Ski repair

[bxroads]

As I’ve stated before, I’m a greenhorn, its all new to me.  I’ve a Senate C that I picked up used several months ago.  When I got it there were no significant blemishes.  Several weeks ago I noticed stress marks on the top about 3†from the tip.  The stress marks radiated from a circular pattern.  It appears as if the end of the handle hit the tip in a fall.  It concerned me because there was a “fracture†(for lack of a better term) on the side (edge) in the area where the handle hit the top.  This is more than a stress mark, it is a break in the ski.  Apparently that area is a handle magnet because yesterday I took a fall and now there is identical stress markings as earlier described that quarter the first set.  Now the fracture on the side (edge) is much more severe and nearly  3†long extending to the bottom of the ski. 

 

I’m only assuming the handle is causing the damage as I don’t know what else it could be.  Is there a way to prevent it other than not falling?

 

How should I go about patching up the ski?  Does it sound normal to have such a major crack as a result of a handle lick?

 

Thanks

[Horton]

Take a photo and emial it to "Eddie Roberts" eddieskiroberts@hotmail.com>

Eddie is the only person I would trust on something like this.

You may need a new ski :- (

The 2011 Senate is a better ski :- )

[bxroads]

Would love to try the 2011 Senate C and HO Co X SL

[bxroads]

I'll send Eddie the pics but thought I'd post here too.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/5039979873_2e2d8f9685_b.jpg

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5040600544_45acfc5dfb_b.jpg

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5039979963_3b8904218a_b.jpg

[MattP]

That looks pretty bad for it to be just a handle ding. I assume your handle had end caps on it because those marks look almost scored into the ski. Most of the dings I have seen just chip a little off the ski.

[bxroads]

The handle does have caps and I agree, it looks bad to be a handle ding.  The damage keeps growing and I don't know what else it could me.

[gates n 1]

Bxroads.....it could be that this ski, though not that old, is history. If the fractures continue to grow as you've stated, it almost certainly indicates the ski was exposed to sunlight and heat for extended periods of time, thus "cooking" the materials the ski is made from. GET RID OF IT !!! It is not worth risking injury over.

[eleeski]

If you can weasel a new ski out of Eddie, great. Offer him some money for an upgrade, even better.

That part of the ski as I saw it (way out on the tip up) is not heavily loaded. At the most critical time during the pull across the wakes it probably has no load at all. If it will break, it will break in the turn. Lots of damaged ankles in a fall at the buoy so that fall is not risk free. But those falls are very common and normally do not hurt you. So if the ski breaks then your odds of avoiding injury are pretty good. Without seeing the ski in person my evaluation could be wrong. You must personally decide if the ski is too damaged to use.

That ski should outlast your scheduled time on that ski. Eventually you will want to switch to the Strada or some other ski as your skills improve. Maybe you'll learn to pop the handle without hitting the ski too!

Eric

[eddie_roberts_jr]

That's a handle ding for sure. It would've been a loud one too. It's not going to break on you up in that area. You could Dremel a little of the jagged stuff away and goop some 5 mi. 2 part epoxy on the fractured area to seal it up or send it to us and we'll do it and send it back to you N/C. It'll never be pretty again but it won't affect the way it skis.

[Boody]

I have had the experience of making several similar repairs to my ski this year.  Do just what Eddie Roberts said, it will ski fine.  You probably don't want water getting in there, so do it sooner rather than later. 

[Dirt]

I dont think you will need to jump up to a strada anytime soon. That is a great ski even into shortline.

[ForrestGump]

Get another handle!!!

Drill a small hole through the bottom layer of the ski at the end of that fracture on the bottom. That will stop it from spreading farther.  Take a small dremel/zip wheel and open that fracture so you can get epoxy down in there. MarineTex makes an epoxy that flows that's perfect for this.  Do the same on the top edge. You can get a big c clamp and a couple shims and clamp the sides in since it appears the side edge has been pushed out a bit.  Let that dry overnight. You can then use a quick set epoxy to level the top, top edge, and bottom of ski. Sand it flush. You'd be surprised how well you can match paint if you really try.  Also, Radar makes a nice big sticker that's really good for covering booboos. :)

 

 

[bxroads]

I've been looking for a reason to buy another ski.  A spare in a situation like this sounds like enough reason.........

[MattP]

you can always get a skin to cover your entire ski from http://www.skiskinz.com/ you can get any picture or design.

[bxroads]

I sorta like the idea of the ski looking like I've been to work, so I'm ok with the cosmetics of a patch.  But thanks for the tip!

 Clint