SurferKris said..
The change in colour turned out nice, what are the added deck pads for?
Thanks SurferKris! The added deck pads were put on to cover the concave deck ridge because the mast was hitting the ridge that ran around the concave deck and denting it, also I stand in that area when slogging and also when tacking, and when taking a break out on the water I sit there, and when using a Guy Cribb "easy beach start" to get on the board I put my hands and knees on those pads. In addition, if I do not have enough speed to get around on a planing gybe (using a foil) with my front foot in the strap, I will move my front foot in front of the strap onto the pad before switching my stance (think that is how windsurfers end up with a soft spot on the deck in front of the front foot straps). After installing the deck pads a guy from Sandy Point Progressive Sports in S. Daytona Beach FL suggested using a longer M8 bolt on my single bolt mast base to raise the mast base so the mast could not hit the ridge, that took a 3/4" shim to accomplish. Now the mast will compress the dual density deck pad just a little near the ridge, and then meets up flat with the rest of the deck pad between the ridge and rail.
And the new deck padding prevents wear on the sole of my booties, wore out the soles on one pair.