Surfboard Warranty

FCD headquarters (not retail locations) has the discretion to either repair or replace a defective FCD surfboard that meets our policy, which we update from time to time. Please download the following form for making a warranty claim.

Care and feelings of an FCD Surfboard

Epoxy/extruded polystyrene boards need the same care and attention you would give any other board. The sun and heat damage all surfboards. To protect your board, keep it in a reflective board bag (don’t use a board sock, it makes the board hotter than using nothing). If it’s too hot in your car for a dog, it’s too hot for your board. Bottom line: Keep your board protected from exposure to sun and heat.

Extruded polystyrene will absorb 73% less water than normal surfboard foam. This makes minor dings less of an immediate problem, but they should still be repaired as soon as possible to maintain structural integrity. A board with a major ding should be removed from the water and fixed immediately, just as you would any type of surfboard.

Any board will pressure ding, particularly shortboards with super-light glassing. We try to anticipate high-impact areas and beef them up with extra glass, but sometimes gravity wins.

Exposure to heat and sunlight degrades all surfboards over time and must be avoided. We use a resin that has a UV inhibitor and UV stabilisers, however it still yellows if left in the sun.

Fixing Dings

A local glass shop can do repairs, just remind them to use epoxy resin. Do not attempt to repair the board with polyester resin; the styrene in the resin will dissolve the extruded polystyrene foam. Epoxy ding-repair kits are available from shops that carry our boards. Clean-up can be done with alcohol. It does not require acetone.

Before you attempt a major ding repair, make sure the foam is absolutely dry. Do your repair in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When you mix your resin and hardener, don’t try to eyeball the amounts. You must be exact; use an accurate measuring device. A stir stick with depth notches on it works well. Adding more hardener will not make the resin go off sooner; in fact, it may not harden at all.

A second coat of resin should be applied before the first coat is completely hardened for maximum bond. If more than 24 hours pass before you apply a second coat, sand the area, then clean it with alcohol before applying the next layer of resin.

Quick repairs are best done with stickers, waterproof tape or epoxy glue (including 5-minute epoxy, epoxy sticks and epoxy Solarez®). These glues will turn yellow or brown, so you should eventually do a proper repair with epoxy resin.

Solarez® is a registered trademark of Wahoo International.

Surboard satisfaction and care

Fletcher Chouinard Designs® surfboards are of superior quality, and are tried and proven shapes. You can be confident that your FCD surfboard will be strong and well constructed. If it isn’t, we may repair it, replace it, or refund your money, whichever we decide once we see your board. However, we can’t be responsible for boards that are abused, like being left in a hot car, dropped, road damaged, stored in the blazing sun or thrashed on the rocks or pier pilings. Furthermore, we can’t be responsible for problems resulting from normal wear and tear – those dings, dents and delamination from unrepaired cracks are inevitable. We also cannot tell you your board won’t break: All boards break under the right conditions.

If you have a problem with your board, tell us what is wrong and we’ll figure out how it should be handled. It may be a repair, it may be a replacement, it may be a refund, or it may be your responsibility.

We pride ourselves on our workmanship and stand behind our boards. However, taking care of your board is ultimately your responsibility and we’re not responsible for the problems below.

  • Damage when using a dark board bag.
  • Damage from the freeway, in an airplane or in transport.
  • Repairs done by an unauthorised repair shop.
  • Fin losses in or out of the water.
  • Broken/buckled boards will be repaired (not replaced).
  • Lost, stolen or intentionally damaged boards.
  • Natural discoloration when exposed to sunlight.
  • Damage or loss to a third party.
  • Any physical injury caused by surfboards.
  • Damage from commercial, rental, demo and instructional programs.
  • Boards with unrepaired dings or holes stored in damp conditions.

WARRANTY DISCLAIMER

We do not warrant that the surfboard you purchase will meet your personal expectations, requirements or sustainability. We exclude and expressly disclaim all express and implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Our liability to you for any damage should be limited to direct damages and shall not exceed the amount you originally paid for the surfboard.

Background Photo: by Scott Winer. Kohl Christensen locks into another one in a seemingly endless week of A-plus surf in Fiji.