I have an issue with footstrap screws working their way out of their holes. I have tried stuffing matchsticks into the hole and tightening. This seems to work for a while, but eventually the wood seems to soften and give up.
Before I try to source oversize screws, has anyone a suggestion for an alternate solution? I was thinking of maybe plumbers tape applied to the threads, a denser wood, or possibly liquid nails into the hole.
Tips? Thanks.
I haven't tried it , but someone suggested whipper sniper chord . I have no idea if it works and accept no responsibility. Sounds like a good idea and worth a try . It would have to be better than a matchstick. Plumbers tape would be bad because it's Teflon which is a super slippery plastic . Threadlocker or liquid nails , which I am a fan of ,or any of that kind of stuff won't work because nothing sticks to the kind of plastic strap plugs are made of . If your needing a matchstick or something like that , it means your hole is flogged out and really need to go up a size . It's a fix on the beach kind of thing .
I just use the next size up stainless wood screws , they still fit in the recess of those plastic foot strap plates . You may have to slightly increase the hole size in the plug and the clearance hole in the strap plates . I do this with all my boards and never have a problem . Why they don't just come with bigger screws to start with is a matter of 30 gms or so .
Plastic screws have a wider thread pitch which is stronger in plastic , however because of this the thread is on more of an angle making it easier to unscrew itself as the strap twists back and forth . Some boards have those anti twist plastic washers with a lug that goes in the next hole . That stops the strap twisting and unscrewing the screw .
Twin plugs are ace .
#1 I'm assuming you have done this (unless you have starboard)
Stick a drop or two of araldite, or epoxy resin in it. Just a little, then screw the screw in....
I had same issue with brand new Goya. Turned out that plastic anti-twist washer they used with 2021 models are just crap.
So if your washers look like this (www.unifiber.net/windsurf-gear/spare-parts/footstrap-spare-parts/cobra-plastic-anti-twist-washer-m6-set-5825d1b6362e6615c44ecfcb) switch to metal jaw at top (www.tustablas.com/en/windsurf/accessories/footstraps-pads-goya-jaw-footstrap-screw-p-3345.html) and anti-twist washer at bottom (www.tustablas.com/en/windsurf/accessories/footstraps-pads-goya-anti-twist-washer-footstrap-p-3692.html).
That might just do the trick without any extra hassle.
Select to expand quotekalak said..
So if your washers look like this (www.unifiber.net/windsurf-gear/spare-parts/footstrap-spare-parts/cobra-plastic-anti-twist-washer-m6-set-5825d1b6362e6615c44ecfcb)
These ones will work great to reverse and use as in the video linked just above.
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..
. . . suggested whipper sniper chord .. . .
Thanks, all, for the advice. I put a short piece of whipper snipper cord in each screw hole, and it seems to be nice and snug now. 
