excuse. After this I sold my board straight away as i didnt want the same problem. He is now on the hadlow board and I am on the la luz and both are much tougher than the select and more fun...
Hi RPM, Yes I bought the board new, still have the receipt, shop even complained to ME now faded it was, which I fine amusing as they printed it!
Instead of epoxy into fin screw rebate, try a clear silicone non acidic will do the trick, plus removal of screws in the future, will be easy,
After 1 year my 2010 135 select cracked like that but a lot bigger,The north dealer gave me a 2011 board with no problems,Now just under 1 year the 2011 board did the same thing and the dealer has given me a 2012 board with no problems fingers crossed this one is a bit stronger as I dont think i will get a forth one.
My crack is growing (on my board), I was thinking (the same as cauncy)silicon if it didn't, it's going to need something strong. I don't want to touch it until North reply, I have chased the shop (Northern Beaches Sydney) and they say no reply.
And yes cRAZY Canuk, I'm amazed to they have not dealt with it, never alone replaced it, and even more amazed at the speed they are dealing with it, 2 months now. I expect they are hoping I will just go away! Sorry, fat chance of that.
I am starting to think this is a common problem with this board, sounds like a design fault to me.
[b]The test of a good company is how they handle things when things go wrong
Hi Adrian,
Welcome to the forums. 
Really sorry, but over the years, we've had many guys start posting, and their first post is about a "challenge" they're having getting warrant on their gear.
As a result, we've developed a policy; nothing personal, and hope you can continue to post & enjoy the forums for other reasons! 
From the forum policy:
Complaints about a business/associations
When this occurs, the poster is usually quite fired up and emotional. Often the customer is now out to cause as much damage as possible to the business with the mission that they are "fully justified" (their words) and "simply stating facts" (their words) about the business/association.
This may be the case .. or not. There are many sides to any story. The point is that the Seabreeze forums are not the appropriate place to resolve the issue. Please return to the business, or go to the government authority and do it there.
Choose not to, and end up in hot water. As soon as you flame a business, you'll usually get supporters of the business come out in defence and question your behaviour and motives. People interested in the discussion will seek more information from you. It soon descends into an argument containing many and varied versions of the truth and everybody goes home unhappy.
It has never ended well for anybody.
The business is damaged, the poster now has a stigma in the forum community (and now can't deal with many shops because the shops know what will happen if they cross this customer - there business will get dragged through the mud.)
And of course, there's also the situation when the poster does not really have a complaint, but is simply a competitor or naive associate of a business who thinks the way to get more business is to degrade the competition.
Many Thanks
Laurie
Topic locked.
