Used Surfboard Buyers and Sellers GuideUsed Surfboards Buyers and Sellers Guide Many times we are asked, “I am looking to buy a used surfboard but don’t know where to start, what is a good deal, and what will work for me?” Often people will email us wondering what will help them sell their boards faster. We decided to put together a guide to help buyers and sellers reach their goals. Also, if you have anything to share that that might help someone else, email us, and we will add it to this list. (Doing so will automatically enter you to win one of our free surfboard giveaways.) 1st time buyer Congratulations first for having the smarts to invest in a used board for your first board. People learn to surf in a variety of ways, and there seems to be no one proven way that works best. I have friends who went to surf schools and started on soft tops and others who started young and taught themselves by going out everyday. I bought a used Al Merrick at a Thrift Store in Morro Bay and had to get drilled 500 times before I asked for some help. From my experiences, what works best for beginners is a board that can be managed but big enough to catch waves. You will probably grow out of this board, which is why it is smart to buy one used. This type of board, often referred to as an egg or funboard, is anywhere between 7 to 8 feet. The nose is round and they are pretty thick, making it easier to catch waves, yet it is still small enough to be carried, controlled, and turned. New funboards range from $500-800. Used ones can be found from $100-500. The price will vary depending on the condition of the board. Good condition boards are ones that are water tight. If the board has dings that are not sealed or delamination (pockets between the foam and the glassing), the board is at risk of taking in water. When water gets into the board it becomes weaker, and is more likely to break. When you are inspecting a used board, look for cracks and bubbles. If they are small or have already been repaired, buy the board. If not, realize it will cost between $25-100 for the repair, depending on the size, and ask the seller if they factored that into the price. I have had many boards repaired. They still surf the same and it is a lot cheaper and better for the environment. Also, it has taught me about the materials and parts and care for my boards. I now love fixing my own dings and take a lot of pride in doing so. It started because I bought an old board from someone and took it to Ding King to get it repaired. I was fascinated by the process and respect surfboard doctors all around. Transition Buyer As you start to catch waves on your funboard, it is likely you will want to try something different. Different styles, different swells, different moods, different goals will all dictate the direction you will want to go when buying your next board. We still recommend buying a good used board for this transition. If going down in size is the way you want to go, you are in luck as used shortboards are the easiest to find. Besides watching for dings and delamination, keep an eye out for broken noses and cracks around fin boxes. If you decide to go up in size and start longboarding, check for dings around the leash plug. A used shortboard can be ridden without a nose. As long as the nose isn’t more than a foot broken off and the repair job stayed consistent with the board’s rocker, it will ride right along with the rest. Plus, all the guys I have seen riding noseless boards are ripping. If you spot a ding around the fin boxes or leash plug, just like a regular ding, check out how much water has seeped in. If it is darker than the rest of the board, that means there is water in there. Sit the board in a way so the water can run out. In a few days, if the area is still damp, use a hairdryer to dry it out. Squirt a bunch of solar rez in there and sand it down. If the area is too large, bring it to a professional. New Bug Buyer There comes a time in every surfer’s journey when they are itching for a new board. I think I cried when I got mine. Now surfers have a chance to buy boards with more sustainable materials and processes. My Biofoam board with bamboo cloth is the best board I have ever had. It is fast, turns quick and has yet to acquire a pressure ding (the round craters where the foam has indented), a testament to its strength. Keep in mind that often new boards just don’t work out for some people. There are plenty of boards out there that although are used, are very close to being new. Keep an open mind and have fun! Seller’s Tips The boards that sell the fastest are used funboards and used longboards. If you are trying to sell off your used shortboard, here are a few tips that might work. 1. Put a picture of a hot chick in the photo. 2. Keep your price competitive. Maybe include in your add the price for a new board. 3. Take a lot of photos of the board. You can change the photos out if you find you are not getting a lot of responses. 4. Include the dimensions and any extra information that could help the buyer. 5. Attach a cool video of the board, and it doesn’t have to be of your surfing it. 6. Spam your friends the link to your add. You never know whos cousins’ boss’ brother is looking for a deal on a board. | 
