They are generic, as far as I have found. When I have stripped the head of a few, I have found a 1mm cutting disc in a grinder a great way to be able to cut a slot for a flat blade screwdriver, so you can use them again.

Is this stuffed? I take it isn't supposed to look like that..

It's probably still a good idea to replace it. Once the screw starts looking like that there is a fair chance the o ring is perished and hard and you won't get a good seal. If you have trouble getting a hold of one you can get them mail order here:

http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/showProduct/Windsurfing/Bits+and+Pieces/346553/Surf+Sail+Australia+Chromed+Brass+Vent+Screw

$14 each + a few bucks delivery. I see they have some cheaper plastic and alloy ones as well.

The thread is ground away on one side so that it definitely isn't air tight when you loosen it.
Some plugs have a narrow channel through the thread instead of the flat section. If it's a perfect tight fitting thread there's a good chance it will still be air tight even though you've loosened it.

decrepit said...
The thread is ground away on one side so that it definitely isn't air tight when you loosen it.
Some plugs have a narrow channel through the thread instead of the flat section. If it's a perfect tight fitting thread there's a good chance it will still be air tight even though you've loosened it.

The vent screws in the Tabou Rockets do have a flat machined on one side of the thread but haven't seen any other brands with this type of screw (I've got the same in my Rocket 95). Obviously designed to allow to air inside the board to vent just by loosening the screw without having to take it out every time with the risk of forgetting where you put it (happened to me!).

I couldn't find any with the flat on the thread and almost brought some as mentioned from Surf Sail Aust but didn't want to pay $14ea + freight, however I did find some good secondhand ones at 2nd Wind Perth for $5ea. Maybe try a local shop or board repairer if you need spares, or give Paul at 2nd Wind a call.

GazMan said...

decrepit said...
The thread is ground away on one side so that it definitely isn't air tight when you loosen it.
Some plugs have a narrow channel through the thread instead of the flat section. If it's a perfect tight fitting thread there's a good chance it will still be air tight even though you've loosened it.

The vent screws in the Tabou Rockets do have a flat machined on one side of the thread but haven't seen any other brands with this type of screw (I've got the same in my Rocket 95). Obviously designed to allow to air inside the board to vent just by loosening the screw without having to take it out every time with the risk of forgetting where you put it (happened to me!).

I couldn't find any with the flat on the thread and almost brought some as mentioned from Surf Sail Aust but didn't want to pay $14ea + freight, however I did find some good secondhand ones at 2nd Wind Perth for $5ea. Maybe try a local shop or board repairer if you need spares, or give Paul at 2nd Wind a call.

I'm pretty sure all the starboard boards I have had both had the washer with the flat.

If you do buy a second hand vent screw, you should at least buy new the rubber o ring. I have found they get hard and brittle and are prone to breaking.

I would get a plastic plug if the insert on the board is plastic, as a plumber I've seen some disasters where male metal threads go into plastic female, the metal threads can easily strip out the plastic if crossthreaded and if overtightned the metal plug will easily split the plastic although that is unlikely here because the plug threads do not appear to be tapered.

FormulaNova said...

Beaglebuddy said...
I would get a plastic plug if the insert on the board is plastic, as a plumber I've seen some disasters where male metal threads go into plastic female, the metal threads can easily strip out the plastic if crossthreaded and if overtightned the metal plug will easily split the plastic although that is unlikely here because the plug threads do not appear to be tapered.

I think that's where the importance of the o-ring comes into it. You don't need to screw the plug in hard, as you are meant to be just seating the o-ring.

I would just buy new o-rings and also make sure not to over-tighten the vent screws.

I suppose that the shops will have o rings? I would have thought it would be easier for them just to stock the plugs..Or you just go to a hardware store and buy one the right diameter?
I went into the local shop and they had vent plugs for the SUPs..I hadn't bothered to take mine out of the board to compare as I didn't think they would have any. They didn't have the flat side. I've emailed gybesports to see if they have them..Wouldn't mind another rocket 115 if I won lotto too..

Diving shops have o rings .. got about 10 the other day for $1 . Just take in your vent plug so they can size it

^^^ yes I got them loose at Bunnings for next to nothing

Some time ago I lost the vent plug for my Starboard 159. I went to Boardcrazy but they didn't have any at the time. I decided that if i could find a bolt the correct thread size then I could make my own. I do a lot of motorcycle restoration so I went through my stash of spare bolts until I found one, in stainless steel. It turns out it is a common metric size 10M1.5. 10M=diam 1.5= thread pitch. I buy nuts and bolts in bulk from a fastener supply shop (Specialised Wholesale & Plastics in Lambton) to keep cost down and I use a lot.

After reading the above posts I realised that i didn't have a spare plug so I went out to the garage and made another, it took about 10 minutes.
Three easy steps.
1. Grind the corners off the head using bench grinder.
2. Put bolt in bench drill and smooth off the ground down head with a file then wet/dry sandpaper 'till nice and smooth (and fits in the vent hole recess).
3. Using hacksaw cut a slot in head for screwdriver.
4. File one side of the thread flat (as mentioned in above posts).
As the bolt I used was longer than required I cut it to length with a hacksaw
I also have plenty of O rings of various sizes which I bought from Aldi. They come in handy, gas bottles, hose fittings etc.





TIP. Use a dab silicone oil, or Vaseline, on O ring to stop it binding and DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.