I have had my Surftech Balboa 11'6" for a few years now and have been very happy with it as a general purpose board. Living 400 metres from the bay it gets regular use, mostly flat water with a bit of surf. It has not had overly major dings but one, the result of a ladder falling on it, cracked the gel coat and was repaired with UV set epoxy with fibres.It gets racked in a purpose built rack outside but under cover and in a relatively shady location.

It has developed hair line cracks in one rail the full length of the deck pad. This is the rail that is uppermost when the board is racked. The other rail is free of such cracks.

The board does get regularly strapped to a trolley and to ladder racks but I don't think that compression is a factor as it has never been stressed along the rail in question.

Are these cracks a cause for concern?
What is causing them?
What remedial action should be taken?The Surftec guys I got it from (PSUP) have moved overseas and the team that took over the business switched to Jacks Boards and I have no relationship with them otherwise I would approach them for comment.www.the-house.com/portal/2013-surftech-balboa-sup-review/