How To Buy a Used Surfboard: A Rider Shack Guide
Buying a used surfboard can be a great way to save money but can also be a daunting task. This article will cover the basics of how to buy a used surfboard, where to buy a used surfboard, and what to look(out) for when choosing a board. We’ll equip you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision and get a used surfboard at a great bargain.
What Kind of Used Surfboard Should I Buy?
The first step when buying a used surfboard is to be honest with yourself and correctly assess your ability. Is this your first surfboard? Are you a weekend warrior? Looking for a board to thrash on Indo reefs? Choose the right board for your skill-level! For a more in-depth rundown on how to choose the right surfboard, check out our handy guide. Buying the wrong surfboard is frustrating and can end up costing you more money in the long run, and might even make you give up on surfing all together.
Where to Buy a Used Surfboard
Once you’ve figured out the type of used surfboard you want to buy, the next step is to start the hunt. When searching for the perfect used surfboard, there are three primary options to consider: surf shops, classified ads, and garage sales. Below, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each of these options.
Buying a Used Board at a Surf Shop
As you might expect, surf shops know what to look for when selling or consigning used surfboards. Like buying a certified used car from a dealership, there is a level of quality you can expect when buying a used surfboard from a surf shop. Most shops that sell second-hand surfboards thoroughly examine their boards, have a keen eye for quality, and ensure that their used boards are in decent condition. Additionally, buying a used board from a surf shop offers you the ability to check out a board in-person. Viewing and feeling a board in-person is the best way determine its condition. Buying a used board at a surf shop might not always be the cheapest option, but the security of knowing you’re buying a board from a qualified retailer can be worth the steeper price tag. Here at Rider Shack, we’ve developed a star-rating system that helps online buyers make more informed purchases. All of our used boards sold online and in-store are rated on a scale of 1-5 stars based on their conditions. Here’s a quick breakdown of our star-rating system:
1 STAR
These surfboards have seen some pretty serious wear and tear. They often have issues like open dings, buckle repairs, extreme pressure dents, fin-box replacements, severe discoloration, delamination, etc. However, these boards are priced accordingly and often run anywhere between $50-$150. This is the most cost-efficient, though short-term solution to finding a surfboard, but often demands some repair work.
2 STAR
These surfboards generally show signs of discoloration, homemade ding repairs, medium pressure denting, chips, and cracks, but are often water-tight. The chips and cracks found on these boards are easier fixes requiring a bit of Sun Cure or Session Saver. These boards usually range from $150-$275 and are a solid option for someone looking to get out in the water without having to conduct extensive repairs.
3 STAR
These surfboards have been used, but certainly not abused. Mild pressure dents, professionally repaired dings, slight discoloration, and aesthetic surface fractures are the worst issues you’ll find with these boards. 3 star boards are water-tight and are a fantastic option for someone looking to grab a great board that’s been shown a little love. 3 star-rated surfboards generally range in price from $275-375, offering a fantastic cost-efficient option for a surfboard with lots of life left in it!
4 STAR
These surfboards are often very lightly used or like new. 4 star used surfboards are often a result of someone grabbing a new surfboard in the wrong dimensions. These boards are often newer models that have very light pressure denting and no dings. While these boards run anywhere between $400-$575, they are a great way to find an almost new board at a discounted price. These boards are ideal for someone in the market for a high quality used board, and are a steal compared to purchasing a new board!
5 STAR
These surfboards are essentially brand new, and are often factory blemish boards with slight cosmetic inconsistencies. Generally, 5 star-rated used surfboards have never been in the water and show no signs of pressure dents, dings, or any other markers of use. These boards usually range in price from $575-$685, and are an excellent way to save some money on a brand-new surfboard!
Buying a Used Board Online
While the digital age offers many conveniences like online browsing and shopping, it also presents the possibility of deception. Photoshop and other photo-editing software can quickly transform a pressure-dinged beater into a gleaming, too-good-to-be-true beauty. Online classified reselling sites like Craiglist and LetGo are great resources for buying and selling used surfboards, but require a level of caution. Before you send that Venmo or click and add to cart, consider the price and purported condition of the board. If something seems off, it probably is. When possible, it’s best to browse online and buy in-person. However, if you don’t have the time or are committed to buying a board online, it’s best to buy from a reputable retailer rather than an individual seller.
Buying a Used Board at a Garage Sale
Oh, garage sales, home of treasures and trash. Garage sales are the wild west of surfboard buying—high risk, high reward. You might find a gem that a furious spouse simply wants out of the house for pennies on the dollar, or alternatively you might find yourself in a standoff against a hoarder with a board-shed steeped in sentimentality, packed with overvalued junk, and a reluctance to sell. This option does however present the possibility of bargaining. There’s still some value in face-to-face interactions! Unlike online buying, you can develop a rapport with a seller and maybe even grab that dream board for cheaper than its listing price.
Dinged, Clean, or Somewhere In-between
Regardless of where you buy one, most used surfboards will show signs of use, some more than others. It’s crucial to inspect the surfboard for potential problems that could end up costing more in ding repair than the board is worth. Below are some common dings to look for when buying a used surfboard.
Pressure Denting:
These are small dents usually on the deck (sometimes on the bottom) of a surfboard. Pressure dents occur when hands, feet, and knees, press into the glass of board; this can happen from repeated pop-ups, duck-dives, and airs. Pressure dents are to be expected with most used surfboards and will happen quickly after even minimal use. Unless the pressure denting is severe, there is nothing to be concerned with. If the surfboard is severely dented on the top or the bottom you will want to check for cracks through the glass around the stringer and for any delaminating. Some people ask if it’s worth repairing a pressure dent. The answer is usually, no. Cutting and filling a pressure dent will often add unnecessary weight to a board, and can compromise the integrity of the surrounding glass
Delaminating:
Delaminating is a symptom in surfboards where the fiberglass separates from the foam causing a bubble or soft spot where the fiberglass can be pushed up and down. If not repaired properly delaminating will spread over time making the surfboard weaker and more susceptible to breaking. A delaminating ding repair can run anywhere from $50 to over $150 depending on how big the delam is.
Chips and Cracks:
While not always possible with used surfboards it is best to try to find a used surfboard that is water tight. You’ll want to inspect a board for any chips and cracks in the glass. If you can feel a crack with your finger nail chances are water is seeping into the foam of the surfboard. These types of repairs can run $35 and up.
Discoloration or Waterlogging:
You will want to check the surfboard for signs of yellowed foam or brown spots. This is a sign of water damage and if the board isn’t repaired can lead to delaminating and decreased buoyancy of the board.
Broken Fins and Fin Boxes:
Broken and cracked fin boxes and loose fins are common with used surfboards and can be expensive to fix. If the surfboard has glassed on permanently attached fins you should inspect each fin, make sure there are no cracks around the base and that the fin is not loose. If the surfboard uses an FCS or Future fin box make sure there are no cracks around the box and that all screws still work and are not stripped. Fin repairs start at about $50 per box. A used surfboard with 3 bad fins could cost over $150 to fix.
Buckled Surfboards:
The final thing to check for on a used surfboard are stress cracks or creases that run perpendicular to the stringer. Stress cracks or creases that are severe indicate damage caused by hard impact and most likely have weakened the board. A long crease usually around the nose or mid-section of the board can be a sign that a board is about to snap. A buckled surfboard can cost over $150 to repair. It is almost never worth it to buy a buckled or creased board. Like a broken nose, even after a solid, professional repair, a once-buckled board is likely to break again. There is also a high possibility that the board will not ride the way it used to.
Don’t Get Discouraged!
Don’t be discouraged! A used surfboard with a couple minor dings is an excellent way to get a good board a great price. There are plenty of ding repair kits and surfboard repair guides out there that can lead you through the process of fixing your board yourself. For larger or more extensive repairs, consider using a professional ding repair service.
Ready to hit the streets and find your dream used surfboard? Get out there! If you’re feeling a little lazy or pressed on time, take a peek at our hand-picked selection of used boards and mind-surf the day away!
Found an awesome used board on the web? Scored a new stick from a garage filled with webs? Share your story and let us know in the comments below!