Buying Used Surfboards Can Ease Your Wallet

Used surfboards are boards that have been pre-loved, or in this case, surfed by somebody else. Lets face it the reality…not all of us can afford to pay for a spanking new …Lost Speed Demon III surfboard for over USD $500.

That’s the same price as getting rid of some of the debt hanging over many of our heads!

Much like buying a secondhand car, there can be some great advantages and reasons to buy used surfboards, and again like a car, there can be some disadvantages, although not as potentially costly as a dud car.

The Advantages of Used Surfboards

Lets start by discussing some of the advantages of buying a used surfboard.

Cost

The biggest advantage of a used surfboard is obvious, I just said it, the cost! The surfboard you are buying has been used, dinged and carried around. It is no longer what it was worth when it was shiny and brand new in the surf shop.

The cost of used surfboards is therefore going to reflect age, condition, damage (more on this later), style and whether it was custom made. If the price of a second hand surfboard is too cheap to believe it may well have problems that you can’t see! Unless of course it is being sold by a vindictive ex-girlfriend in a post bust-up garage sale…Trust me it happens : ).

Great For Beginners

Used surfboards are perfect for beginners and kids. The main reason is both beginners and kids have a habit of running into rocks and other surfers when learning, and these misadventures will all leave their mark on a surfboard.

Kids will also outgrow their surfboards quite quickly, both physically and from a talent point of view. So if you buy them used surfboards in the early stages of their surfing career you can save up to buying them a nicer board when they are older.

You Get To Try Out Various Brands, Designs, Sizes, and Shapes

Used surfboards can also be a great way to determine whether you really like a mini-mal, a longboard or a fish. It can be quite costly to lash out all that cash on a new surfboard only to discover that it doesn’t suit you.

It Doesn’t Hurt So Much Cause It’s Not So Precious

Much like a brand new car, there is nothing worse than seeing your brand new stick with a pressure dent or ding. The more dents and dings your surfboard has the less it will be worth.

But if you get a used surfboard with a few dents and marks already on it, you won’t feel so bad when you add to the collection, which you will. I’ve seen grown men cry when their brand new board goes over the rocks, or collides with some hapless learner.  I wouldn’t want that to be you!

You Might Get Other Accessories Thrown In For Free

Sometimes, the owner of the second hand surfboard might let you take their board cover or leash as well. These accessories are worth quite a few extra bucks, so there is an additional saving for you as well.

The Disadvantages Of Used Surfboards

Now it’s on to some of the reasons you might not want to buy a used surfboard.   I will mention some things you should look out for and do to help reduce getting ripped off by a seller.

Damage

We have already established said that it is almost impossible to buy used surfboards in pristine condition. These surfboards will inevitably have dings, dents and marks.

What you don’t want to see are holes, or cracks that are not totally sealed up. This type of wear and tear will cause your used surfboard to absorb water and deteriorate even more rapidly. Make sure that the lines (i.e the rails,nose, tail etc.) of the surfboard are still well maintained, along the sides and from deck to bottom.

Remember, even though it’s less money, that we are still forking out cash to buy a used surfboard. Money is money…you want to pay for something that will last more than a few months.

Hidden Damage

One way that scum bags hide potentially costly surfboard damage is to try and sell their used surfboards covered in wax.

If the owner will not take the wax off for you, you should seriously think about going elsewhere. A big lump of wax could be hiding a nasty crack or hole that has been letting water seep into the surfboard.

This is not a good thing.

Discolouration

Surfboards do start to discolour and turn yellow after hours in the sun and salt water. Discolouration is a natural process that will happen to all surfboards, new and used surfboards.

However discolouration isn’t always that serious. It just doesn’t look that hot.

If a second hand surfboard still feels reasonably light and it’s only discolouration you’re looking at then the surfboard may still be a great buy.

If it is heavy then that yellow tinge, that might even be starting to turn brown, may be the effects of water-logging. If the surface looks to be porous or as if salt water has been getting in, re-check the entire board before making your finally buying decision.

Water Logging

The older the surfboard, the more it has been used, then the more waterlogged it will be. This is a natural part of the surfboard aging process that is pretty much unavoidable.

The down side to water logging is that the surfboard will get heavier and will not glide through the water as well as a newer and lighter one. However, if you are a total beginner you may not notice this anyway, and therefore can still purchase the used surfboard.

As a tip, if a surfboard is very waterlogged I would never pay more than $50 USD for it. It’s already on its way out and you will therefore only get about a year out of it.  Buy it cheap and ride it till it dies!

Not A Perfect Fit

One problem with used surfboards is that they have not been built for your exact height and weight.

While it is ok for beginners to be roughly in the ballpark, as you get better you will be wanting a surfboard that is better suited to your build, surfing abilities or wave choices.

Surfing a sucky point break requires different equipment to that which is required for a spilling, slow breaking wave often found at long line-ups such as Noosa, Rincon and Malibu.

No Beach Cred

This can be a serious problem for the kids and teens. A dinged up second hand surfboard just doesn’t look the same as one straight out of the factory or surf shop.

Kids hate being teased..and if they are the only one in their group of friends with an old, cheap second hand surfboard they will be.  So just keep this in mind if you are a parent looking to buy your son or daughter a used surfboard.

Older people, however, with a little less ego and more sense probably won’t be so concerned.  I see old guys in the line up with old boards that they would never trade in for a brand, spanking new stick.

It Might Be Stolen

This will always be an issue when buying used items, and is just as applicable when it comes to used surfboards.  This can also be a worry if you live in a beach area with undesirables.

Yes, some people will steal surfboards and try to sell them. This can become a real issue if you then take that surfboard out the next day to your local break and some guy accuses you of having his surfboard! Yep, it can and does happen.

So if the seller looks desperate and dodgy he might be…but remember never judge a book by it’s cover!

Overall used surfboards can be an excellent way for beginners and kids to learn how to surf and can save you a whole bundle of cash, so long as there isn’t considerable damage that could take the end cost to that of a new surfboard.

There are always going to be great bargains around, it will just be a matter of knowing what type of surfboard you want and checking out the prospects carefully.

Learn More About Used Surfboards

Are You Wondering Where You Can Find Used Surfboards For Sale?
Finding used surfboards for sale can be as easy as looking around your own neighbourhood.

Where To Buy Used Surfboards Online
You can buy used surfboards online from a variety of online stores including Ebay.

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